Inexpensive Arts and Crafts for Kids: Useful and Decorative DIY Drying Arts Rack

Pam Gaulin
Parents can make their own very cheap drying rack for kids' arts and crafts by following these simple instructions. Young children, especially toddlers who love to make art and dabble in crafts also like to play with those objects. They want to immediately display their artistic masterpieces on the refrigerator or on the wall. With art sand crafts, they want to play with them, way before the glue is dry.

in order to keep the paint and the glue off of the refrigerator, the walls, the furniture, and everywhere else, parents of miniature artists need a safe place to dry those objects.

Where to Put the DIY Arts and Crafts Drying Rack for Kids' Crafts

First, scope out a location for this DIY arts and crafts drying rack for kids' crafts.

The location for the DIY hanging drying rack needs to be out of reach of a toddler or preschooler. It should not be above any piece of furniture that invites climbing. Pick a place along a wall, or near a set of stairs, where there is no way to climb, to hang the DIY art drying rack.

Another place the DIY art drying rack for kids' arts and crafts is across the ceiling of a room, as long as it does not interfere with a light or ceiling fan.

Materials for the DIY Arts and Crafts Drying Rack for Kids' Crafts

The materials you need for the DIY hanging drying rack are very minimal and very cheap.

The first cheap household item you need is some sort of rope. A clothesline rope can be used to make the DIY drying rack for kids crafts. You can use a rope of any length, as long as it is clean. You could also use any other type of sturdy craft string you have on hand.

if you happen to have extra curtain ties, or curtain ties that you no longer use, these too can serve as a cheap material in this DIY project, since you already have it on hand. Recycling an unused curtain tie will also add a decorative element to this DIY project.

You will also need a set of colorful clothespins for this DIY project. The clothespins will be used to hang the drying artwork. Tip: If you only have plain clothespins, have the toddler help you decorate the clothespins. Use paint, markers, glue and any other fun arts and crafts items to add some color to the plain clothespins.

This DIY project also requires two or three hook screws. This type of hardware can be found where you would purchase picture hanging supplies. A box of assorted screw hooks and simiiar hanging items can be purchased at the dollar store or at Wal-mart for under $6.

How to Make the DIY Arts and Crafts Drying Rack for Kids' Crafts

Once you have found the location where you want to place the DIY art drying rack for kids crafts

Next, place the screw hook into the wall. Use a screw hook with a large hook.

Tie one end of the clothesline rope to the hook, securing one of the DIY Arts and Crafts Drying rack.

Also place a hook in the wall or ceiling to catch the center of the rope. This will help keep it somewhat loose, but without too much slack. loop, don't tie the rope around the center hook.

Finally, place the third hook on the other end of the wall. If hanging in the center of the room, the final hook will go on the opposite wall.

Add extra hooks in between the other three hooks if the artwork is too heavy and the rope is too droopy.

The best part of the DIY arts and crafts drying rack is that while the art is drying, you and your child can enjoy seeing the art work. The art drying rack can also be used a completely decorative element. Hang up seasonal drawings and other pieces of artwork created by your child, and rotate the pieces frequently.

Published by Pam Gaulin - Featured Contributor in Arts & Entertainment and Lifestyle

Pam Gaulin is a freelance writer, journalist (B.A., Journalism), new (and next!) media writer and artist. Associated Content named her 2007 Content Producer of the Year. "First for Women" magazine featured...  View profile

7 Comments

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  • Charlie K1/24/2008

    Super idea.

  • 3lilangels1/22/2008

    wonderful idea, love this 5 stars!!!

  • Carmella Mae1/20/2008

    Cool idea! I'll have to share this idea with my daughter who is the proud mommy of two budding artist.

  • Paula Myers1/19/2008

    This would come in really handy!

  • Lenora Murdock1/19/2008

    This is the perfect way to dry art.

  • Carol Bengle Gilbert1/18/2008

    I regret not doing something like this when my kids were preschoolers.

  • Pearlygates1/18/2008

    Great idea! My daughter works at a daycare, I will pass this on.

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