Kid's Craft: Make a Photo Picture Display Easel

Giving a small picture of yourself to your parent or grandparent is a great idea, but giving it on a great photo easel is even better. Using simple materials, this picture easel can be used as a gift, holiday decoration, or you can keep it for yourself and display a picture of your best friend or favorite pet. Follow the directions below to learn how to craft this picture photo easel.

Materials Needed for the Picture Easel Craft

This kid's craft needs only a few basic materials. You will need three wooden tongue depressor sticks and one popsicle stick. These are often sold in craft stores. You will also need something to color the wooden sticks. You can use markers, crayons, or acrylic craft paint. A small scrap of felt fabric and a piece of sturdy construction paper or card stock. You will need scissors, clear-drying craft glue, and a clean work surface. Of course, you also need a small photograph.

Creating the Photo Easel Craft

Begin by coloring all the wooden sticks in any way you would like. If you paint them, be sure to let the paint dry completely before continuing.

After the sticks are colored, use the glue to form a V shape with two of the tongue depressor sticks. Then glue the popsicle stick across the V about halfway down. This will be the ledge your photo backing will rest on.

The next step creates the hinge for the top of the easel that allows it to stand up. Begin by cutting out a small strip of the felt fabric. Fold it in half lengthwise and glue one end to the back of the narrow part of the V formed by the tongue depressor sticks. Glue the other side to the top of the last wide craft stick. Allow this to dry completely before continuing.

Now the base of the kid's craft picture easel is complete. The next step is to make the back piece for your photograph. There are two ways to do this.

The first method creates a permanent stand attached to the easel. Different photographs or small pictures can be attached to this and changed periodically. To make this type, simply cut out a square or rectangle of the card stock or construction paper and glue it to the V or wide craft sticks above the popsicle stick platform. This can be colored or you can decorate the edges if you want.

The second method is a more permanent way of putting one picture on display. Create a construction paper backdrop or frame for your photograph and glue the picture itself onto the paper. Then you can glue the whole thing to the easel as described above.

This kid's craft photo or picture easel is a great gift for family members. It is also a fun craft for friends to do when exchanging school photos with each other.