Quick and Easy Crafts: Paper Picture Frame

For my Mom's birthday a few years ago, I asked my preschooler if he would like to make her a present for her special day. He shook his head and said we should just buy her something. I smiled and told him that his Mormor (Mom's Mom in Norwegian) loved everything he made, but stubbornly, he shook his head. I was in shock and was not going to let this go. I was determined to get him interested in something!

We packed up and went to our local Michaels Craft Store. We walked in the door and suddenly we both had an idea! Stickers! He saw the assortment of foam stickers and went crazy. He loved stickers! Heck, most preschoolers love stickers. They can stick them to just about anything and have fun doing it. Here is what he came up with:

You will need the following supplies to make this craft:

- 4x6 Paper picture frame or you can use a simple Wood Frame if you prefer.
- Any Style Foam Stickers
- Small alphabet beads for the banner
- Thread or thin yarn (single strands of embroidery floss work great)
- Needle
- Medium size bowl
- Scissors
- Imagination
- Hot Glue/Glue Gun (optional)

This is a wonderful way for little kids to show off their imagination. Have your child look around and see which foam stickers he or she likes best. My son preferred the beach pack because he loved going to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk with us. When I told him he could use his stickers to make a craft, any way he liked, he smiled. He whispered to me that he didn't want to get in trouble for putting stickers on anything other than paper. Preschoolers are so cute!

Now that the stickers have been selected, ask your little one how they would like their picture frame to look. Before letting them peel the backings off, help them to organize their 'scene'. Since we are using a paper frame, the stickers will tear the paper if they need to be shifted. Once the scene is set, help your little one peel the backing off and adhere the stickers to their frame. My son made a beach scene all on his own. He used a little boy, put sunglasses on him and has him holding a surfboard! He even included little waves to make it more realistic. If you are using the wood frame, it might take a bit of rubbing to get the stickers on. Having fun and using imagination is the key to this project. Keep it fun and lighthearted. We are not aiming at perfection; we are aiming for "I want to do this again Mommy!"

Do not place anything along the top of the frame. This is where the 'banner' will go.

Pour the alphabet beads into the medium size bowl. Since this was Mormor's birthday, we decided on "Happy Birthday Mormor" with red hearts as separators, for our banner. After all the letters are picked from the bowl and laid out on the table, it is time to string them. My son was excited because he got to help. It was nice to see!

Take your string and measure it up to the line of beads on the table for your banner. Keep in mind that this will stretch from corner to corner, if long enough, or just over the top if it is a shorter message. Cut a few inches longer than what your banner is for extra length when you hang it. (See above photo as a guide).

Take your tape and secure the string to the back of the frame. Using tape is a good way to make sure it is even. After it is centered, or the way you like it, put a dab of hot glue to secure it.

There you are! An adorable frame for your kids to give as a present for Grandma or Grandpa! My son, who is almost 9 now, still looks at it and is proud that he made it 'all by himself' for his Mormor.

Sources:
Personal Experience
Michaels Craft Store
My Son's Imagination

For another quick and easy kid's craft idea, please visit: Fast and Easy Homemade Cards for Easter