Children's Artwork

"What do I do with the artwork my kids bring home?"

I hear this question asked the most from my clients that have school aged children. I have several options but first I must say this...

You don't have to keep it ALL! Most of the time it is we, the parents, that are more sentimental about the works of art that our little Picasso's bring home. Take action before the piles take over! Keep only your favorites.

Sit down with your school aged children and work with them to pick out some of their favorites and get rid of the rest. Explain to them what you are doing and why. "Let's sit down and go through some of your art from last year. We need to pick out your favorites to make room for your new art." For the preschool aged children feel free to do this on your own, keeping a few of your favorites.

OK, now on to the storage part...

Yes, I know that is a pizza box. It's getting late and I am hungry. No really, a pizza box is a great (and did I mention cheap) way to store all of your kid art. Just go to your local pizza place and ask to buy a couple of boxes from them. If you are a regular like myself they may just give them to you. What's even better is that you can store the artwork by size... small, medium, or large. Label your child's name on the outside of the box with your handy little labeler. (we will talk about labelers later)

If you want to display Junior's art then the Li'l DaVinci art frame may be just right for you. (No, plastering the art all over the refrigerator is not an option here.) These frames come in sizes 81/2" x 11" and 12" x 18". They can store 50-100 pieces of art. When Junior brings a new piece of art home you just slip it in front of the frame. When the frame gets full you know it is time to purge.

Here is another option from Pottery Barn Teen. This three-box panel frame flips out so you can quickly change things around and add new pictures. However, it does not come with the storage capabilities as the Li'l DaVinvi frame.

I previously posted about using job ticket holders to create your own little art gallery. Once, again a cheap and quick way to show of some artwork.

Last but not least, while I was writing this I popped over to Jeri's wonderful sight and saw that she has posted a few great options herself. Go check it out!