School is back in session in the Hamlin household! We’ve been busy stocking up on our lunchbox favorites and putting our tried and true organizational products to good use. Speaking of organization, last August I shared how we display kids’ art in our home, and I was blown away by the number of followers who reached out. Showcasing artwork brings so much pride to our girls and I love hearing that it does the same in other homes.
This year I’ve added even more techniques to my bag of art display tricks! Today I’m excited to share five easy and affordable ways to display kids’ art. Whether you’re reading this on day two of school with crafts already being sent home, or as a summer mom with a fridge full of colorings, there’s no “right time” to give these methods a try!
Why I Display Kids’ Art
When I was a teacher, I saw just how meaningful it was to my students when they saw their work displayed. I took great care to make sure I didn’t play favorites. I ensured that each student had the chance to have their work showcased if they felt comfortable with it. Even my high school and middle school students responded to the sense of pride that comes with feeling recognized and seen. So when I became a mom, there was no question that displaying kids’ art would be a priority in my home.
Methods that Don’t Work
As my own mom did, I imagine when you were a child your parents would rotate your masterpieces on the refrigerator. But, these days most fridges aren’t magnetic. And even if they are, there’s always the risk of the treasures falling off and fluttering to the ground each time the doors are opened. Additionally, my mom also had a corkboard to showcase things like report cards. But of course, that doesn’t work for one-of-a-kind treasures that you don’t want a hole in! Luckily, I’ve found other ways to display kids’ art that are just as easy…and even more appealing to the eye (in my opinion!)
Easy and Affordable Ways to Display Kids’ Art
We like to showcase Margaret and Catherine’s artwork in our designated art nook as well as in other rooms around our house. You could simply tape a drawing to the wall (as my girls like to do from time to time). However, there are so many “prettier” ways to display kids’ art. And the good news is that it doesn’t have to break the bank! All five ideas I’m sharing today are under $30!
1. Kids Art Frames
First up is one of the tried and true methods that I shared last year – using kids’ art frames. There are a variety of art frames to choose from. However, we’ve used these specific ones from Amazon to display kids’ art for a few years and we love them. They are available in white, black, brown, gold, and gray and in a variety of sizes and quantities. These frames also make it easy to highlight both horizontal and vertical creations. They are capable of storing 50-150 pieces of your child’s artwork. They’ve also proved to be very durable!
When I was a child, my mom was so good about selecting special pieces of ours and having them professionally framed. I’m sure that one day we will do this as well. But for now, these have been a great option for us!
2. Hanging Art with Clips
To address the challenge of irregular-sized artwork like puppets, 3D projects, and other non-standard shapes, we use these simple art clips. Hanging pieces with these clips is such an easy and affordable way to keep the display current. Plus, they are small and subtle, making them a great option in any room. We use these clips to display artwork in the girls’ bedrooms, the family room, and in our art nook. And the best part is they are super affordable. You can purchase a pack of 8 for under $9!
3. Display Kids’ Art on a Bookshelf
Margaret recently got an upgrade to a big girl bedroom and it has been so much fun playing around with her new decor. We have these acrylic floating bookshelves in the room and not only are they great for displaying books, but also her artwork! It’s so easy to simply place pieces directly on the bookshelf, providing another way for the child to feel proud of his or her hard work. Our specific floating shelves are from Amazon. They’re very affordable and available in different sizes and quantities.
4. Small Easels to Display Kids’ Art
Another quick, easy, and affordable method to display kids’ art is with small easels. I’m simply referring to the little easels you use to showcase plates, plaques, pictures, etc. You might even have some of these already lying around your home! This technique is especially useful for displaying irregular shapes that might not fit into a frame or even hang nicely from a hook.
5. Lucite Frames
Lastly, using lucite frames to display kids’ art is an easy and polished way to show off their treasured pieces. Simply slide a painting or drawing inside the clear frame and voila! You’ve just “fancied up” their artwork in seconds! There are tons of sizes and shapes of lucite frames. This makes it easy to find the perfect one to fit in your designated space. You can place these anywhere from a living room built-in shelf to a bedroom nightstand.
How to Select Art to Display
Okay, let’s address the elephant in the room. How do you choose which pieces to display? As a mom to two girls, I know how this struggle all too well. It can be a real challenge to find the balance between saving every piece of your child’s artwork and not allowing unnecessary clutter to build up. Personally, I like to showcase Margaret and Catherine’s current pieces as often as possible. I think that sense of pride truly is in full force when a creation is fresh and new.
I do my best to rotate these pieces often and then I have a “save” pile and a “discard” pile. It’s impossible to advise on what you should and shouldn’t save forever; I think that’s up to one’s own discretion. However, I would suggest not allowing your child to see any pieces being thrown away, as this can cause unnecessary heartache.
Showcasing Kids’ Artwork
Not only do I love showcasing both of our girls’ work, but I know how much it means to them as well! If you’re sick of the dreaded refrigerator clutter or you’re simply looking for fun ways to display kids’ art, I hope these ideas get your creative wheels turning. And if you do use one of these methods, I would love to hear about it in the comments below or via DM on Instagram. It truly brings me so much joy to see ideas like these being put to use!
For additional kid-related topics, be sure to also check out my lunchbox favorites, the ultimate Disney World packing list, my tried and true organizational products, and Margaret’s new big girl room.
kids art favorites
