Anyone who has younger children will be familiar with the art and craft that comes home day by day, week by week, term by term. Children get a lot out of creative and crafty activities, but the results are often… mixed.
Having said that, showing off a child’s art sends a message that you value their work, and are proud of them, and that goes a long way towards building their self-esteem. So by all means, admire and cherish pictures by your children that catch a moment in time or just make you smile.
You don’t have to keep it all
For anyone who needs to hear this today, you do not need to keep all your children’s artwork forever . You know your offspring best, but most parents will agree that it’s polite to wait a little while at least before quietly shuffling unwanted paintings into the bin and dismantling junk models into the recycling.
It’s a sad truth that a lot of kid’s art materials don’t last forever. Once a piece gets tatty and faded, the decision to throw it away is much easier – so even art that you don’t like will die a natural death. And the artists themselves might even let you know that a picture they did a year ago is now ‘embarrassing’ and needs to go.
One other thing you might need to hear: the stream of artwork does reduce as your children get older.
Displaying children’s artwork
A display of artwork tells your child that you value and appreciate their efforts. Even if your children’s work jars with your home’s aesthetic, consider the pay-off in terms of their self-esteem. Look for pieces with colours that pop, or images that recur. Putting pictures of (for example) penguins or lighthouses together can make a striking display. Also, let your children tell you which pieces they are proud of, and make a special fuss of those.
You can go all out and make an entire wall display – or limit your gallery to a few choice pieces, changed as needed.
Ideas for using children’s artwork
You could send select bits of art to interested grandparents and godparents.
Children’s pictures might be suitable for use as wrapping paper, or to cover a notebook. Or trim pictures and paste them on to blank greetings cards or gift tags.
You might also scan or photograph a graphic you particularly like to print on tote bags or tea towels.
Taking good photos of children’s artwork
For art you do like, take a photo as soon as it comes home while it’s looking its best.
Crazy Craft Lady has some tips for getting a good picture of your children’s art.
Storing children’s mementos
A large portfolio for each child will allow you to stash art you don’t want to display for the time being. Depending on your child’s output and interest in art, you could decide to limit each child to a single portfolio, sifting out pieces as it fills up.
Self-storage is the perfect place to keep things – like your children’s precious painted memories – that you reckon you’ll want some day, but don’t need immediately. We’ve got some storage tips for artists that might be useful.
The cost of self-storage varies depending on how much you are storing – but when you think in terms of saving space at home, self-storage can represent good value for money. It’s worth checking every so often that you’re not overpaying for self-storage insurance. It’s quick and easy to get a quote from Store and Insure if you’re shopping for self-storage insurance.
