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what to do with children’s artwork

home / family life / parenting / organization / what to do with children’s artwork
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what to do with children's artworkThis time of the year, I always seem to be drowning in my kids’ artwork.

The nifty system of organization I started in September has long expired, and piles of paper surround us. So with some quick thinking and crazy determination, a few years ago I devised a plan.

We had to reclaim our home and get out from under the piles of paper.ย  And surprisingly, it was much easier than I thought.

It took all of a few minutes to organize and then appropriately sort Maddy, Owen, and Cora’s year’s worth of artwork and school papers.

Here’s the skinny. . .

  • What to do with Children’s Artwork (or. . . 3 Cool Ways to Use Children’s Artwork and Come Out From Under the Sea of Masterpieces from School):ย ย  Sure, putting artwork on mugs, or taking photos of each and every one and then saving them to the computer are totally cool ideas.

But the reality is that I have about five years’ worth of family photos to organize and put into photo albums, so why would I add to my mile-long to-do list?ย  I need quick, practical, and cheap.

Because frankly, it gets expensive to order a photo mug, t-shirt, or mouse pad for every family member at every holiday.

The here and now is that come June, we have piles of Maddy, Owen, and Cora’s artwork everywhere.

 

Here are the 3 cool ways we use our kids’ artwork:

 

And that’s that! Three ways–of many possibilities–for using our kids’ artwork in practical, keep-mom-sane kind of ways.ย  A Quick Trick that works for us and has for the last few years!

I’d love to hear how your family manages the art work pile-up.ย ย  I know there are a million ways, so please do share!!

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About amy mascott

teacher, mother, dreamer. lover of literacy, fun learning, good food, and three crazy-cool kids. finder of four-leaf clovers | dc metro ยท http://about.me/amymascott
tweet with me: @teachmama

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Michelle McInerney | MollyMoo

    June 7, 2012 at 7:23 am

    I set up the International Children’s Gallery for just this purpose – a loving online space for showcasing the imaginative artwork produced by our children, at home and at school. This website is dedicated to honouring childrenโ€™s imaginations and accepts submissions from infancy to age 13 – and most importantly the gallery is not there to judge or curate โ€“ ALL childrenโ€™s artwork is valued and published. Itโ€™s real, itโ€™s possible, itโ€™s theirs.

    The site hosts an online gallery, where children themselves, parents, teachers etc. can upload their original work, in four simple steps. Artwork can include drawing, painting, crafts, poetry etc.
    http://www.childrensgallery.org

    Reply
  2. sarah

    June 7, 2012 at 1:30 pm

    So I totally used your Art Book idea a year or two ago and LOVE it for those small, flat, one-dimensional art projects and doodles. I keep it really easy by not separating by kid, and sometimes not even labeling which kid drew the picture, although I do try to do that much. It’s just an easy family art book. Thanks for that great idea! And, our stairwell going down to the basement is the art gallery in our house. How fun to make it your garage walls!

    Reply
  3. Lindsey Bell

    June 7, 2012 at 3:01 pm

    I LOVE the garage idea! Thanks so much for sharing:)

    Reply
    • amy

      June 8, 2012 at 9:06 am

      you got it, Lindsey! Thanks SO much for reading!!

      Reply
  4. Heather

    June 10, 2012 at 10:57 am

    Art explosion is right! Here’s another bunch of ideas for storing, displaying and making keepsakes (from a small fraction) of kids’ artwork. No mugs! http://www.happydoodles.com/blogs/news/6041344-63-of-parents-feel-guilty-about-ditching-kids-artwork

    Reply
    • amy

      June 10, 2012 at 7:26 pm

      Heather–thanks SO much for sharing! Your list of ideas are super–and yes!!! no mugs!

      Reply
  5. Scan My Life - Little Achievements

    July 16, 2012 at 6:23 am

    Hi I am a mother who has accumulated a lot of my child’s school, childcare/ nursery work and additional history paperwork over the years. As my mother previously did with my siblings and I whilst we grew up, I’ve tried to keep everything, but really there is only so much you can hold on to and store away. Keeping every record my child has accomplished each year has never been easier and efficient with storing and publishing all his achievements onto an interactive DVD. This way we can keep them forever, and view them whenever we choose to.
    I have completed a Diploma of Multimedia and have really taken an interest in creating colourful presentations with photos, videos and more.

    I see my line of work as both a pleasure and an important task to preserve your child’s artwork / school achievements for future generations, which means I have no room for error. I go to tremendous lengths to ensure that you’re 100% satisfied with your order. I take extra care in scanning your artwork and photos ensuring the best quality are scanned.

    Reply
  6. Brent Searle

    November 12, 2012 at 3:05 pm

    Children do see the world in a way adults all too often can’t or won’t. I work with a program that encourages children (K-6th grade) to portray in art the world around them, particularly what ties them to the earth — food, agriculture, forestry, the ocean/fishing, etc. Some of the artwork, chosen from thousands of entrants in a calendar contest, are available on our website and can be used with print-on-demand products for gifts, personal use, office promotions, or any other occasion.
    Thanks everyone, for your insightful posts.

    Reply

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