Kids’ art: precious, important … and everywhere. We all love the masterpieces our kids create. But if we kept it all, we’d be starring in the next season of Hoarders. Creative efforts deserve to be displayed, shared and archived, but it’s hard to keep up when your preschooler churns out multiple pieces per day. We’ve found the most fun and innovative ways to display and archive all those works, from cool ideas for framing to archiving apps.
Radical rods
Andrea, author of the Life, Love, Larson blog came up with this super-easy display system. She used tension rods and curtain clips to create four sets of displays in her mudroom. This is perfect for anywhere you have thick molding around doors in a hallway. And she said the whole set-up only cost around $10! Check out her post for instructions.
Fresh-baked art
Check out these repurposed cookie sheets from the Budget Wise Home blog! Heidi, the blog’s author, spray-painted metal cookie sheets in bright colors then hung them together on the wall, creating cute, magnetic frames in which to hang pictures. We bet you could find fun shapes in cookware at the thrift store to make this display. Check out her full tutorial at the link.
Keepy
This app stores photos and videos as well as artwork. You can even create a recording of yourself or the child talking about each piece of art. Share Keepy with friends and family, and they can also add comments via voice recording. Your less-techy contacts who don’t have smartphones can view the art via email or your Keepy webpage. Sync with Dropbox for backup. Up to 31 photos per month are free, recordings unlimited.
Cool collage posters
Take pictures of your favorite masterpieces and create a photo collage of up to 30 images of kid creations. Order it in poster-size, frame it, and hang on the wall for everyone to enjoy year-round. Make one collage per grade level for each child, or incorporate a year’s worth of art from all the kids into one poster. Most online photo stores offer this option, like this one from Snapfish.com. You can also put together a book comprised of photos of art.
Artkive
This app not only stores pictures of your kid’s artwork, but it also automatically adds the child’s name, grade and artwork title on a “plaque” at the bottom of the picture. It stores it in the cloud as back-up, with no limit as to the number of images you can keep. Share with friends and family within your “share” circle. You can also order custom books and other products through Artkive.
RA grand gallery
Julie, the author of the Less Than Perfect Life of Bliss blog created this fun art display. She painted empty frames and arranged them on a wall. Binder clips nailed to the wall inside each frame holds a rotating gallery of art. Check out her post for the details on how she did it!
Lovely vinyl frames
The Etsy shop Huckleberry Creation makes these fun vinyl frames, perfect for a door! These are custom made and come in a variety of colors. Place the frames on a door or wall and add the art by using wall putty, pins or hooks. Enter the code "parentmap10off" for an exclusive discount for ParentMap readers! (Expires November 30, 2014.)
Canvsly
Canvsly is an app for storing, organizing and sharing your kids’ artistic efforts. With this app, you can create a timeline for each child and see how their talent grows over each school year. This service is private by default, but you can share with friends via Facebook and Twitter. Canvsly also partners with Fujifilm for converting your stored works into personalized gifts.
Presto-change-o frames
How about these Easy Change Art Frames from Home AXCESS? Hang these on the wall and open the door to insert artwork up to 8.5 by 11 inches into the front pocket for display. Each frame also features a ¾ inch compartment for storing extra art! Hangs vertically or horizontally with sawtooth hangers. Could displaying art be any easier?
Art My Kid Made
Available as an app in the iPhone store, this is another tool for organizing, archiving and sharing your kiddo’s creations. Share via Facebook, Twitter, and Evernote. You can make sure nothing is lost by backing up the files in Dropbox and labeling each piece with Evernote. Other fun features include the ability to create and print postcards of art and send to friends via Pop Carte. Art My Kid Made also chooses an “Artist of the Day” daily to reward kids for their creativity, and you can look at your personal gallery on a virtual fridge door.
Artsonia
Artsonia is a free Android app available in the app store and on Google Play. This educational app is free, and is perfect for teachers and parents. Simply create an account, then photograph, upload and store your child’s masterpieces. Once the art is in the online gallery, friends and family can leave comments and order keepsakes featuring their child’s artwork.
Paint and clothespins
Jen of the I Heart Organizing Blog made this beautiful “Where Art Thou” board for hanging art. She painted trim and clothespins for a colorful, stylish look, but we think this would be just as cute with distressed wood and natural clothespins! Check out her detailed tutorial at her blog.
