when every piece of your child's artwork becomes a masterpiece

We love displaying our kids' art! But when they make dozens of projects a day, how do we cherish each one?

Do your kids (or nieces, nephews, grandkids, students, etc.) love to make artwork? It's an amazing form of hands-on experiential learning to develop skills that nurture expression of creativity and imagination.

During this phase where every cut, color and sticker becomes a new discovery, each project then becomes the next masterpiece. Soon your house is covered in paper, tape, googly eye and popsicle stick creations. You want to build on their inspiration, keeping confidence and curiosity strong...but the number of pieces has become too overwhelming to enjoy.

So where do you go with it all?

Tip #1 - Create a museum

Rather than turning your entire house into toddler crafts, transform one designated spot to become a rotating museum of art displays. Be it a blank wall, hallway, closet door, refrigerator or any other open space you see potential. Just make sure you stick to that area without creating a massive overflow.

When a lot of the art is stand-alone pieces that cannot be hung, desginate a space like shelves or mantels, keeping the spot limited and intentional.

When the space becomes full, rotate items one by one. You can even 'buy' the art that's being taken down to keep it fun!

Tip #2 - reusability is your best friend

No matter where you display a kid's artwork, as long as it's in plain view, they will beam with pride. The trick becomes when they want to create that experience repeatedly.

If you must hang something up, use a foundation that allows fluidity. This could be a wall clip, magnetic poster hanger, front-opening shadow box, clothespins or anything else your imagination brings.

Decorative and masking tape are single-use, but tends to be more gentle on paints and wood finishes to remove often. Magnets are extra helpful in being both reusable and easy to exchange items without any damage to the art or display space.

Whatever method you choose, keep short-term display in mind.

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." – Pablo Picasso

Tip #3 - sprinkle in useful + educational

For everyone, art is a form of expression. That should often remain open, freeform and unstructured. Every now and then, however, introducing a craft that your family can use is another great way to discover new skills, and create something that doesn't require a separate display area.

Think coasters, hot pads, frames, plant pots, placemats, bird houses...anything your family could put to use rather than buying something generic from a box store. Below is a photo of the bug box we made and are now using to raise monarchs in! Whatever style they enjoy, see if you can create something useable together that corresponds to their interests.

DIY Bug Box provides a craft + experiential learning!

Tip #4 - Include the artist in decision making

Introduce the rotating setup to your little. Lay out ALL of their artwork and projects in one space - this helps them see how much they truly have. Let them go through it, alone or together, and pick out their favorites. If there are some pieces they are uncertain about, create a box or bin that becomes the backup rotating items for display. Over time, you can privately go through the 'non-favorites' and reset. Recycle when possible, and if there are physical pieces attached, remove them to restock the craft supplies.

The biggest takeaway I've learned, and would like to help you avoid learning the hard way, is to never remove all items in secrecy. Taking everything they worked on, spent time on and were proud to share only breaks trust between you and your little artist. By allowing them to select their favorites to be displayed or in the 'next up' bin, you've shown them you respect their hard work and are trustworthy in them sharing it with you.

Be honest with them in advance that when the display area and next up bin is full, it's time for a rotation. Often the pieces in them are already old news and they are excited to replace them with the current masterpiece.

Tip #5 - let go of the guilt

You have been presciously gifted with the current masterpiece. Maybe it's been hung up, displayed on a shelf, hidden under your pillow or set on your nightstand for an extra special surprise. That. Is. Amazing. And your littles should truly feel it when you receive each one.

That does not mean you are required to keep it forever.

Fast forward ten, twenty years in your head (they move quickly enough as it is!) Every single piece that meant the world to them the moment it was created has been saved. The kids are grown and becoming independent. You hand them a box (or several) of hundreds of their projects you carefully stored away...

What do they do?

Maybe they go through each and every item with you, laughing over memories. Maybe they find a few favorites and ditch the rest. Maybe the amount is so large it overwhelms them and the entire collection gets trashed in fear of finding time to analyze it all.

The reality is, these little artists won't remember the pieces they made, rather the feelings they had while creating + sharing them with you.

When you've shown your kids that each piece is as special as the person who made it, they feel a stronger connection to you and a greater confidence to follow their inspiration. As the years fly by, it's those bonds they'll remember and want to keep, not the physical stuff that led you there.

Bottom line: you love your minis

Collecting a child's artwork stems from excitement, pride, cherishing the moments that disappear all too fast and, of course, your love for them. They show off their masterpieces for a short time; the long-lasting effect is how they felt creating and sharing it all. So appreciate each piece, keep it in a designated space while they stay excited over it, save the absolute favorites and let them go without any guilt.

Kids are a fantastic reminder for adults to view the world through younger eyes full of creativity, imagination and curiosity. Let's use their masterpieces to keep ourselves inspired to feel the same way!

*Check out this topic's instagram post for more visuals!

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