Post by Kim of Beehive Art

I know for a fact that children love to paint and print up a storm! As a parent and educator, I know it is hard to part with any of it. Below are some ideas I suggest to parents when they have a stack of beautiful paintings and have run out of wall space.

• Make a book: I love this because it keeps the collection together and protected. Arrange paintings in a neat stack, have your paper fastener or other hardware ready, and punch holes through the stack.  It’s simple and sweet. You and your child can revisit the paintings until you are ready to set them free.

• Wrap a present: This is truly the best wrapping paper ever.  You’ll never need to go out to buy a cheap roll again. Besides, it makes the gift you are giving even more special.  I love that.

• Make cards + gift tags: Create a card or tag for the gift you just wrapped.  Or you can get busy and collage a few paintings to make a set of note cards. Keep a set for yourself and give one as a gift.

• Sew a garland: This is a favorite of mine. We have flag garlands hanging in the studio made from assorted paintings. I cut the paintings in triangles and use a long stitch with a heavy colored thread. You can make little teeny garlands or great big ones, depending on where you want to put them. Decorate your child’s room or classroom or at a birthday party.

• Frame it:  Find a simple frame large enough to fit your painting. I buy several, so I can display several together. Your child will be so proud to see their artwork framed.

• Collage:  Cut up paintings, drawings, doodles and prints, even samples of your handwriting. Create a collage from these cut-ups, and use paint, watercolor or markers to enhance your design. Make new art from art.

• Mail it: When my kids were little I’d roll up their favorite paintings and send them off to their artist grandmothers. Roll them up and put a stamp on it!  Best mail delivered, I guarantee!

Kim Poler is queen bee of beehive ART. She lives for inspiring visual expression, explosions of colors, forms and exciting combinations of mixed-media art. She creates, designs art projects, teaches children art and blogs at Beehive Art.