If you have a young child at home, you probably live surrounded by art. Drawings on paper, napkins, envelopes, walls (yes, even walls). Scribbles that seem like meaningless lines to you, but for your little one, they are a treasure map, a family of dinosaurs, or an astronaut robot.
And of course, you love them all. But after the 75th drawing of the week, that inevitable question arises:
What do I do with all these drawings?
Because you don't want to throw them away (parental guilt activated), but you also can't wallpaper the whole house.
Here are some ideas to give them a second life without ending up buried under mountains of colored paper:
1. Create an art gallery at home
Choose a corner (it could be a hallway wall, the fridge, or the inside of a cupboard) and display their latest drawings there. You can use clothespins, string, frames, or masking tape. Seeing their work displayed is a boost of self-esteem for them... and it looks great.
A useful rule? Every time you hang a new one, remove the oldest. This way they don't pile up and the space renews itself.
2. Make an artist's book
Save the best (or funniest, or strangest) and every so often make a notebook. You can use transparent sleeves, a binder with rings, or simply staple the pages and give it a title: “April 2024’s Amazing Drawing Book.”
Bonus: add their quotes explaining what they've drawn. We assure you that in a few years it will be a treasure.
3. Turn drawings into gifts
Mother's Day, Father's Day, grandparents' birthdays... instead of buying something, turn one of their drawings into a postcard, a notebook cover, or wrapping paper. It's personalized, beautiful, and made by them.
4. Cut out and create games
A drawing you're not going to keep whole? Cut it into pieces and turn it into a homemade puzzle. Or make cards to play matching games, tell stories, or invent characters. With a little adhesive tape and scissors, art becomes play.
5. And yes... you can also throw some away (without drama)
Not everything can be kept. Keep those that have sentimental value or that your child wants to keep and let go of the rest with peace of mind. You can do it together, even letting them choose which ones to keep and which ones not to.
Drawings are not just painted paper. They are moments, imagination in action, little pieces of childhood. So give that "artistic chaos" the place it deserves... but without it overwhelming you.
