Foam board

Double sided mounting tape

Bulletin board trimmer OR strips of construction paper

Schoolwork, art, mementos, finger-paint supplies

Directions:

To display children's drawings, paintings and crayon pictures try using Foam Boards!   A package of 3 foam boards in the 20" x 30" size is now only about $9.99 at an office supply store and often can be conveniently delivered.

Ask your children to each choose their favorite masterpieces to arrange on a foam board. Then, using glue or paste, attach the art selections to the foam board. Next "frame" board by cutting 4 strips of bulletin board trim, two 20" long and two longer strips for the length of each board.

Next attach the trim to the sides of the foam board and hang on a wall with a piece of double sided foam tape. If you prefer, several strips of construction paper can be joined and used to frame each board instead. The construction paper "frame" can first be "decorated" with stickers, stamps or cut-outs before attaching to the board.

The children will enjoy making their "handprints" on a foam board as well. Any acrylic paint is suitable that can be easily washed off but most are not easily removed from clothing so for this project each child should wear an art "smock" or apron unless using a finger paint that is completely washable. Each child's "handprints" can then be displayed on a wall when you "hang" each completed board with a small piece of double sided foam tape.

Family memories can be preserved and displayed on a foam board too. Saved mementos such as tickets, brochures or photos from a family vacation or a fun get-together can be arranged and then glued to a foam board and framed.

The "sticky back" foam boards cost a little more but are fun to use for a collage. Select a theme for each child's collage and then

arrange the collection of mementos, photos, or school work on the unwrapped sticky foam board first. The items should overlap.  Then remove the cover so the adhesive layer is exposed to attach the mementos being sure no adhesive remains exposed.

If the result seems too "busy" or you don't have enough items to completely cover the entire board, cut shapes of colored paper to fill in any empty spots. To have their schoolwork displayed so importantly will help then to remember how Mom much admires their work!

Note from site owner Shiloah Baker: my mom wrote this and I remember doing this very thing growing up.  I had forgotten about it until now!

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