Preserving Kids Artwork

What You Need:

• Your child
• Your child’s artwork, writing samples, etc.
• Camera
• Mini 4" x 6" photo album
• Optional: Computer, photo paper, and printer

What You Do:

1. Gather your child’s work, your child, and a camera.
2. Have your child pose with his favorite pieces of work (and any you are just in love with!)
3. Snap a close-up shot.
4. Print the pictures out at home on photo paper, or send them off to your local photo lab.
5. Ask your child to help chose a special 4" x 6" mini photo album, and help him insert the pictures.

Congratulations! You’ve made a photo book full of your child's work that will stand the test of time. This is a fantastic way to “keep” 3-D pieces, such as clay projects and dioramas.

2. Creative Creations Portfolio

Cost: About $10.00

What You Need:

• Pieces of flat artwork, writing samples, or even that difficult spelling test!
• Optional: 2 pieces of card stock
• Optional: Markers and crayons

What You Do:

1. Ask your child to help select about 10 pieces of his work.
2. If he’s interested, ask your child to design a “cover” and “table of contents” for his special book using the card stock, markers and crayons.
3. Head off to your local copy center, and have the pages laminated and spiral bound.

No more faded, ripped, or folded projects… you now have a low-budget (yet enviable) creations portfolio of your child's best work to keep for years to come.

3. The E-Photo Album

Cost: About $20.00

What You Need:

• Pieces of flat artwork, writing samples, or even tests your child is especially proud of!
• Computer

What You Do:

1. Gather pieces of flat artwork, writing samples, or tests.
2. Scan these projects into your computer.
3. Upload the images to a photo book making site, such as Shutterfly.
4. Choose a large or small sized book, cloth or leather cover. Add backgrounds and even text such as “Sample of Your Writing on the First Day of Kindergarten.”
5. Review your creation, order and pay for your book.

In less than an hour, you’ll have created a masterpiece worthy of your coffee table. Why not consider converting your creation it into a monthly calendar to offer as holiday gifts for loved ones? Technology makes it easy to do with only a few clicks of the mouse!

These ideas are great for children of all ages!