We run you through a great way to create a simple and fun art work that your children will love to create. The frames make great homemade gifts!
Thanks to Mandy, from Louisiana in the U.S., who sent in this great popsicle stick frame idea. Let’s take a look at it…
What did you do?
We made popsicle stick frames. This craft makes a great gift! Simply lay out two parallel jumbo popsicle sticks, then glue two more on top to connect them (leave extra space at the bottom to glue a cute banner).
To stick them you can use Wood glue, Elmer’s, or tacky glue. Once dry, protect your surface, then give the kids some paint and a brush and let them express their creativity. I chose to give them paint colors that coordinated with their picture and that wouldn’t make brown when mixed.
Tape or glue a picture to the back of the frame, and add a magnet to the back for hanging on the refrigerator.
For the banner, cut a piece of jute the width of the frame and knot at both ends. Print or write a name/message on a piece of paper, cut it out leaving extra space at the top, then fold and glue the paper over the jute. Glue the knots to the bottom part of the frame.
Extra ideas:
To take it up a notch, add a paper flower or bow to the corner. We made a paper rose by cutting out a circle, drawing a spiral from the edge of the circle to the middle, cutting along the spiral, then rolling up the piece of paper into a rose, using tacky glue or hot glue to keep it in place.
This is an activity that even the youngest of kids can participate in while making a creation that grandparents would be thrilled to receive. It is perfect for Christmas, Mother’s Day and birthdays!
Do you have any other projects planned?
My family loves arts and crafts and we are full of ideas. We love making art that we can give as gifts. Lately we’ve been making pictures with items we collect from nature.
Tell the Housebound With Kids community a bit about yourself…
My name is Mandy Porta. I’m an artist/illustrator and creativity lover from Louisiana with two little girls who are now 7 and 9.
@raisingcreativegirls
Do you have any tips for other parents?
Just about anything in the house can be used for crafts. Bottle caps, toilet paper rolls, buttons, shipping boxes and other packaging can all be put to use. Keep a container with recycled items and challenge the kids to use their imagination to make something. And if you run out of items in the house, send them outside to collect leaves, sticks, rocks and flower petals to make art with.
What are your family’s favourite board game(s)/card game(s)?
Uno, Exploding Kittens (sounds horrific but it’s hilarious) and Harry Potter Clue
What are your children’s favourite books?
My oldest is loving the Harry Potter books and my youngest is currently interested in the Dog Man books as well as Land of Stories.
What toys would you recommend to other parents?
Buy toys that won’t get outgrown when the next movie/tv show comes out. Toys like legos and magnetic tiles will last a while. But my favorite things to buy are art and craft supplies.
Has this website and community helped you?
I’m excited to see this available as a resource to parents who are spending more time with their kids than ever and need ideas to keep them entertained. Empower your kids with the skills of creativity and imagination and your children will never be bored.
