DIY Kid Art Display in Large Open Frame
Create an at home art gallery to feature those wonderful kiddo masterpieces. This DIY kid art display transforms an old or inexpensive frame into a bold, open gallery. Interested in our DIY Town of Radiator Springs? There’s more detail here.
The sheer volume of art my kids produce in even a single sitting is amazing, and easily overwhelming. After sorting out the keepers, we like to display some pieces. The kids love seeing their art on the walls; it inspires and encourages them to continue exploring art. Our very fancy method of taping art randomly to the wall with painter’s tape quickly lost its luster.
Needing a more formal display area, I pulled out an old, large frame I purchased almost 20 years ago at the amazing Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena California (this is definitely worth a visit if you like antiques, flea markets, vintage or just interesting sights). With two rows of hanging wire and binder clips, the art is easy to access and rotate. Adding poster board as a backing hid the hanging hardware and created the open, “floating” effect.
We’ve used our open frame for years and recently made a second for Gigi and Gpa’s house using a discounted craft store frame. Spray painted bright blue, the ornate open frame provides a bold outline for displaying the kids’ art.
Where to Find a Large Frame
If you have the wall space, the bigger the frame the better for this project. Check thrift shops, antique stores or the discount area of craft stores. Look for an ornate frame, the color doesn’t matter since it will be spray painted. Or, if you’re lucky, you’ll find a frame in a color you like. Don’t worry about the glass condition or any matting, those will be removed.
Carefully Choose Display Clips
Select a clip without sharp teeth to prevent damaging the art. Look carefully at the clip’s jaw before purchasing, some self-described “photo clips” actually have sharp teeth that could damage paper. Binder clips, clothes pins, and mini clips work well and are available in a variety of colors and patterns.
Filling the Kid Art Display
Let the child help decide which masterpieces to feature in the DIY Kid Art Display. Perhaps hang up art with an interesting use of color, a new painting technique, a favorite subject or maybe a first. Looking for some inspiration? Check out these ideas for art with kids…
- Create Outdoors: 5 Ideas for Kid Art on a Hike
- Elevate Kid Painting With a Bold Outline
- DIY Paint-By-Color
DIY Kid Art Display – Materials
Supplies:
- large wood or plastic frame
- spray primer
- spray paint
- hanging wire
- screw eyes
- clothes pins, binder clips or mini clips
Tools:
- sandpaper or steel wool
- rag or tack cloth
- ruler or tape measure
- drill with drill bit
- wire cutter
- screwdriver
- needle nose pliers
How to DIY Kid Art Display in Large Open Frame
Spray Paint Tips:
- Shake can well and follow instructions.
- Spray in back-and-forth, overlapping passes to ensure full coverage. I work in roughly 1 foot passes, releasing nozzle when changing direction (to give my finger a rest and avoid drips).
- Keep the can moving when depressing the nozzle to prevent drips.
- Spray from various angles to cover all nooks and edges.
- Apply several light coats. Heavy coats can cause drips.
- Fix drips by gently dabbing with a rag. Then reapply paint.
- When finished, hold the can upside down and spray on the ground or cardboard for a few seconds. This helps avoid a clogged nozzle when storing the can.
1. Prepare the Frame
Remove glass, if any.
The amount of prep work depends on the frame’s condition. For a new frame, sand with high grit sandpaper (220 grit) or steel wool to roughen the surface.
For an older frame, use a scraper to remove peeling or chipping paint, then sand until smooth. Start with a low grit sandpaper (80- to 100-grit), then move to 120-grit, and finish with 220-grit or steel wool.
After sanding, wipe off dust with damp rag or tack cloth. Let dry completely before priming.
2. Prime and Spray Paint Kid Art Display Frame
Cover work area with cardboard or a drop cloth. Wear a mask and work in a well-ventilated area. I usually work outside or in an open garage with cardboard covering the ground.
Cover frame with spray primer. After primer is completely dry, lightly sand the frame with 220-grit sandpaper. Then wipe with damp rag or tack cloth.
Apply spray paint to frame in multiple light coats. Make sure to cover the inner and outer sides and all nooks and edges. Let frame dry completely.
3. Attach Wire to Display Art
Lay a piece of letter size paper (in vertical orientation) in desired display location in the frame. Attach the hanging clip to the paper to identify where the wire will lay in the frame.
Measure down from the top of the frame, then mark that point on the left and right sides. A tape measure works fine, but a woodworking divider or compass (if you have one) makes this measurement VERY easy.
Use the same measuring process if the frame will hold more than one display wire.
Drill a pilot hole at each marked location and install screw eye. Screw until tight with opening of screw eye pointing down. Finger tighten or use needlenose pliers.
Cut display wire at least 4″ longer than the distance between opposing screw eyes. Insert one end of the wire through the screw eye, leaving a 2″ free end. Wrap the free end around the screw eye once, then back around itself. Tighten wraps with needlenose pliers. Pull the wire taut (but not so tight that the frame is strained) and insert through the opposite screw eye. Wrap through the screw eye several times, then back around itself.
4. Hide the Hanging Hardware in the Kid Art Display Frame
Many large frames hang using wire attached to D-rings or steel plates. For antique or older frames, you may need to purchase hanging hardware.
To achieve the “open” effect, paint the frame’s backing board white or the same color as the wall to hide hanging hardware or wire.
If the backing board is missing from an antique or older frame, create a back using poster board. Trim poster board so it fits behind, but doesn’t extend beyond, the frame. Attach with staples. If frame requires more than one piece of poster board, overlap and tape the pieces together so the seams lay flat.
5. Hang the Frame, Display Your Child’s Art and Enjoy!
Clip art to the wires. Don’t forget to write the child’s name and age on the back of the art. Also, ask the child to give the art a title, and add that to either the front or the back. Laminating is a great way to preserve art.
Rotate the art every month or so. Have your child help choose which art to hang in the large open art display frame.
How do you display kid’s art? Give this DIY kid art display in a large open frame a try and let us know how it works!
DIY Kid Art Display With Open Frame
Create a home art gallery with this easy DIY kid art display using spray paint, a large frame and display wire.
Materials
- large wood or plastic frame
- spray primer
- spray paint
- hanging wire
- screw eyes
- clips
Tools
- sandpaper or steel wool
- rag or tack cloth
- ruler or tape measure
- drill with drill bit
- wire cutter
- screwdriver
- long nose pliers
Instructions
- Remove glass, if any, and prepare the frame. The amount of prep work depends on the frame’s condition. For a new frame, sand with high grit sandpaper (220 grit) or steel wool to roughen the surface.
- For an older frame, use a scraper to remove peeling or chipping paint, then sand until smooth. Start with a low grit sandpaper (80- to 100-grit) then move to 120-grit and finish with 220-grit or steel wool.
- After sanding, wipe off dust with damp rag or tack cloth. Let dry completely before priming.
- Cover work area with cardboard or a drop cloth. Wear a mask and work in a well-ventilated area. Cover frame with spray primer.
- After primer is completely dry, lightly sand the frame with 220-grit sandpaper. Then wipe with damp rag or tack cloth.
- Apply spray paint to frame in multiple light coats. Make sure to cover the inner and outer sides and all nooks and edges. Let frame dry completely.
- Attach display wire. Lay a piece of letter size paper (in vertical orientation) in desired display location in the frame. Attach the hanging clip to the paper to identify where the wire will lay in the frame. Measure down from the top of the frame, then mark that point on the left and right sides. Repeat iif the frame will hold more than one display wire.
- Drill a pilot hole at each marked location and install screw eye. Screw until tight with opening of screw eye pointing down.
- Cut display wire at least 4" longer than the distance between opposing screw eyes. Insert one end of the wire through the screw eye, leaving a 2" free end. Wrap the free end around the screw eye once, then back around itself. Tighten wraps with needlenose pliers. Pull the wire taut (but not so tight that the frame is strained) and insert through the opposite screw eye. Wrap through the screw eye several times, then back around itself.
- To achieve the "open" effect, paint the frame's backing board white or the same color as the wall so any hanging hardware or wire is hidden. If the backing board is missing from an antique or older frame, create a back using poster board. Trim poster board so it fits behind, but doesn't extend beyond, the frame. Attach with staples. If frame requires more than one piece of poster board, overlap and tape the pieces together so the seams lay flat.
- Clip art to the wires. Don't forget to write the child's name and age on the back of the art. Also, ask the child to give the art a title, and add that to either the front or the back.
- Rotate the art and have your child help choose which art to hang in the large open art display frame.
Notes
Spray Paint Tips:
- Shake can well and follow instructions.
- Spray in back-and-forth, overlapping passes to ensure full coverage. I work in roughly 1 foot passes, releasing nozzle when changing direction (to give my finger a rest and avoid drips).
- Keep the can moving when depressing the nozzle to prevent drips.
- Spray from various angles to cover all nooks and edges.
- Apply several light coats. Heavy coats can cause drips.
- Fix drips by gently dabbing with a rag. Then reapply paint.
- When finished, hold the can upside down and spray on the ground or cardboard for a few seconds. This will help avoid a clogged nozzle when storing the can.
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