Let’s talk about toddler artwork. Some of it, like tiny handprint turkeys or cotton ball snowmen, is adorable and makes it onto the fridge. But a lot of their art is really about the process of making it and not the end product. If your kids go to daycare or you have regular art time at home, you may end up with too much art to really enjoy it all.
This year, with COVID-19 separating us from many of our loved ones, I’ve been repurposing our toddler’s art into homemade cards to send to family and friends. For each batch, I spend one evening in front of the television with my glue stick and my jar of markers. With the right pair of sweatpants and the perfect snack, this can be a relaxing, low-stress activity. I use what I can find lying around in our craft bins. You can see that the cards aren’t intricate or complicated, but they get a great response. Loved ones know we’re thinking of them, and the art can visit their homes while we can’t. Here are some projects I’ve done so far. Tell me your ideas in the comments below!
Easter
Find (or have your kid create) paintings in pastel colors. Cut into ovals to make Easter egg shapes. Cut green construction paper, cardstock, or tissue paper into grass. Glue the egg shape onto cardstock and the grass over the top. Add a message where you can fit it.
Valentine’s Day
Find (or have your kid create) paintings in shades of pink, red, and purple. Cut into heart shapes and use a glue stick to attach them to plain card stock. Add a short message on the front and a “handmade with love” tag on the back.
Christmas
Find (or have your kid create) art in green and white. Cut into a triangle shape to be a Christmas tree. Use a glue stick to attach onto cardstock. Keep it simple, or use a silver or gold marker to add a star or tree ornaments.
[…] into and out of the car, cleaning up the living room floor for the twentieth time, folding laundry, prepping crafts to keep the kids entertained for 10 minutes, and the list goes on and on. By the time 6pm hits I am […]