5 Ways to Encourage Your Child’s Artistic Dreams –and What to Do with All That Art

Every child is a budding artist, whether they work with crayons, colored pencils or paint – and encouraging your children’s creativity allows them a conduit to explore their thoughts, feelings and ideas in ways that words can’t always express.

When children create art, they are not just drawing or painting –- they are developing their imagination and communicating. Recognizing and encouraging this creativity is vital, and one of the simplest, most effective ways to do this is by showing genuine appreciation for their work. When children see their artistic efforts as something valued by their parents and others, that’s a critical boost to their self-esteem – and the easiest way to inspire them to continue exploring their talents. 

So, what can you do with all that artwork? Here are some creative and meaningful ways to honor and preserve your child’s artistic journey.

1. Create a Rotating Art Gallery 

Consider this a big step up from hanging your child’s latest work on the fridge with some magnets – and a way to give your child a taste of what it’s like to have their own art show! 

Pick a prominent spot, like the entranceway to your home or a hallway wall and turn it into a revolving display of your child’s latest or favorite creations. You can go the “quick and easy” route and hang their art with double-stick tape, or you can invest in a few plain dollar-store frames and create a whole showcase. (If your child is shy about their work and doesn’t want it all on open display, ask if you can create a gallery wall in their room, instead.)

The key is to rotate the pieces regularly, allowing your child to see their evolving skills – so be sure to involve them in the decision about which pieces to display and which ones to put away. This not only gives your child a reason to feel proud of their work but also transforms your home into a vibrant personal space that emphasizes creativity and joy above all.

2. Make a Digital Archive of Their Artwork

You’re bound to run out of space for all that art – and keeping every single piece probably isn’t feasible. Thus, preserving their creations in a digital archive might be the best possible solution.

Scan or photograph your child’s artwork and store them in a digital album. Tons of apps and websites allow you to organize, share and even print photos or books of your child’s creations. You can even create an Instagram page for your child’s art (carefully restricted to family and friends) so your child can share their work easily with grandparents, aunts, uncles and other loved ones. The digital archive is a great way to keep the work without the clutter – and it can serve as an excellent way for your child to look back on their progress over the years.

3. Turn Art into Gifts and Keepsakes

There’s something inherently cool about seeing a piece of artwork over which your child labored turned into something useful – and your child will probably feel the same way. 

Companies like Shutterfly, CanvasChamp, Snapfish and others allow you to upload photos and scans of your child’s art and have them printed on T-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, blankets and more. These can be turned into priceless gifts for family members on holidays – or save them as keepsakes for your child. 

Another solid idea is having your child pick their 12 favorite creations from the last year and use those pieces to create wall calendars for gifts – or a coffee table book that your child can keep. That’s a unique way to build a “library” of your child’s work that they may treasure well into adulthood. 

4. Create a Portfolio or Scrapbook

A portfolio or scrapbook is a fantastic way to document your child’s artistic development over the years. You can organize the artwork chronologically, adding dates and even little notes about the inspiration behind each piece. This is also a great way to get your child to articulate their thought processes – and it lets you catch a glimpse into their hopes, fears and dreams.

This not only preserves the artwork for the future but also tells the story of your child’s personal growth and creative journey. As they grow older, they will definitely appreciate having a tangible record of their early artistic endeavors – and if they happen to build a career in the arts, it’s good practice for the future!

5. Use Their Art for Seasonal Items

Children’s art can add a unique and personal touch to your seasonal decorations. Consider your child a collaborator when you start thinking about the holiday updates to your home. 

Ask your child for winter-themed art that you can weave into your overall holiday decor – even if that’s something basic like snowflakes or snowmen. Another idea is to ask your child to do a drawing of the entire family that you can then turn into custom greeting cards – something that is sure to make your child feel like their work is appreciated. You can also give your child the color scheme you want and let them design the wrapping paper for your gifts (which can be easily printed at places like Printify and Zazzle). 

The nice thing about this is that your child will start to see that art is not “just for display,” but has practical applications that influence popular culture a great deal. If you have a budding artist or graphic designer on your hands, this gives them an early glimpse into the practical applications for their skills.

Final Thoughts: Celebrating Your Child’s Artistic Journey

Encouraging your child’s creativity is one of the most valuable gifts you can give them. By finding creative ways to display, preserve and share their artwork with others, you are showing them that their efforts have value. This, in turn, can nurture their self-confidence and inspire them to continue exploring their creative potential. 

Whether you create a home gallery or turn their drawings into keepsakes, every act of appreciation tells your child that their art – and by extension, their thoughts and feelings – matters. That’s a lesson that will stay with them for a lifetime – and a great way to shower them with love.