Making Picture Frames for Kids

Help your child make his own picture frame.

One way to share memories and involve your child in crafting is by making picture frames. Ready-to-finish wood frames are available in most craft stores, giving your child a great base for design. These frames come in all shapes and sizes and come with glass or plastic in place to protect your picture. The possibilities are endless when it comes to designing a frame with your child. Use craft paints, glitter glue, stickers and other crafting materials to create a frame that reflects your child's personality.

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper
• Unfinished craft frame
• Craft paint
• Paint brushes
• Balsa shapes
• Puffy paint
• Glitter glue
• Craft glue
• Other decorating materials

Instructions

1. Cover a flat area with newspaper and carefully remove the glass and backing from the frame, if applicable. Set the glass aside in another area. Lay the unfinished frame face up.

2. Paint the entire frame with a base color using craft paint. Two coats may be needed. Let the paint dry in between coats to avoid adhesion problems. With the frame flat on the newspaper, paint the sides of the frame and let it dry.

3. Paint balsa shapes such as stars, flowers or letters in the desired colors. Add a face or other designs with puffy paint and glitter glue, then let it dry.

4. Glue the balsa shapes in the desired area of the frame. For example, glue small balsa shapes in each or two corners of the frame. Or, glue on balsa letters that spell your child's name across the bottom.

5. Decorate the painted part of the frame with puffy paint, glitter glue and other crafting materials. For example, write your child's name or the photograph subject matter at the top of bottom of the frame with puffy paint. Or, adhere decorative stickers, glue on old buttons or attach craft feathers.

6. Let the frame completely dry. Reinsert the glass, insert the photograph and replace the backing to hold the photograph in place.

Tips & Warnings

• To give your frame a stained look, add water to the craft paint and brush it all over your frame in even strokes. Seal the frame with a matte or glossy brush-on varnish.

• Make the balsa shapes glittery by spraying the surface with spray adhesive, then pressing it into glitter to cover the entire surface. Or, do this for the entire frame surface and spray it with varnish to hold the glitter in place.

• Glue flat-back gems or mirrored pieces to the frame to make it shiny and girly.

References

• Michaels: Argyle Frame