Ideas for Decorating a Memory Box for Kids

Shoe or photo boxes work well for memory boxes.

Kids go through many experiences growing up, many of which they will want to remember. A simple memory box provides a place for kids to put items, like a time capsule. Decorating a memory box makes it one-of-a-kind and personalized, and allows for self-expression.

Calendars

Sometimes the most important aspect of a memory box is the date associated with the items in it. For example, a child may make a box for his birthday or New Year's Day. One option is to cover the box with calendar pages that have the date circled. These pages don't need to show the whole month and can overlap. Numbers and letters painted, glued or drawn on the box can indicate the date even more prominently.

Photograph Collage

Although many kids may want to put photographs in a memory box, they can instead use photographs to make a collage on the outside. This way, the child can put bulkier items in the box without having to worry about the photos getting bent out of shape. For this version, the child chooses the pictures he likes related to the memory. These may be photos of family and friends, but they also can be pictures cut from magazines or newspapers.

Atmosphere Items

Some of kids' memories evoke a certain atmosphere or feeling. For example, winning a game as a member of a sports team brings feelings of competitiveness, achievement and teamwork. In this case, the child can draw pictures of the team members or write the team motto or logo on the box. This idea works well for kids who are old enough to understand the abstract concepts behind memory atmosphere (e.g., what constitutes teamwork or sportsmanship). A similar method is to recreate the elements that create the atmosphere. For example, the child can glue sand to the a memory box for a beach party. This approach is good for younger kids who are transitioning from concrete to abstract reasoning.

References

• Activity Village: Memory Box
• Sprout: Memory Box