Family Photo Frame Fun!
Let's create a beautiful frame to show off a favorite family picture!
Materials You'll Need:
- Craft sticks (like popsicle sticks) or sturdy cardboard strips
- Child-safe glue (white glue or glue gun with supervision)
- Paint (acrylic or tempera) and paintbrushes
- Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
- Decorative items: glitter, buttons, yarn, beads, dried pasta, stickers, small pom-poms, fabric scraps
- Scissors (child-safe)
- A piece of sturdy cardboard or cardstock for the backing (slightly larger than your photo)
- A favorite family photo
- Optional: Clear sealant or Mod Podge
Let's Get Started!
Introduction & Chat (Art Appreciation)
Look at some framed pictures around your home or in books. Why do we put frames around pictures? Frames help protect the picture, make it stand out, and add decoration. Think about what makes a frame look nice. Is it the color? The texture? The decorations? Today, you get to be the frame designer!
Activity: Frame Creation!
- Prepare your base: If using cardboard strips, cut four pieces to form a rectangle or square slightly larger than your photo. If using craft sticks, you can arrange them similarly.
- Assemble the frame: Glue the ends of your sticks or cardboard strips together to create the frame shape. Let the glue dry completely. You might want to glue them onto the cardboard backing around where the photo will go for extra support, leaving space to slide the photo in later, or plan to glue the photo directly onto the backing first and then frame around it. An easier way for craft sticks is to lay two parallel, then glue two more across their ends to form a square/rectangle.
- Paint your frame: Once the glue is dry, paint your frame any color you like! You could paint it one solid color or create patterns. Let the paint dry fully.
- Decorate! Decorate! Decorate! This is where your creativity shines! Use your glue to add decorations. Maybe cover it in glitter, glue on buttons in a pattern, wrap yarn around it, or create designs with markers. Think about your family photo – what colors or themes match it?
- Attach the Backing (if needed): If you haven't already, glue your decorated frame onto the cardboard backing piece, leaving one edge unglued if you want to slide the photo in and out. Or, carefully glue your photo onto the center of the backing first, then glue the frame on top, around the photo.
- Optional Sealing: Once everything is dry, you could paint over your decorations (except maybe fuzzy things like pom-poms) with clear sealant or Mod Podge to protect them.
- Add your photo: Place your chosen family photo inside the frame area.
Clean Up & Reflection
Put away your supplies carefully. Look at your finished frame! What part of making it did you enjoy the most? How did you choose your decorations? Where will you display your special family photo frame?
Extension Idea:
Create themed frames! Make a beach-themed frame with sand and small shells for a vacation photo, or a nature-themed frame using twigs and pressed leaves for an outdoor picture.