We’ve all been there… it’s only December, and already your child has brought home enough writing samples, projects and artwork to fill a storage unit. While we cherish our child’s work, keeping it all can get a bit overwhelming. Here are three easy, budget friendly ways to preserve those precious memories without filling up the attic.
1. Snapshot Photo Album
Cost: About $5.00
What You Need:
- Your child
- Your child’s artwork, writing samples, etc.
- Camera
- Mini 4" x 6" photo album
- Optional: Computer, photo paper, and printer
What You Do:
- Gather your child’s work, your child, and a camera.
- Have your child pose with his favorite pieces of work (and any you are just in love with!)
- Snap a close-up shot.
- Print the pictures out at home on photo paper, or send them off to your local photo lab.
- Ask your child to help chose a special 4" x 6" mini photo album, and help him insert the pictures.
Congratulations! You’ve made a photo book full of your child's work that will stand the test of time. This is a fantastic way to “keep” 3-D pieces, such as clay projects and dioramas.
2. Creative Creations Portfolio
Cost: About $10.00
What You Need:
- Pieces of flat artwork, writing samples, or even that difficult spelling test!
- Optional: 2 pieces of card stock
- Optional: Markers and crayons
What You Do:
- Ask your child to help select about 10 pieces of his work.
- If he’s interested, ask your child to design a “cover” and “table of contents” for his special book using the card stock, markers and crayons.
- Head off to your local copy center, and have the pages laminated and spiral bound.
No more faded, ripped, or folded projects… you now have a low-budget (yet enviable) creations portfolio of your child's best work to keep for years to come.
3. The E-Photo Album
Cost: About $20.00
What You Need:
- Pieces of flat artwork, writing samples, or even tests your child is especially proud of!
- Computer
What You Do:
- Gather pieces of flat artwork, writing samples, or tests.
- Scan these projects into your computer.
- Upload the images to a photo book making site, such as Shutterfly.
- Choose a large or small sized book, cloth or leather cover. Add backgrounds and even text such as “Sample of Your Writing on the First Day of Kindergarten.”
- Review your creation, order and pay for your book.
In less than an hour, you’ll have created a masterpiece worthy of your coffee table. Why not consider converting your creation it into a monthly calendar to offer as holiday gifts for loved ones? Technology makes it easy to do with only a few clicks of the mouse!
These ideas are great for children of all ages!
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