Children's art deserves better than a dozen strips of sticky tape and a fridge that is slowly disappearing. The good news: a handful of simple ideas will make the work look intentional, and rotating the display means every piece gets its moment. Here are seventeen that work in real homes.
On the wall
1. A string and pegs. A length of string or wire across a wall with wooden pegs is cheap, quick and endlessly changeable. It also looks lovely.
2. Picture ledges. A shallow shelf lets you lean pictures against the wall and swap them in seconds, with no new holes each time.
3. Front-opening frames. Frames that open at the front let you change the picture in moments. Hang a few in a group and you have a gallery that updates itself.
4. A gallery wall. Mix frame sizes and colours around one or two bigger pieces. Plan the layout on the floor first, or cut paper templates and tape them to the wall.
5. Clip frames and clipboards. Clip a drawing to a board or between two sheets of glass. Easy to swap and very modern.
6. Magnetic board. A magnetic board or steel sheet in the playroom lets children hang their own work. Magnets rather than tape means the paper survives.
7. A cork or pinboard. A large board gives everyone a place to pin up what they like, and costs little.
8. Washi tape grid. Low-tack decorative tape is easy to remove and looks neat in rows. Check it on an unseen patch of paint first.
On a shelf or a surface
9. Easel shelf. A small tabletop easel makes a "this month's gallery" corner that children can change themselves.
10. A box frame for 3D art. A deep frame protects a small clay model or a collage from dust.
11. Display shelf above eye level. Keep fragile models high, out of reach of small hands, and photograph them before they go up.
Make the art useful
12. Wrapping paper. Large paintings are perfect for wrapping presents. The recipient loves it.
13. Cards. Scan a favourite and print it as a set of greeting cards, or cut and fold the original.
14. Calendar, mug or tote. Turn a favourite into something used every day. Printed mugs, tote bags and phone cases make good gifts, and Squiglet can print a drawing onto them.
15. Cushion or blanket. For a special piece, a custom print on fabric becomes a family heirloom.
In the digital world
16. A digital frame or TV art mode. Load scanned pictures onto a digital frame, or a TV with an art mode, and let them shuffle through the day. See our guide to scanning kids' art.
17. A yearly photo book. The best display of all: a book on the coffee table that guests actually pick up. See our guide to making an artwork book.
Keep your child's artwork safe
Join the waitlist and we will email you once, when the app is ready.
Tips for a display that lasts
- Avoid direct sunlight, which fades felt-tip pen dyes quickly.
- Use acid-free mount board for pieces you want to keep for years.
- Rotate monthly. Put the old pieces in the keepsake box or the book.
- Let the child decide. A child who chooses what goes up feels proud, and you get a pointer to their favourites.
- Photograph before you hang. If something falls or fades, you still have the picture.
A simple rotation routine
On the first of each month, take the pieces down, photograph any you have not photographed, file the keepers, and hang the new month's favourites. It takes ten minutes, and it keeps the house lived-in and the pile under control.
Choosing the right wall
- Hallways and stairs are perfect: people pass by slowly and every visitor sees it.
- A child's own room lets them curate their own gallery.
- Kitchens and playrooms suit relaxed, changeable displays.
- Avoid south-facing windows and radiators. Strong sun and heat age paper faster.
Frame choices that look good
- Simple wooden or white frames suit almost any drawing and any room.
- Mounts (the card border) make a big difference. A white mount makes a child's drawing look like a gallery piece.
- Mix sizes but keep one colour of frame for a tidy gallery wall.
- Acrylic or glass? Acrylic is lighter and safer around small children; glass is clearer and cheaper.
Display safely
- Use removable adhesives (low-tack tape, picture hooks, adhesive strips) so the wall is not damaged.
- Never use tape on the artwork itself. Use clips, pegs or magnets.
- Keep the display out of direct sunlight and away from damp walls.
- Check the pegs and string now and then so nothing falls on a small head.
Keeping the display tidy
A bit of structure stops it feeling messy:
- Give each child their own space so nobody feels left out.
- Choose a fixed number of pieces, such as six, and swap one in when one goes.
- Photograph everything before it goes up, so nothing is lost if it falls or fades.
- Use the same size of frame or clip for a neat look.
Let your child curate it
Handing over the job of choosing and hanging is the best display tip of all. Children take enormous pride in it, they decide what really matters, and you get a free helper. Give them a corner and a few pegs, and let them be the gallery owner.
Questions people ask
What is the best way to display kids' artwork without damaging the walls?
Use removable picture hooks, washi tape or picture ledges. A string or wire with pegs needs just two small fixings.
How often should I rotate displayed artwork?
Monthly works well for most families. It keeps the display fresh and gives every piece a turn.
How do I display 3D art?
Use a dedicated shelf or a ledge above eye height, out of reach of small hands. Photograph each piece before you display it.
