Make Decorative Picture Frames for Gifts

Great Kids Craft Project Makes Unique Homemade Gifts

May 4, 2009

Making decorative picture frames is a great kids' craft project that creates unique homemade gifts from children.

Parents who are looking to make and give inexpensive homemade gifts to teachers and others will find decorative picture frames are a great gift. This easy kids’ craft project can use bought or found objects and every gift will be unique.

Gather Kids’ Craft Project Supplies

One of the best parts about making decorative picture frames is the supply list is easily customizable to what is on hand. The following list offers suggestions but parents can choose what works best for the look they want to create. Only the hot glue gun is required. Supplies include:

Anything that is clean and dry can work. Other options can include very small pine cones, sticks or twigs, foam letters, pompoms, glitter glue and feathers. Many dollar stores sell bags of glass gems and seashells and one bag of each will make many decorative picture frames.

Selecting Picture Frames for Homemade Gifts

There are different options when selecting picture frames to decorate for homemade gifts. Any plain wood frame that is wide enough to hold decorative objects will work. Many dollar stores sell basic frames for $1. Parents can choose painted frames for a more sophisticated look. It is even possible to reuse old frames by sanding off any unwanted color and spray-painting a new color on the frame. Frames that are at least 5 inches x 7 inches work best so the decorations do not overwhelm the frame.

Lay Out the Decorative Picture Frames

When ready to start the decorative picture frame craft, remove the glass and back from the frame. If the back of the frame is not removable, the frame can only be used in two directions. Be sure to mark the up directions on the front of the frame in pencil. This is especially important if the craft project will have a definite top and bottom or words on it.

Using the supplies on hand, the parent and child can play around with which items look best together. Be sure to supervise children with supplies, especially with glass gems that can look like candy. Allow children to play around with the design and decide what they think looks best together. The parent can make his or her own decorative picture frame for the house at the same time.

Applying Items to the Decorative Picture Frame

Once the child likes the layout of the items on the frame, the parent is ready to apply items to the frame. If using foam letters to spell out “thank you,” or a similar message, space letters before sticking them onto the frame.

To apply decorative sand to the frame, mix white glue and a little bit of water in a cup. Apply the glue to the frame with a foam brush and sprinkle decorative sand over the glue. Allow to dry and then gently shake off excess sand over newspaper.

Once words and sand are applied, it is time to hot glue the other items to the frame. Before gluing, make sure objects do not extend beyond the bottom edge of the frame. This will ensure the frame stands flat when it is displayed. Starting with one corner, glue items to the frame. Turn the frame while working around the edge to avoid an excessive amount of strings from the hot glue crossing over the frame. Pull off any extra glue once it is dried.

Personalize this Unique Homemade Gift

The frame is complete and can be wrapped to give, or the parent and child can complete one final step to personalize this homemade gift. Using the sample picture in the frame as a guide, cut a piece of construction paper or white paper to go inside the frame. The child can draw a thank-you picture for the gift recipient or the parent can write a heartfelt message. If the frame will hold a photo of the child as a gift, the child can decorate a white mat around the photo with pictures or words of thanks.

Parenst and children who want to make thoughtful and unique homemade gifts will want to try making decorative picture frames. This great kids’ craft project uses inexpensive craft supplies, found objects or recycled picture frames. Children can use their imaginations to make a craft that looks good to them. Parents can supervise laying out the decorative items and using the hot glue gun. Personalize this picture frame craft by coloring a picture for the frame or adding a heartfelt message to the gift recipient.

The copyright of the article Make Decorative Picture Frames for Gifts in Parent-Child Crafts is owned by Genna Cockerham. Permission to republish Make Decorative Picture Frames for Gifts in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.