Now that Clara is old enough to hold a small paintbrush, work with Mod Podge, and help on simple craft projects, I’ve been doing occasional DIY activities with her. These projects are enjoyable for kids and adults alike—this one in particular also works well if you want to use adult-made art, decorative gift wrap, or wallpaper instead of a child’s painting. In short: no children necessary, but they do make it more fun.
We started by choosing a piece of Clara’s artwork from a stack of paintings she brought home from school. She loves to paint, so narrowing it down was part of the fun. She picked a bright piece with yellows, oranges, and reds—an energetic, colorful choice that looked great against the wood box I’d bought.
For materials, we used a lightweight wood craft box purchased at a craft store and one of Clara’s paintings. I placed the box lid face down on top of the painting and trimmed the paper so the corners met the lid’s corners. Cutting the corners this way makes it easy to fold the paper neatly and wrap it around the lid as if you’re wrapping a gift.
To secure the paper inside the lid, I used decorative washi tape. I like washi tape because it’s strong enough to hold down the paper but also easy to work with and won’t damage the artwork. If you prefer to have the painting wrap continuously around the lid without a tape border, you can skip this step. I simply enjoyed the look of the tape as a subtle frame for Clara’s painting.
Next, I repeated the same process for each side of the box, wrapping the paper carefully and trimming as needed so the design lined up smoothly. Clara watched and helped when she could, and she loved seeing her artwork transformed into something practical and display-ready.
We also painted the bottom of the box. Clara was excited to help with this step—she applied paint with a brush and eagerly waited between coats. It took a few layers of paint with drying time in between, so we worked in short bursts and did other activities while the paint dried. Letting kids participate in the painting part is a great way to let them take ownership of the project without needing to do the more precise cutting and taping yourself.
Once the paint was fully dry, we moved on to sealing the artwork. Clara helped apply Mod Podge across the top of the lid. Mod Podge acts as a protective sealer and gives the surface a finished look, preserving the colors and making the box more durable. Applying the sealer is also a satisfying step for kids because they can see the final transformation happen right before their eyes.
Overall, there are three kid-friendly stages in this project: creating the artwork, painting the base of the box, and brushing on the Mod Podge to seal everything. As the adult, I handled the more technical tasks—cutting the paper to size and securing it inside the lid—but Clara enjoyed the creative parts and felt involved at every stage.
The finished box is simple, bright, and personal. It’s a lovely way to display children’s artwork while turning it into a functional home item. Projects like this keep cherished paintings from languishing in a storage box and instead let you enjoy them every day. Clara’s teacher mentioned that when Clara paints in class, she repeatedly steps back to look and then goes back in to add more—an adorable habit that makes her work thoughtful and lively. I like to think of her as my little Van Gogh: deeply involved in the process and proud of the result.
If you’re looking for an easy DIY that showcases kids’ art and yields a useful finished piece, consider making a decorated keepsake box. It’s low-cost, kid-friendly, and a satisfying way to preserve memories and creativity.