Reuse children’s art to create beautiful envelops, gift tags, paper chains and more! Here are 12 ways to start repurposing your kids’ artwork.
Updated February 2025
Some artwork lends itself well to being used for gift wrap, note cards, valentines, buntings, collages, book covers, etc. Think process-oriented art that fills the paper—finger painting, splatter painting, bubble printing, etc. This is also the kind of artwork that kids love, and so make tons and tons of!
Maybe a few pieces go in the keep pile, but usually you have piles of artwork leftover.
So, what to do with it all? Here are some ideas to get help you get started!
Ideas to Reuse Children’s Art
1. Note cards and Envelopes
Think thank you cards, Christmas cards, birthday invitation cards, or even a gift set of note cards. Not only can you use art for note cards, but also for the envelopes they’ll go in!
2. Ornaments
Cut painted paper into fun holiday shapes and use them to decorate your Christmas tree!
3. Art books
These DIY art books for kids double as an art portfolio and are a wonderful way to store and display kids’ art.
4. DIY notebooks
If your kids love writing in notebooks as much as ours do, use their art for the cover of a DIY notebook. All you have to do is staple the covers to some plain or scrap paper.
5. Drawing prompts
Give your child a piece of their artwork and see what new drawing they can create from it. This is a great way to get the imagination going.
6. Gift wrap
If your kids like to paint big, have them fill large pieces of paper or rolls of easel paper. Then, use their masterpieces to wrap your next birthday gift.
7. Valentines
So many valentines can be made with recycled art papers. Simply cut your artwork into hearts of all shapes and sizes!
8. Gift tags
Use a hole punch and string to create gift tags from your children’s recycled artwork!
9. Collage
Reuse your kids’ art to create more art! Give them a stack of papers, scissors, and glue and let them create a new masterpiece with their old ones.
10. Costumes!
If you’ve got kids who want to play dress up, you can make fabulous DIY kids costumes with a variety of recycled artwork!
11. Paper chains
Paper chains are pretty decorations, and a great tool to use when counting down to something exciting! Instead of using construction paper, reuse some pretty artwork for an extra special paper chain.
12. Buntings
It’s easy and fun to take all of those painted papers you have piling up and turn them into a festive bunting!
How about you? What do you do with all the kids’ art? We’d love to hear in the comments below!
More Kids’ Artwork Solutions
- How to Organize Art Supplies for Kids
- 4 Steps to Organize Kids Artwork & Tackle the Stacks
- 6 Easy Ways to Store Kids Artwork
- 6 Easy Ways to Display Kids Artwork
- 21 Ways to Display Kids Artwork
- 6 Tips and Ideas for a Kids’ Art Room
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