Disclosure: I was compensated by Minted.com for sharing a review of their retail site. As always, my words, ideas, opinions, body, soul, etc. are my own.
I’ve discovered that having a child means being surprised on a daily basis – not just by random shrieks or mystery wetness but by how quickly these tiny humans become aware of the world around them. It seems like every day CC does something that I had no idea he could do yet.
For example, he began showing an interest in artwork when he was just a few months old. It started with a glossy stare at a colorful print, then later he became so excited by certain pictures or photographs that he would wave his arms and coo or chuckle. These days he can spend minutes (these are like hours in baby time) gazing at a picture in a book, tracing every line on a page and smiling when he finds one that is especially compelling.
Our friend, Tara, gave us a painting she made of a chimp before CC was born and it is by far is favorite piece of art in the house. He loves to rub his little hand over the chunky texture of the paint.
He seriously can’t get enough of that chimp. He’s similarly enthralled with every other piece of visual art in the house – so much so that I’ve had to move anything framed with glass or made of ceramic that his ever-growing arms can reach. The thing about kids and art is that it isn’t enough for them to just look. They want to touch too. Some might even say that they need to.
I was really impressed when my sister (who blogs over at Scissorina) recently installed a miniature kid-friendly art gallery in my nephew’s room. Sarah chose some prints and photographs that she knew he would love – including some artwork made by CC and a family portrait – and then framed them in simple frames made of wood and plastic. By removing the glass she made the pictures safe for the rough treatment of toddler hands, and sturdy enough to withstand all of his curiosity and appreciation.
The folks at Minted.com contacted me recently to see if I would like to try out some of their beautiful products which include prints, stationary, photo gifts, and even fabric by the yard – all featuring artwork created by independent designers. Many of their products can be customized too so you can make prints, cards, and party favors with your name on them. They even have a gorgeous line of wedding and party invitations.
After browsing their site, I knew this was the perfect opportunity to furnish CC with a little art gallery of his own. I picked out three prints for his room and personalized each of them. Minted.com‘s limited edition framed prints start at just $29.00 and use plexi-glass – a big plus if you are decorating a child’s room.
Tips for Sharing Art With Little Kids
- Make It Safe – Avoid using frames with glass or breakable embellishments. Instead, choose simple sturdy frames with plastic to cover the print – or just remove the glass from a traditional frame. Artwork on canvas is a great option too. Use Command Picture-Hanging Strips
instead of nails and metal hardware to hang the artwork and do your best to mount it flush to the wall. There is a great tutorial on this method of picture hanging here.
- Hang Art at Eye Level – Most of the time artwork is hung at the eye level of an adult. Try hanging the artwork where your child can enjoy it – at their eye level, two or three feet off the ground.
- Choose Artwork Your Kids Will Love – This might sound obvious but it is very easy to get caught up in the fun of interior design and forget that this particular project is about engaging your kid. Children tend to be drawn to colorful images with plenty of contrast and well-defined shapes. It can also be fun to look for artwork that reflects your child’s interests. CC is obsessed with cats so I made sure at least one of his prints featured cute kitties. Kids also love to look at faces of people they know. Adding a family portrait is likely to delight your little one.
- Invest In Art That Grows With Your Child – If you’d like to keep the same artwork hanging for years try to avoid buying pieces that are overly babyish. Look for artwork that would appeal to both toddlers and older kids.
Another really fun option is to forgo buying prints and make your own art instead. You can even include your little ones in the project. Here are a few to get you started:
- Canvas and Tape Paintings | Robin Egg View
- Children’s Artwork Collage | Playful Learning
- Cut It Out Canvas | Brassy Apple
- Custom Canvas Wall Art | Brit + Co