Childhood101

playing. learning. growing.

Sharing Our Kids Art Space

I have been collecting the items needed for a little art space in Immy’s playroom for some months now.  The table, storage drawers, stools came together easily with our wooden easel but I really wanted to have a special area for displaying Immy’s artwork.   Originally I planned to paint the wall with magnetic paint but then found that they don’t sell it in Australia any more.  Then I thought I might paint a frame or a series of frames on the wall (I seem to like that idea as you can see here in Immy’s bedroom) but I was a bit worried that my painting ability might fail me.  Then I saw this gorgeous nursery wall over at Hanna Mac (found via Li’l Magoolie) and I thought, “Why not just do it, you can always paint over it!”

I sent Dad 101 off for a sample pot of bright yellow paint, grabbed a pencil, ruler and artist’s paintbrush and set to work.  It took a couple of hours but I am so pleased with the results.  Now if you are really worried about your ability to paint straight on the walls then I am sure that these DIY removable fabric decal frames would work just as well.

I also wanted to add a space where Immy could hang her own pieces which came together as a display wire with pegs.  Plus I loved the yellow so much that our easel also saw a little painting action.

I know we are blessed to have space for a playroom but I cannot tell you how great this little art space is.  Immy spends time everyday drawing, cutting and pasting in her little nook!

The details:

Need help thinking beyond crayons and playdough when it comes to creative activities for your child?

Time to Create by Christie Burnett

Related Posts

Christie Burnett is a teacher, presenter, writer and the mother of two. She created Childhood 101 as a place for teachers and parents to access engaging, high quality learning ideas.

Read the comments or scroll down to add your own:

  3. Marnee says

    Gorgeous...our art space has become a blocked off area while miss 13months is in search and destroy mode but when I'm ready to get it back in order this is fantastic. Thank you for sharing and inspiring daily xx

  4. Jessie says

    Our art spaces match! I love Ikea. Childhood is so fleeting, if it doesn't last- that's okay. I love the bright space. Nice work!

  5. Lin says

    This is adorable! my daughter was fascinated with baby photos when she was little so I'd just tape them at her level. This is practical and cute and I am lucky to have an IKEA near me too :D

    • Heather says

      We don't have an IKEA! Yet... there is one in the works set to open in March 2011. Honestly, IKEA was the only thing we missed when we left the dusty phoenix desert and moved to the rocky mountains. Literally, we shopped there before we moved and purchased some chairs to take with us.

  8. Heather says

    Wow so you just drew those on the wall with a pencil, not using any type of stencil? Very impressive! What lovely idea too. Your daughter's art area is very cheery and simplistic, perfect for blossoming creativity! So glad I found your blog recently :)

  10. Jane says

    Oh my. I adore this space! It really did take my breath away. Immy is one lucky girl to have such a thoughtful and beautiful space to create and display her artwork. I've really been struggling for a while with ways to display my children's artwork, and this really gives me some brilliant ideas, so thank you!

  13. Super Sarah says

    I love, love, love this idea and have a big empty wall in our new playroom and a sample pot of lucious red paint that is just crying out to be used! I am so excited, thank you for sharing this idea, very clever. I will let you know when I complete an artspace for my girls!

  14. sarah says

    I'm SO envious of Immy's art space! We generally use the 'big' table for painting but this is so inviting. And I'm of the "you can always paint over it" school too. My only problem has been the example I've set (Mummy draws on the walls so it must be ok!)

  15. darla says

    that looks wonderful!!! what a great play and creating space! the wall frames look great- i love this idea!

  19. Rachelle says

    This is such an inspiring little spot for Immy! (And I'm insanely envious, of course!) Thanks for sharing all of your resources. And the empty yellow frames are a wonderful way to invite more art making! I just love it.

  21. Tricia says

    Lovely, lovely, lovely!! I've been planning a similar space in the corner of our kitchen. You've inspired me to finaly fit out the area. Thanks :-)

  22. pink and green mama says

    Adorable!! Such a bright colorful place to create and explore!! I love it ; ) xoxo pink and green mama, MaryLea

  23. Heather says

    That looks amazing! I thought I would let you know that you can buy magnetic paint in Australia. I bought some just 2 weeks ago to paint an area in my classroom. The brand was Resene. Something to keep in mind when you've had enough of the frames - although can't imagine that happening for quite awhile!

  25. Stacy of KSW says

    Coolest art display EVER! Hope you don't mind but I am tucking this idea away for my kids room redo I'm working on right now. I knew I wanted to display some of their work but I just wasn't sure how. I am now!

  26. Mommy to the Princesses says

    Love this! I should try this at home, but just afraid that my 9 mo old might destroy it! Free reign on art materials - my 4 year old will love it though! The art space you created is so beautiful and inspiring!

  28. The Artful Parent says

    Love it! I may have to paint some frames on our walls now... And I can't wait to get that Ikea table. I've been meaning to get a couple for our studio for a while now. -Jean

  30. Lacey says

    This is such an inviting space! how could anyone, especially a child, walk past without making something?!

  31. Marie says

    Oooh, that's just gorgeous. I'm off to have a look at my daughters room now to see if I can rearrange it (yet again!) to accomodate something like this! I've added you to my pinterest board, hope you don't mind!

    • Marie says

      ooops, forgot to add link to pinterest http://pinterest.com/buggeddesigns/children-s-spaces/ :)

  32. Janell Beals says

    What a fantastic space, a great area to let kids be as creative as they wish! I just wrote you an email via you contact form, would love to talk to you about featuring this space. Thank you, Janell

  33. Kristin says

    What a lovely space! I sure wish you could do up my art room:) You have a super blog - some great ideas both with the art space, and the creative projects. I loved the DEKA idea so much I ran to our local IKEA. Once I got it home I'm stumped on the install. How exactly did you install it that way (the instructions appear to be with the metal stubs pointing toward each other, rather than straight out from a wall as you have it). Thanks for any tips you can share!

  35. Angie says

    I love the art areas. My one request would be that you also include a picture of the area in use, or recently used, by a child. I always look at these beautiful set-ups, and have set up areas somewhat similar at home with my own children. But when in use, they don't look nearly as tidy and bright and wonderful. Reality check.

  37. Shirley Dubon says

    I love this art space! I want to make something similar for my daughter. Can you tell me how those white rail containers are called? I looked for them on ikea.com but couldn't find them. Thanks!

Trackbacks

  6. [...] Imagens: The Creative Mamma, All housing trends , Design Sponge, Childhood [...]
  7. [...] Beautiful children artwork galleries are all more than the blogosphere. I fell in enjoy with Christie’s painted yellow frames, and have been considering about these brown paper frames, but have yet to do either. Right up until [...]
  12. [...] Slide 1: Clothesline Display via From Greenwich Tumblr Slide 2: Empty Frame Display via A Soft Place Slide 3: Bulletin Boards for Each Child via 3 Meadowlake Cottage Slide 4: Full-on Display Wall via Roomzaar Slide 5: Create a Display Frame Using a Door via i heart organizing Slide 6: Re-purpose Some Cookie Sheets via Budget Wise Home Slide 7: Hang Clipboards via Clean And Centsible Slide 8: Repurpose Old Wooden Skirt Hangers via Montydob Slide 9: Hang Extra Large Clothespins via HGTV Slide 10: Paint Faux Frames via Childhood 101 [...]
  13. [...] kids’ artwork gallery ideas with wooden frames — but I love this decal frame idea from Childhood101  just as much. Just a bit more [...]
  14. [...] that quote! 3. Art hangers from strips of wood by Wendy Vonsosen Photography 4. Display wall from Childhood 101 5. Fabric covered cork board (think of the possibilities with fabric . . . appears to be a quite [...]
  17. [...] Transformer la maison en galerie d’art : Vous vous transformez en commissaire d’expo et sélectionnez, dans votre premier choix, les chefs-d’oeuvres à exposer. Au mur, sous vitrine, encadrés, suspendus ou collés simplement avec du masking tape –évitez le scotch de base qui ne manquera pas de déchirer le papier. Sharing Our Kids Art Space // CHILDHOOD [...]
  19. Wall Display Wednesday | Get Inspired to Display your Photos - Lissarie Photography says:
    [...] {Photo credit HERE} [...]
  24. […] kids’ artwork gallery ideas with wooden frames — but I love this decal frame idea from Childhood101  just as much. Just a bit more […]
  25. […] art display wall is inspired by a few I've seen around the internet, including these frames painted directly on the wall by Christie Burnett of Childhood 101 and these frames with clothespin clips by Ruth at Living Well, […]
  29. […]  Childhood 101 […]
  34. […] Nuestra primera propuesta la hemos visto en la imagen principal; hoy en día se encuentran en las tiendas especializadas una gran variedad de vinilos decorativos en forma de marco. Podemos crear con ellos una composición en la pared que nos permita ir cambiando los dibujos cuando queramos, ya que podemos colocarlos en el interior de cada marco usando clavitos pequeños o cinta adhesiva de dos caras. (Fuente: Childhood 101) […]
  35. […] it’s a really fun and free way to display talent: {from top left, clockwise} cork wall // art area // dining room // her own creative space // […]
  37. […] Paint funky frames onto the wall for a more permanent solution! via Childhood 101 […]

The Book

Learning Resources


Activities by Age

Baby
Toddler
Preschool
School-age
Family