Gifts Made From Kids' Artwork: 15 Ideas, Honestly Compared

Your fridge is full. The drawer is full. There's a box in the closet labeled "Art" that's no longer closing. And every drawing in there is, in its own way, precious.

Turning some of those drawings into gifts is one of the best ways to keep them, and to give relatives something they'll genuinely love. We make one of these options ourselves (embroidery), but there are lots of good ones. Here's an honest look at fifteen, with what each is best for.

Display ideas

1. Framed original

What it is: The drawing itself, in a proper frame, ideally with a mat. Best for: A single standout drawing; grandparents' walls. Pros: Cheap, simple, keeps the original. Cons: Paper fades in direct sunlight over time; only one person can have the original.

2. Gallery wall

What it is: Several drawings in matching frames, swapped out over time. Best for: Kids' rooms, hallways, playrooms. Pros: Celebrates many drawings; easy to rotate. Cons: Needs wall space; not really a gift for someone else.

3. Art print

What it is: A high-quality print of a scanned drawing. Best for: Giving the same drawing to several relatives. Pros: The original stays safe; you can make copies. Cons: Loses the texture of crayon on paper.

Book and paper ideas

4. Art book

What it is: A printed photo book of a year's worth of drawings. Best for: Archiving lots of art in a small space; grandparents. Pros: Compact; lets you keep many drawings and recycle the bulky originals. Cons: Takes time to scan and lay out.

5. Calendar

What it is: Twelve drawings, one per month. Best for: Holiday gifts for grandparents and aunts. Pros: Seen every day for a year. Cons: Lasts one year; then it's usually recycled.

6. Cards and stationery

What it is: Holiday cards, thank-you notes or notecards printed with a drawing. Best for: Sending to the whole family. Pros: Inexpensive; fun for kids to see their art mailed out. Cons: Short-lived by nature.

7. Wrapping paper

What it is: Paper printed with your child's art, or kids drawing directly on plain paper. Best for: Making any gift more personal. Pros: Charming and cheap. Cons: Gets torn off in seconds.

Everyday objects

8. Mug

What it is: A drawing printed on a mug. Best for: The coffee-loving grandparent. Pros: Used daily; affordable. Cons: Many people already have plenty of mugs; prints can wear in the dishwasher.

9. Pillow or blanket

What it is: A drawing printed on a cushion or throw. Best for: Cozy gifts; kids' rooms. Pros: Large format shows off a big drawing. Cons: Decor style may not suit everyone's home.

10. Tea towel or apron

What it is: A drawing printed on kitchen textiles; recipe drawings work especially well. Best for: The grandparent who bakes. Pros: Practical and sweet. Cons: Gets used hard, so it may wear.

11. Puzzle

What it is: A drawing turned into a jigsaw puzzle. Best for: Puzzle-loving families; a fun reveal. Pros: An activity and a keepsake. Cons: Usually done once, then boxed.

Keepsakes

12. Stuffed toy from a drawing

What it is: A plush toy sewn to look like a child's drawn creature. Best for: The child themselves; a magical surprise. Pros: Kids are often amazed to see their drawing become real. Cons: Usually one of the pricier options.

13. Jewelry

What it is: A small drawing or handwriting engraved on a pendant, bracelet or keychain. Best for: Moms and grandmas who wear jewelry daily. Pros: Worn close; discreet. Cons: Only very simple line drawings work at that size.

14. Christmas ornament

What it is: A drawing printed or engraved on an ornament, dated. Best for: Building a yearly tradition. Pros: Comes out every December; becomes a collection. Cons: Seen only a few weeks a year.

15. Embroidery on clothing

What it is: A drawing stitched in thread onto a hoodie or a T-shirt. Best for: Parents and grandparents who'll wear it; a gift that gets shown off. Pros: Durable; textured and handmade-looking; worn and seen regularly. Cons: Very fine details get simplified because thread has thickness; it costs more than a print.

This is what we do at ANORA. We keep each drawing as the child drew it, simplifying only where thread requires. Our film The Fridge Museum is about a drawing that graduated from the fridge door to something grandpa wears.

How to choose

Ask three questions:

1. Who's it for? A grandparent who'll wear it, display it, or use it in the kitchen?
2. How long should it last? A card is for now; a frame or embroidery is for years.
3. Which drawing? Bold, simple drawings work across almost every option. Fine pencil drawings suit prints and books better.

What about all the rest?

Turning a few drawings into gifts doesn't solve the overflowing box. For that, see our guide to organizing kids' artwork. Our film Every Parent Has This Box is a gentle look at the dilemma, and Help Me Declutter the Kids' Room is a funny one.

If you'd like to try embroidery, you can upload a drawing here and see a preview on a hoodie or a T-shirt. During our grand opening, code BESTGIFT takes 15% off.

Frequently asked questions

What can I make from my child's drawings?

Framed art, prints, photo books, calendars, cards, mugs, pillows, puzzles, ornaments, jewelry, plush toys and embroidered clothing are all popular options.

What is the best gift from a child's artwork for grandparents?

It depends on the grandparent. Photo books and calendars suit those who love to look; mugs and tea towels suit daily users; embroidered clothing suits those who'd love to wear and show off the art.

Do I need the original drawing for these gifts?

Usually not. Most options work from a clear photo or scan, so you can keep the original safe.

Which drawings work best for gifts?

Bold lines and clear colors work across almost every format. Very faint or detailed drawings suit prints and books best.