How to Make a Cardboard Picture Frame
We all like to get our kids involved in projects which are in some way educational, beneficial or simply a good excuse to get them away from the television for a few hours. Of course, anyone with kids will know that doing so is a great deal easier said than done for a myriad of reasons.
Firstly, there is the matter of finding something that kids will be interesting by way of having something to show for their efforts. Secondly, finding an activity or project which is entirely safe is rather tricky, as is the third element, finding something affordable. As such, the process of making picture frames by hand could provide the ideal solution which indeed ticks all three boxes.
Needless to say, we are not suggesting for a moment that kids be let loose with the hammer drill and circular saw, but there is nothing to say that a little creativity and imagination cannot yield quite superb results even with the most basic of tools and materials. In this instance, we will be concentrating on the idea of cardboard picture frames.
The first bonus of cardboard is that it is incredibly easy to manipulate, therefore requiring little to no specialist tools or equipment, second of all it is generally safe and thirdly, there always seems to be tons of the stuff piled up around our homes and offices all year round. Therefore, gather a little together along with scissors of a utility knife, a pencil, tape, a little glue and any decorative element required and prepare to be amazed at just how creative you can be!
• Step One – Have a quick think about the shapes you would like the final frames to be and doodle them out on the cardboard. The really great thing here is that if there is an abundance of card, you can just draw out random shapes freehand until you find something that looks suitably impressive. Truly the sky is the limit here, even for those with little to drawing skills, who will often find that even the most simple shapes can have a huge impact. Of course, it is essential to remember to leave room for the photo or picture to be housed in the centre!!
• Step Two – Cut out the shapes and patterns drawn previously with a utility knife or scissors. It is at this stage that those who have shown off a little with their designs will be required to put in a little more effort and care with the cutting process, therefore should never rush. If using a knife, remember to always put the card on a suitable cutting board to avoid destroying tables or carpets!!
• Step Three – All that remains to be done at this stage is to let your imagination run wild by way of incorporating fancy wrappings, ribbons, paints, glitter and literally anything else your heart desires. Then, simply attach the photo or picture behind the centre hole and voila!
While it is possible to attach hanging mechanisms or strings to such frames, their lightweight characteristics make them perfect for mounting with blue tack or double-sided tape, perfect for any wall or surface without the need for drills, hammers or screws.
