Kids Art Frame

Show off their latest masterpiece and tuck the rest away for safekeeping

- BY CARMEN DE LA PAZ

Whether it's a child, grandchild or family friend, most of us know a kid who loves to share their artwork. It often ends up taped to the fridge or tucked behind something to prop it up—until it gets torn, crinkled or lost. I've been guilty of finding one too many forgotten drawings stashed in a drawer, so I decided to make a dual-function frame that both displays and safely stores kids' art. Here's how I did it.

1 CUT THE CHANNELS Use a table saw to cut the sides (A) and top/bottom (B) a little longer than the dimensions in the cut list. Then cut three ¼-in.-deep, ⅛-in.-wide channels ⅜ in., 1⅜ in. and 2½ in. from the back edge of each piece to accommodate the two dry-erase boards (E) and the plexiglass (D). Test the fit on a scrap piece of material. If the channel is too tight, move the measurements over 1/32 in. and pass the wood through the table saw again.

2 CUT THE PLEXIGLASS Cut the plexiglass (acrylic or polycarbonate) sheet (D) to 9½ by 12 in. on the table saw to match the dry-erase boards (E). Inspect the sheet for small cracks and chips along the edge and, if possible, cut it to prevent them from growing.