Decorate a Memory Box: Turn Coloring Pages into Keepsakes

Learn how to decorate a memory box using your adult coloring pages and Mod Podge! This DIY project makes a perfect, personalized gift for any occasion.

Decorate a memory box with coloring pages

I’ve always been a huge fan of adult coloring, and I’ve shared so many fun ideas on this blog, from my wood tray to a coloring book name plaque.

It’s a creative outlet that I can’t get enough of! With Mother’s Day just around the corner, I wanted to create a personalized gift that would mean something special.

My mom adores butterflies. I made her a jewelry box several years ago using scrapbook paper, Mod Podge, and clay. She still loves it, but she wanted something a little bigger for keepsakes.

top of the box with coloring page detail

So I thought – why not turn some of my finished coloring pages into a beautiful memory box? This project is easy to customize for anyone you have in mind. Ready to dive in and make your own?

I’m going to show you how to do it below! I used Mod Podge Satin in this project, but you can use whichever of the finishes is your favorite. Here’s the project.

Decorate a Keepsake Box

Gather These Supplies

Unfinished wood box
Coloring pages
Acrylic paint – color of your choice
Mod Podge Satin
Scissors
Paintbrushes
Box lining materials (optional) – felt or polar fleece, ribbon
Sandpaper (optional)

Prep the Box

This is the wood box I used to make this gift. You can get it from Michaels from the unfinished wood section.

Unfinished wood box with the lid closed and then open

You don’t have to use sandpaper, but it might be a good idea if there are any rough spots on the box. Wipe away the dust with a wet cloth.

Paint the Box

Basecoat the box with white. This is a great little tip! Basecoating with white is a great way to make the final color pop off the surface. It makes the blue I chose look way more vibrant! Let dry.

Painting the outside of a wood box with white to basecoat

Paint the box with your second color, the color you intend the box to be. Paint the inside and outside (you don’t have to paint the tray portion if you intend to line it). Let dry.

Unfinished wood box painted blue outside and then on the trim

Cut Out Coloring Pages

Cut out any pages you’d like to use. Make sure that your color pages are dry for at least a day before the next step.

If you want tips on using ink, pencils, and crayons with Mod Podge, reference this post. You should be fine with most mediums as long as you let them dry long enough.

cut out coloring pages on top of a blue box

Mod Podge Designs to the Box

Cut your designs out and decoupage to the top of your box. Trim anything that goes over the edge with the scissors. You can also add a design to the inside of the box – that’s what I did with a mandala!

Adding coloring pages to the top of a box with Mod Podge

Coat the entire box with Mod Podge and let dry. If you decide to decoupage the inside of the box – let it dry with the lid OPEN. Trust me! You don’t want it to stick!

Add a Liner

The lining is optional, but it adds a nice finish to the inside. I cut it to fit with fleece and ribbon, then glued in with Mod Podge. If you find the fleece doesn’t stick with the Mod Podge, just use a craft glue.