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Preserve Kids Artwork in a Few Steps with Mod Podge

Do you have a child’s craft that you want to save from discoloring or disintegrating? Learn how to preserve kids artwork using Mod Podge!

Preserve Kids Artwork in a Few Steps

Before my kids graduate from high school, I should probably get a start on preserving some of the adorable, one-of-a-kind art projects they’ve brought home over the years.

Things are getting a little (very) dusty plus starting to fade and become brittle. I decided to experiment with a Mod Podge protective coating thinking that it might preserve my favorite pieces and maybe even restore them a bit. I wasn’t sure what to expect and I had a couple questions:

  • How would Mod Podge react with the ubiquitous water based grade school paint, ie: would it cause the paint to bleed or run?
  • What about the other staple of childhood – construction paper – might it disintegrate or tear from the moisture of the Mod Podge or even the stress of my paintbrush as I applied it?
  • Would the colors be significantly changed or deepened?

Happily, everything went really well and I had no issues at all (when does this ever happen??!) In fact, the Mod Podge strengthened the more-fragile-than-wet-tissue-paper wattle under the chin of one of the animals, hurray!

Do you have a child's craft that you want to save from discoloring or disintegrating? Learn how to preserve kids artwork using Mod Podge!

Preserve Paper Art

You will need:

  • Mod Podge Matte or Gloss, depending on your preference (I chose Matte)
  • An applicator – I used an inexpensive, small paint brush
  • Newspaper or other to protect your work surface
Do you have a child's craft that you want to save from discoloring or disintegrating? Learn how to preserve kids artwork using Mod Podge!

The process to preserve kids artwork is simple.

Dust or clean your object first, test a small area for compatibility (no smearing or other problems), then apply a coat of Mod Podge.

I’ve learned (the hard way) the value of letting coats dry completely between applications, so I waited 24 hours before adding the second coat. You could wait a few hours, just make sure it’s dry depending on your climate.

Do you have a child's craft that you want to save from discoloring or disintegrating? Learn how to preserve kids artwork using Mod Podge!

The results are fantastic! These little creatures look better than ever, their child-like character intact, a bit sturdier from the glue, and a slightly glossy surface that I can maintain. Yes, you can preserve kids artwork with Mod Podge!

Do you have a child's craft that you want to save from discoloring or disintegrating? Learn how to preserve kids artwork using Mod Podge!

I now have heirlooms I can pass down to my children – actually on second thought, I might not be able to part with them 😉

Visit our blog Hammer Like A Girl for other project ideas and follow us there or on our Facebook page to get regular updates!

Do you have a child's craft that you want to save from discoloring or disintegrating? Learn how to preserve kids artwork using Mod Podge!

If you are looking for additional inspiration, I’d love for you to check out the following posts: