DIY

Easy Kid Decor

  DIY Paper Mache Animal Plaques

The toy room is the space in the house where I can be crazy and have fun decorating.  When kids come over to our house, most of them run in and run straight up the stairs to their space.  I want kids to continue to love the space, and I felt it “needed” three things:

  • The whimsical animal head plaques popping up everywhere.
  • The felt ball garland makes every space instantly cool.
  • My kid’s artwork.

I have been super crafty this week, and I have not one, but THREE easy and inexpensive tutorials for you all today!

Paper Mache Elephant copy

I’ve been obsessing over all the fun animal head plaques I’ve seen people making, and I created a few (odd) creatures myself.  These little guys are really inexpensive to make and surprisingly not as hard as would expect!

Animal Plaque Supplies

For this project, you’ll need:

  • plastic bowl (I picked mine up at the dollar store in a three-pack!)
  • wooden plaque
  • spray paint
  • styrofoam balls (also found at the dollar store)
  • glue gun
  • cardboard (I forgot to add this in the pic, but a cereal box works great!)
  •  

Painting Plaques

I spray-painted my plaque and created my creature(s) using the supplies I had.

Elephant Craft

I used hot glue to glue my cardboard and styrofoam balls and make my elephant. Next, you’ll need the supplies for the paper mache:

  • newspaper
  • water
  • flour
  • bowl

Making Paper Mache

I created a paste using water and flour and cut strips of newspaper.

paper mache elephant

My daughter loved helping me with this part: You just past the strips and completely cover your creature.  After it has fully dried, you can paint it.  I used spray paint because it’s so easy.

Elephant Craft copy

Then, use the glue gun and glue your animal to the painted plaque.

Elephant head plaque

And if you want to see how I made the bear, here’s the breakdown:

Bear

And our pig (which my daughter declared was “weird but cute”):

Pig

I had a few extra plaques, so I used mod podge and created plaques of the kid’s artwork:

Chalkboard Wall Playroom

This is the EASIEST project, and your kids will feel like superstars when they see their artwork on display.  All you need for this project is:

  • wooden plaque
  • spray paint
  • artwork
  • mod podge
  • sponge brush
  •  

Kids Art Plaques

You glue the back of the artwork to the plaque and then cover the entire top of the plaque and artwork with Mod Podge.

Artwork Plaque

I let my kids pick their favorite piece.  My daughter’s artwork may give you nightmares.  From far away, it’s a sweet bunny.  But up close…are you ready for it?!

Scary Bunny

It’s like the easter bunny got mixed up and thought it was Halloween. These plaques are flat on the back, so there isn’t any way to hang them with a nail.  I used Command Strips.

Comman Strips

 

 

 They won’t damage the walls, so they were a great solution for my plaques!

Applying Command Strips

Chalkboard Wall Playroom

Animal Head Plaques

I have one more EASY craft for you.  Notice the adorable gold ball garland hanging over my animal plaques?  I LOVE the felt ball garland I see everywhere.  I had a bunch of styrofoam balls leftover from my animal head plaques, so I decided to paint them and create a cute garland.

Gold Ball Garland Supplies

For this project you’ll need:

  • A needle and string
  • styrofoam balls
  • scissors
  • spray paint

I painted my balls in a cardboard box (they will roll all over as you paint them.  This is an easy way to contain them and the paint mess).  Once they dried, I strung them!

Gold Ball Garland

And I hung them using Command™ Clear Hooks.

Command Hooks

These things are awesome and like the picture hanging strips, they won’t damage your walls.

Command Hook

These projects were SO inexpensive and are an easy way to add fun to your child’s bedroom or toy room.

Play Room DIY decor

Chalkboard Wall

Go create something!

Are you new to my blog? Go HERE to see my home tour and HERE to shop for items I use in our home.

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One thought on “Easy Kid Decor

We're On Instagram
I love this chair and side table from @zgallerie that I decided to try it in my office/library. I’m not sure where I love it more - here or my bedroom! It adds so much elegance and charm to the spaces. Use my code SY5 at checkout for 5% off your entire purchase.
Shop My Favorites by commenting LINKS or through the link in my bio #ZGallerie #MyZgallerie #Zgallerie #ModernLuxury #LuxuryInterior

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26 11
We waited 13 years for this - and our house looks happier with her glow-up!

We went from a drafty single door (with a 90s glass inlay I poorly covered up) to double doors that allows in more light and feel right for our home.

What do you think?

...

89 38
My patio is all ready for warmer weather thanks to the new launch with @livabliss + @galeyalix! I’m LOVING the checkerboard outdoor rug. Comment “PATIO” and I’ll send you the links! #Livabliss #LivablissHome #GaleyALixxLivabliss #HomeDecor #Rugs

...

40 16
I’ve been slowly refreshing our bedroom and recently added this beautiful swivel chair and side table from @zgallerie! They add the perfect elegant modern touch to the space. Use my code SY5 at checkout for 5% off your entire purchase. Shop My Favorites by commenting “LINKS” or through the link in my bio. 
#gifted #ZGallerie #MyZgallerie #Zgallerie #ModernLuxury

...

20 16
What started as a leak turned into my dream bathroom ✨ I partnered with @wayfair and found everything - from checkerboard tile to the vanities, mirrors, and faucets. Comment “LINK” and I’ll send you all my favorite finds! *Shower glass coming soon! #ad #wayfaircreator #homereno

...

70 34
@wayfair is helping us turn a disaster into something beautiful ✨A leak from our upstairs shower led to a full remodel, and I can’t wait to show you the AFTER! Bathroom remodel reveal coming soon. Comment “LINKS” and I’ll send all my Wayfair favorites! #ad #wayfaircreator #wayfair #homereno

...

48 15
*TWO THINGS that make wallpaper removal easy* Wallpaper has come a long way and there’s no need to be scared of it anymore! Before I hang wallpaper, I size the walls and often use pre-pasted SureStrip wallpaper that is activated with water! Comment WALLPAPER for easy to remove wallpaper links!

...

41 29
What a difference pattern can make in a space! 

Are you ready to try wallpaper in your home?

...

131 46
2016 didn’t seem that long ago until I dug through my blog for old home photos. 😳

...

112 13
Dreaming of spring days while winter does its thing.

...

63 14
We're On Instagram
I love this chair and side table from @zgallerie that I decided to try it in my office/library. I’m not sure where I love it more - here or my bedroom! It adds so much elegance and charm to the spaces. Use my code SY5 at checkout for 5% off your entire purchase.
Shop My Favorites by commenting LINKS or through the link in my bio #ZGallerie #MyZgallerie #Zgallerie #ModernLuxury #LuxuryInterior

...

26 11
We waited 13 years for this - and our house looks happier with her glow-up!

We went from a drafty single door (with a 90s glass inlay I poorly covered up) to double doors that allows in more light and feel right for our home.

What do you think?

...

89 38
My patio is all ready for warmer weather thanks to the new launch with @livabliss + @galeyalix! I’m LOVING the checkerboard outdoor rug. Comment “PATIO” and I’ll send you the links! #Livabliss #LivablissHome #GaleyALixxLivabliss #HomeDecor #Rugs

...

40 16
I’ve been slowly refreshing our bedroom and recently added this beautiful swivel chair and side table from @zgallerie! They add the perfect elegant modern touch to the space. Use my code SY5 at checkout for 5% off your entire purchase. Shop My Favorites by commenting “LINKS” or through the link in my bio. 
#gifted #ZGallerie #MyZgallerie #Zgallerie #ModernLuxury

...

20 16
What started as a leak turned into my dream bathroom ✨ I partnered with @wayfair and found everything - from checkerboard tile to the vanities, mirrors, and faucets. Comment “LINK” and I’ll send you all my favorite finds! *Shower glass coming soon! #ad #wayfaircreator #homereno

...

70 34
@wayfair is helping us turn a disaster into something beautiful ✨A leak from our upstairs shower led to a full remodel, and I can’t wait to show you the AFTER! Bathroom remodel reveal coming soon. Comment “LINKS” and I’ll send all my Wayfair favorites! #ad #wayfaircreator #wayfair #homereno

...

48 15
*TWO THINGS that make wallpaper removal easy* Wallpaper has come a long way and there’s no need to be scared of it anymore! Before I hang wallpaper, I size the walls and often use pre-pasted SureStrip wallpaper that is activated with water! Comment WALLPAPER for easy to remove wallpaper links!

...

41 29
What a difference pattern can make in a space! 

Are you ready to try wallpaper in your home?

...

131 46
2016 didn’t seem that long ago until I dug through my blog for old home photos. 😳

...

112 13
Dreaming of spring days while winter does its thing.

...

63 14