Which Kids' Artwork and Schoolwork to Keep
A low-guilt way to choose what stays, what gets photographed and what goes
Quick answer
Keep a small selection you and your child care about, photograph other pieces if you like, and let the rest go. No research sets a number. A photo is a good reminder, though it is not the same as the original, so hold on to the few pieces that matter most.
At a glance
Things to try now
What to do now
- 1Choose one box or folder as your limit
- 2Go through the current pile and pull out just a few favorites
- 3Write the name, age and date in pencil on the back of each piece you keep
What to say
- “Which of these do you want to save in your special folder?”
- “Tell me about this one. What was happening in your picture?”
- “We can't keep them all, so let's take a photo of this one and choose our favorites to save.”
What to practice consistently
- Sorting a little at a time, such as at the end of each term
- Noting the story behind a piece while your child still remembers it
- Rotating art on display, and keeping favorites out of direct light
What to avoid
- Laminating pieces you want to last
- Using sticky tape, rubber bands or paper clips on keepers
- Storing the box in an attic, basement, kitchen or bathroom
These are common approaches mentioned in sources and by parents. They are informational, not prescriptive.
What parents say
We haven't published parent perspectives on this topic yet.
What this usually involves
- Setting a limit, such as one folder per school year
- Asking your child which pieces matter to them
- Photographing pieces you like but will not keep
- Writing the child's name, age and date in pencil on the keepers
- Storing what you keep flat, somewhere cool and dry
Related questions
The State Library of Queensland advises storing children's art flat and displaying a copy if you want a piece on show for a long time, because light damage cannot be undone.
The State Library of Queensland suggests talking with your child about what they value, and noting details such as the date and subject of a piece.
The US National Archives advises keeping originals you want to preserve after digitizing because digital files can be lost, so for most pieces the choice depends on how much the original means to you.
Related articles on Parent.wiki
Which Family Photos to Keep and Delete
Deleting is optional. Archival guidance focuses on choosing the photos that matter most and keeping the best version of each, and it leaves the amount up to you. Marking favorites first, then removing only near-identical shots, is one lower-stakes way to begin.
What to Save After a Family Member Dies
Most decisions about belongings can wait until you feel ready. A few digital things are easier to lose, so it can help to leave phones and accounts as they are while you work out what is there. Children's grief guidance points to clothing, photos and everyday objects as things children may treasure.
How to Talk With Your Child About Shared Memories
Researchers call it elaborative reminiscing: chatting about shared events with open questions, added details, talk about feelings and room for the child's own version. It has been linked to stronger memory, language and emotional skills. It can be learned, and it fits into ordinary moments.
Making a Memory Box With a Grieving Child
A memory box is any box where a child keeps things that remind them of the person who died. Bereavement organizations describe it as a way to stay connected to memories, even when that brings sadness. It can be a shoebox, and it can keep growing for years.
Worth remembering?
Parent.wiki helps you figure out what to try. HeyRosie can help you capture what happened, what worked, and the moments you want to keep.
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