As summer draws to an end and the school year begins, I like to think up fun craft projects to kick off the semester.  One that is a family favorite is making a yard stick art displayer.  My children are prolific artists.  There is a seemingly never-ending production of masterpieces every day.  I want to treasure each one, but what do I do with them? This art holder/displayer is our solution.  They are cheap, customizable, and extremely easy to make – even my youngest can participate.  We have made them when we move, redecorate, or when one breaks.  Artwork can be changed daily, or shown indefinitely.  I have them above their desks now, but in the past they have hung in their rooms as well.

Finished Displayer

What you need.

• One wooden yardstick per displayer.  If you can find the type with holes at each end, it makes hanging very simple.
• Wooden spring-loaded clothespins.  We use 5 on each displayer.
• Tempera paint in variety of colors.  Tempera makes clean-up very easy, but with older children acrylic or wood paint would work nicely also.
• Glue gun.

How to Assemble

Simply paint each yardstick and clothespin in desired colors.  Creativity is endless here.  My son made one with each clothespin as a different animal.  My daughter has drawn intricate characters and filled them in with a fine point brush.  Give them a theme, or let them decide!  You could do a different one to display each subject and decorate them accordingly.  (Ex:  One for Science decorated with beakers and test tubes to display scientific diagrams; a different one with numbers to display Math work, etc.)  I have found that a double layer of paint is best on the yardsticks to cover the measurements marked on them.  Also, keep in mind that only one side of each clothespin will be visible.

Next you will glue the clothespins to the yardstick, once all paint is dry.  We use 5 clothespins per yardstick and glue them evenly across.  I have also made them to hang vertically by gluing the clothespins long-ways down the yardstick.  This is perfect if horizontal wall space is limited.  Older children familiar with the safe use of a glue gun can do this entire project by themselves.  Younger children will need help gluing, of course.

Close-up of clothespin attachment

Have fun!  These have been a great way to show off the kids’ artwork while keeping tape off of the walls!

Yardstick Displayers in use

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