If you’re a parent, you know the feeling—your kids bring home so much art. From finger paintings to doodles and drawings, it can be overwhelming to know what to do with it all. Do you keep it? Toss it? Store it in a bin for someday? I wanted to find a way to actually use my son’s art in a way that honored his creativity, so when we decided to redo his room, I had an idea: what if we turned his art into wallpaper?

It turned out amazing. Not only does it fit the soccer theme he requested, but it proudly displays his own drawings on the walls of his room. If you’re wondering how to turn kids art into wallpaper, I’m sharing the exact steps we took—it’s easier than you think, and the results are incredibly special.

how to turn kids art into wallpaper

Inspiration

Years ago, I was watching the TV show One of a Kind when designer Grace Mitchell did something that completely stuck with me—she turned her clients’ children’s art into custom wallpaper for their playroom. It had a pink background and was filled with the sweetest little doodles.

I remember thinking how magical it looked! I’ve always loved kids’ art—it’s so free, playful, and full of personality. Seeing it celebrated that way really left an impression on me. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to do the same thing, and now that the timing is right, I finally got to make it happen in my own son’s room!

Why This Works So Well

Kids are little creators, and their artwork tells stories about how they see the world. Turning their best pieces into wallpaper isn’t just a clever DIY—it’s a way to say your ideas matter and your creativity is beautiful. Instead of letting those drawings pile up in a box, this project gives them a place of honor right on your walls.

START WITH THE ART

For this project I had my son draw art specifically for the wallpaper. We talked about what he wanted and then he got to work. My son likes colored pencil so that’s what he used, but watercolor, marker, or crayon would work too.

Another fun option is to take art your child has already drawn and use that for the wallpaper.

Step 1: Pick the Art

To begin, choose your favorite drawings. I suggest going for pieces done on white paper—it makes the scanning and editing process much easier. For our project, my son drew all kinds of soccer-themed designs: balls, jerseys, shoes, trophies. I love that it reflects his current interests and personality.

Step 2: Scan It

Once you’ve chosen your favorites, scan them. I used PhotoScan by Google, which is a free app. It takes multiple shots and stitches them together into a high-quality image. You can also use a flatbed scanner, but the app is great for a quick, easy, and no cost solution that still looks professional.

Step 3: Build the Pattern

Using PicMonkey, I created a simple, repeatable pattern. Here’s how:

Start with a blank square canvas (I made mine 6000 x 6000 pixels- the biggest size possible on PicMonkey so it’s high resolution).
Upload 9 of the scanned drawings.
Space them out evenly in a grid format.
Use the background remover tool to clean up shadows or messy edges.
Play around until the design feels balanced.

If you want to turn kids art into wallpaper that really shines, keeping the layout clean and the design consistent makes all the difference. Tip- is you don’t have any of the kids art touch the edge of the canvas, you don’t have to worry about matching up the repeat. This makes it very beginner friendly.

Step 4: Upload and Print

Once your pattern is finalized, upload it to Spoonflower.com. Create a profile (if you don’t have one already), then click on “upload a design.” Once it’s uploaded, you can see how it looks on wallpaper, fabric, or other home decor items. If it’s too big, you can change the scale to smaller.

Once you’re happy with the design, you can order it as peel-and-stick wallpaper, traditional wallpaper, or even fabric. Then the wallpaper is custom printed just for your home and shipped to you. It’s seriously that easy! Seeing your child’s art come to life on the walls of their room is magical—and they’ll feel so proud to see their work celebrated this way.

You Can Do This With Your Own Art Too

While this project focused on my son’s creations, I’ve used the same method with my own drawings. In my pantry, I have fabric printed with little cakes I illustrated.

I even made a strawberry dress from a custom pattern I designed with hand-drawn berries and bows.

And in my closet, I took a scrap of vintage wallpaper and recreated the bow motif in colors that match my space, keeping the charm of the original but updating it with a modern twist.

Even though the focus here is how to turn kids art into wallpaper, the truth is this process works with any art. Whether it’s childlike doodles or vintage-inspired designs, it’s a powerful way to create something personal and one-of-a-kind.

Install

Once your custom wallpaper arrives, it’s time for the most exciting part—installation! As you apply it to the walls, you get to watch their art transform from drawings on paper to a full-fledged backdrop for their daily life.

I was honestly blown away by how meaningful it felt. My son’s soccer-themed wallpaper made the space feel more grown up, but still him. It’s personal, creative, and will be the backdrop to so many happy memories. He’s so proud of it—and I am too.

Final Thoughts

If your home is overflowing with kids’ drawings, don’t tuck them away—turn them into something beautiful and lasting.

When you turn kids art into wallpaper, you’re doing more than decorating a room—you’re celebrating your child, their creativity, and this season of life. And that’s something worth displaying.