15 Creative Ways To Keep Your Kids Memories Alive Forever

By Editorial Staff in Amazing On 11th January 2015

If there’s one thing mamas know, it’s that our kids grow up WAY too fast. While it’s truly a miracle to watch them learn and grow, there’s always a part of us that is sad they will never fit in the crook of our arm again. Luckily there are a lot of creative people out there who have come up with some amazing ways to capture our memories so we can keep them for years to come. We hope you love this list we've come up with!

#1 Make an Ornament from Your Hospital Hat and Bracelet

That cute baby beanie from the hospital will be imprinted on your mind forever, but once your little on grows out of it, it's probably just going to sit in a drawer. Buy an inexpensive plastic ornament from a craft store that opens in the middle. Stuff with your baby's hospital hat and bracelet and enjoy every holiday season. Once they're old enough, your child will love hearing the story of their birth every Christmas!

#2 Make Annual Photo Albums

We take thousands of photos a year of our children between our cameras and phones. Don't let the majority of them sit on your computer, sight unseen. Create annual photo albums of your kids so you can look back whenever you want. They are excellent grandparent gifts and awesome coffee table books. To save yourself time, do a few pages after every holiday or event and your book will come together in no time! Use a great site like Shutterfly or Snapfish and you'll be a digital scrapbooking pro!

#3 Laminate Their Artwork

Kids probably end up doing hundreds of artwork pieces over the course of their lives. While you can't save everything, you can probably think of a handful that are your favorite to save and cherish forever. Better yet, pick the best of your kids holiday art pieces, laminate them, and use them as decorations when the season is appropriate. They will lie flat and not take up a ton of space, and will get primo viewing time every year!

#4 Document Your Pregnancy

You may remember the best parts of your pregnancy but your kids won't! From ultrasounds to labor and delivery, there's much to tell in your children's arrival into the world. Many moms -to-be take a weekly picture (including me!) to show their growing belly. You can also scrapbook, blog and use a great site like The Day Baby Was Born to help record your 9 month journey towards motherhood.

#5 Salt Dough Hand and Footprints

Nothing reminds you of how little your kids are more than an imprint of their tiny hands and feet. Use a basic salt dough recipe to capture your kids hands every year. They can be made into ornaments, wall hangings, paperweights or just plain grandparent gifts. You won't regret making these!

#6 Heirloom Quilts Using Baby Clothes

What's even sadder than storing away TONS of baby clothes that are too small is knowing that your little one is growing so fast before your eyes. If you're handy with a sewing machine, use your favorite onesies and make an heirloom quilt with the fabric. You can also find tons of Etsy vendors who will make one for you if you send them your clothes.

#7 Keep Your Ticket Stubs- From Everything!

You and your kids will go to tons of movies, sporting events and shows during their childhood. You can keep the memories alive and organized if you buy a ticket stub diary. Your tickets will stay clean and preserved, bringing you lots of joy every time you look back on your time together with your kids.

#8 Turn Artwork Into a Keychain

For a nominal fee, you can turn your favorite drawings from your kids into a keychain! Depending on the metal used, it could cost you a pretty penny, but will last much longer than construction paper and you can carry it with you wherever you go!

#9 Use a Height Ruler

Nothing says growing like keeping track of your kids height! These days there are tons of custom rulers you can buy so there's no need to rip the door frame out of your house if you move. You can take your ruler with you, and more importantly, the memories.

#10 Handwriting Samples

This is a fresh and wonderful idea! Once your kids hit grade school age, take a sample of their handwriting every year. You'll be able to look back and see how they mature before your very eyes!

#11 First Day of School T-Shirt

Buy or make a T-shirt with the phrase "Class of XXXX" and include your child's graduation from high school date. Make sure you buy a large size! Every year, take a photo on the first day of school with them wearing it until they hit Senior Year!

#12 Save Favorite Toys in a Shadowbox

Not all toys can be saved (especially the extra "loved" ones) but many can be used as decoration. Take a shadowbox and fill it with those old Little People, squeaker toys and Matchbox cars and you've got the perfect combination of memories and decor.

#13 Maintain a Family Blog

Not only can you keep friends and family updated on your happenings, blogs are a great way to document your kids childhood. They may take a little effort to upkeep, but if you choose, it can be on the Internet forever and your kids will always have access to it.

#14 Thumbprint Jewelry

An amazing company called Smallprint specializes in jewelry to preserve your little one's thumbprints. They are beautiful and come in tons of designs, including multiple pendants so none of your kids will be left out!

#15 You Are Special Plate

When you have a special day, bring out the You Are Special Plate and have the guest of honor sign and date the back with a permanent marker. We did this in my family and have wonderful memories attached to such a simple idea. It was an American tradition to honor those on their special day by eating off The Red Plate, and you now you can do the same!

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