One of the most popular party favors is a framed picture of the party guest taken at your kids party. He or she could be showing off a silly hat or party costume, performing an outrageous party game stunt, or wearing a face full of frosting and ice cream.

Having party guests create their own make-and-take frame to display this memorable photo makes it an even greater treasure for the memory box.

Start with a plain square of cardboard with an opening the size of your picture. When the decorating is done, simply glue picture to the back of the frame.

Here's a brainstorm of frame ideas and decorating materials kids can use:

*Cut your photo into a circle and glue to the center of a nice shiny CD. Decorate with star stickers.

*Cut frames from different colored craft foam. Layer the foam squares for a unique effect. Decorative foam pieces in many unique shapes and themes are available at your craft store.

*Make a simple craft stick frame and decorate it with faux gems, sequins, sparkles, or stickers.

*Fashion a frame with craft clay.

*Use faux craft fur to make a really "wild" looking frame. Great for a jungle themed party.

*Tie one end of a long length of colorful yarn to your cardboard square. Wrap the yarn around and around the square until it is completely covered.

*Glue tiny Barbie doll accessories such as combs, brushes, sunglasses, and purses. Ideal for a Barbie party or little girl's dress up party.

*Brush a square of cardboard with white craft glue. Sprinkle craft sand onto the glue in different colors and patterns. Shake excess sand onto newspapers and let dry.

*Use outdoor treasures such as tiny pine cones, leaves, and small stones to make a nature frame. Perfect for a garden party or bug party.

*Colorful buttons in various sizes and shapes can be laid out in an interesting design.

*Apply geometrical shapes of felt in a creative pattern.

*Cover your frame with pretty fabric.

*Apply colored clay shapes to your cardboard square.

*Hard edible sugar decorations for cakes come in a variety of themes. These can be used to decorate your frame.

*Different shapes of macaroni make interesting frame decorations. Try elbows, wheels, bowties, and fusilli.

*Tiny colored pompoms make a cute soft frame. Apply complementary colors in rows.

*Tear off one inch pieces of multi-colored tissue paper. Pinch between fingers, dip in glue and apply to your frame.

*Small dried beans or peas laid out in intricate patterns make a unique frame.

Kids will love the hands-on party activity and parents will enjoy their child's picture displayed in their own uniquely creative frame.

Copyright 2005 Kids Party Paradise All Rights Reserved

Patricia Jensen

I have a passion for the written word, and have been a freelance writer for many years. I enjoy growing my website, Kids Party Paradise, because it is like creating an ever-changing, ever-evolving online ?book? about a topic I enjoy - kids parties!

As a mother of three, I have plenty of first-hand knowledge about making kids party cakes and decorations, organizing games, making costumes, crafts, and party food, and more. I share much of this kid-focused information on Kids Party Paradise.com.

As a Work-at-Home Mom, my online endeavors not only satisfy my creative side and contribute to the family income, but it allows me to spend more time with my children.

I also trade on Ebay, a fun and fascinating venue to market just about anything. In addition to reselling various items, I buy and sell vintage and collectible children?s pop up books on Ebay. I have become an expert on this subject, simply by monitoring auctions each day and studying the popularity and marketability of various pop-up engineers and their work.

I am a devout Catholic and enjoy practicing and sharing my faith with others.

In the future, I plan to expand into more web sites based on my hobbies and interests.

I hope you enjoy reading my family-friendly articles and visiting my kids party site!