19 Kids Wall Art Ideas on a Budget

My daughter’s wall was blank for a year because I kept waiting for the perfect art, and then one afternoon she taped her own drawing up there with pink tape and the whole room changed. That is when I stopped overthinking kids wall art ideas and started with what we already had.

Every idea below costs little or nothing, uses things like washi tape, old frames, and their own drawings, and can be changed in an afternoon. For more cheap wall fixes, see (see also: budget-kids-wall-art) and (see also: gallery-wall-ideas-for-kids-rooms).

Start With Their Own Art

1. Framed Prints of Their Own Drawings

When our kids room started feeling messy and tired, framed prints of their own drawings was the first thing I tried, because it was cheap and easy to undo. The best part is that it uses things most of us already have at home, so the real cost stays low. First, I cleared the spot and measured it, because guessing sizes is how I have wasted money before. Second, I added the supporting pieces around it, keeping the colors simple so nothing clashed. Third, I added a couple of small finishing touches, then lived with it for a day before deciding it was done. My mistake was buying the fancier version first; the plain one worked just as well for half the price. That small change made the whole room feel calmer, and I catch myself smiling at it most mornings.

Cost: ~$19 | Time: 90 minutes

2. Peel-and-Stick Dinosaur Decals Above the Bed

I picked peel-and-stick dinosaur decals above the bed because our kids room needed something practical first and pretty second, and this managed both. It works for rented rooms too, because nothing here damages the walls or leaves marks behind. First, I gathered everything I needed in one place so I was not running back and forth mid-project. Second, I adjusted the height and position twice until it felt right at my kid’s eye level, not mine. Third, I tidied the surrounding area so the new piece stood out instead of getting lost in clutter. My first attempt went wrong because I skipped measuring, and I ended up with a piece that was two inches too wide for the spot. It is not fancy, but it does the job every day, and that is what matters in a kid’s room.

Cost: ~$7 | Time: 50 minutes

3. A DIY Rainbow Made From Painted Cardboard

I chose a diy rainbow made from painted cardboard for our kids room because it fixed a small daily annoyance without costing much, and it looked better in real life than I expected. The best part is that it uses things most of us already have at home, so the real cost stays low. First, I cleaned the area properly and let it dry, which makes everything stick and sit better. Second, I put the main piece in place and stepped back to check it from the doorway, which is where you actually see it. Third, I asked my kid what they thought and moved one thing based on their answer, which made them love it more. The mistake I made was choosing looks over sturdiness, and it wobbled until I fixed it with a couple of cheap brackets.

Cost: ~$8 | Time: 30 minutes

4. Washi Tape Frames Around Printed Photos

This one started as a quick fix in our kids room, and washi tape frames around printed photos turned out to be the change my kid noticed first. It works for rented rooms too, because nothing here damages the walls or leaves marks behind. First, I tried the idea in the cheapest possible way, just to see if it worked before spending more. Second, I secured everything properly so it would survive being bumped, pulled, and climbed on. Third, I took a photo to compare with the before, and the difference was bigger than I expected. My mistake was buying the fancier version first; the plain one worked just as well for half the price. It cost very little, took one afternoon, and it is still one of the first things visitors notice.

Cost: ~$12 | Time: 15 minutes

5. A Canvas With Handprint Art in Bright Colors

I tried a canvas with handprint art in bright colors in our kids room after seeing it done cheaply at a friend’s house, and I wish I had done it a year earlier. The best part is that it uses things most of us already have at home, so the real cost stays low. First, I cleared the spot and measured it, because guessing sizes is how I have wasted money before. Second, I added the supporting pieces around it, keeping the colors simple so nothing clashed. Third, I added a couple of small finishing touches, then lived with it for a day before deciding it was done. My first attempt went wrong because I skipped measuring, and I ended up with a piece that was two inches too wide for the spot.

Cost: ~$15 | Time: 25 minutes

Walls That Teach and Track

6. Wooden Animal Silhouettes on the Wall

wooden animal silhouettes on the wall was the kind of project I kept putting off in our kids room, until one Saturday I finally did it in under an hour. It works for rented rooms too, because nothing here damages the walls or leaves marks behind. First, I gathered everything I needed in one place so I was not running back and forth mid-project. Second, I adjusted the height and position twice until it felt right at my kid’s eye level, not mine. Third, I tidied the surrounding area so the new piece stood out instead of getting lost in clutter. The mistake I made was choosing looks over sturdiness, and it wobbled until I fixed it with a couple of cheap brackets. It is simple, it works, and it makes the room feel cared for instead of thrown together.

Cost: ~$6 | Time: 90 minutes

7. A String-and-Peg Photo Display Line

When our kids room started feeling messy and tired, a string-and-peg photo display line was the first thing I tried, because it was cheap and easy to undo. The best part is that it uses things most of us already have at home, so the real cost stays low. First, I cleaned the area properly and let it dry, which makes everything stick and sit better. Second, I put the main piece in place and stepped back to check it from the doorway, which is where you actually see it. Third, I asked my kid what they thought and moved one thing based on their answer, which made them love it more. My mistake was buying the fancier version first; the plain one worked just as well for half the price. That small change made the whole room feel calmer, and I catch myself smiling at it most mornings.

Cost: ~$20 | Time: 50 minutes

8. Alphabet Posters in Bold Primary Colors

I picked alphabet posters in bold primary colors because our kids room needed something practical first and pretty second, and this managed both. It works for rented rooms too, because nothing here damages the walls or leaves marks behind. First, I tried the idea in the cheapest possible way, just to see if it worked before spending more. Second, I secured everything properly so it would survive being bumped, pulled, and climbed on. Third, I took a photo to compare with the before, and the difference was bigger than I expected. My first attempt went wrong because I skipped measuring, and I ended up with a piece that was two inches too wide for the spot. It is not fancy, but it does the job every day, and that is what matters in a kid’s room.

Cost: ~$10 | Time: 30 minutes

9. A Large World Map for Dreaming Big

I chose a large world map for dreaming big for our kids room because it fixed a small daily annoyance without costing much, and it looked better in real life than I expected. The best part is that it uses things most of us already have at home, so the real cost stays low. First, I cleared the spot and measured it, because guessing sizes is how I have wasted money before. Second, I added the supporting pieces around it, keeping the colors simple so nothing clashed. Third, I added a couple of small finishing touches, then lived with it for a day before deciding it was done. The mistake I made was choosing looks over sturdiness, and it wobbled until I fixed it with a couple of cheap brackets.

Cost: ~$18 | Time: 15 minutes

10. Felt Animal Heads Mounted on the Wall

This one started as a quick fix in our kids room, and felt animal heads mounted on the wall turned out to be the change my kid noticed first. It works for rented rooms too, because nothing here damages the walls or leaves marks behind. First, I gathered everything I needed in one place so I was not running back and forth mid-project. Second, I adjusted the height and position twice until it felt right at my kid’s eye level, not mine. Third, I tidied the surrounding area so the new piece stood out instead of getting lost in clutter. My mistake was buying the fancier version first; the plain one worked just as well for half the price. It cost very little, took one afternoon, and it is still one of the first things visitors notice.

Cost: ~$25 | Time: 25 minutes

Finishing the Gallery

11. A Gallery Wall of Family Photos in Mismatched Frames

I tried a gallery wall of family photos in mismatched frames in our kids room after seeing it done cheaply at a friend’s house, and I wish I had done it a year earlier. The best part is that it uses things most of us already have at home, so the real cost stays low. First, I cleaned the area properly and let it dry, which makes everything stick and sit better. Second, I put the main piece in place and stepped back to check it from the doorway, which is where you actually see it. Third, I asked my kid what they thought and moved one thing based on their answer, which made them love it more. My first attempt went wrong because I skipped measuring, and I ended up with a piece that was two inches too wide for the spot.

Cost: ~$5 | Time: 90 minutes

12. A Chalkboard Frame for Daily Doodles

a chalkboard frame for daily doodles was the kind of project I kept putting off in our kids room, until one Saturday I finally did it in under an hour. It works for rented rooms too, because nothing here damages the walls or leaves marks behind. First, I tried the idea in the cheapest possible way, just to see if it worked before spending more. Second, I secured everything properly so it would survive being bumped, pulled, and climbed on. Third, I took a photo to compare with the before, and the difference was bigger than I expected. The mistake I made was choosing looks over sturdiness, and it wobbled until I fixed it with a couple of cheap brackets. It is simple, it works, and it makes the room feel cared for instead of thrown together.

Cost: ~$14 | Time: 50 minutes

13. Paper Bunting in Their Favorite Colors

When our kids room started feeling messy and tired, paper bunting in their favorite colors was the first thing I tried, because it was cheap and easy to undo. The best part is that it uses things most of us already have at home, so the real cost stays low. First, I cleared the spot and measured it, because guessing sizes is how I have wasted money before. Second, I added the supporting pieces around it, keeping the colors simple so nothing clashed. Third, I added a couple of small finishing touches, then lived with it for a day before deciding it was done. My mistake was buying the fancier version first; the plain one worked just as well for half the price. That small change made the whole room feel calmer, and I catch myself smiling at it most mornings.

Cost: ~$22 | Time: 30 minutes

14. A Growth Chart Sticker Shaped Like a Tree

I picked a growth chart sticker shaped like a tree because our kids room needed something practical first and pretty second, and this managed both. It works for rented rooms too, because nothing here damages the walls or leaves marks behind. First, I gathered everything I needed in one place so I was not running back and forth mid-project. Second, I adjusted the height and position twice until it felt right at my kid’s eye level, not mine. Third, I tidied the surrounding area so the new piece stood out instead of getting lost in clutter. My first attempt went wrong because I skipped measuring, and I ended up with a piece that was two inches too wide for the spot. It is not fancy, but it does the job every day, and that is what matters in a kid’s room.

Cost: ~$30 | Time: 15 minutes

15. Framed Fabric Swatches in Fun Patterns

I chose framed fabric swatches in fun patterns for our kids room because it fixed a small daily annoyance without costing much, and it looked better in real life than I expected. The best part is that it uses things most of us already have at home, so the real cost stays low. First, I cleaned the area properly and let it dry, which makes everything stick and sit better. Second, I put the main piece in place and stepped back to check it from the doorway, which is where you actually see it. Third, I asked my kid what they thought and moved one thing based on their answer, which made them love it more. The mistake I made was choosing looks over sturdiness, and it wobbled until I fixed it with a couple of cheap brackets.

Cost: ~$9 | Time: 25 minutes

Small Pieces, Big Charm

16. A Star Chart Wall for Good Habits

This one started as a quick fix in our kids room, and a star chart wall for good habits turned out to be the change my kid noticed first. It works for rented rooms too, because nothing here damages the walls or leaves marks behind. First, I tried the idea in the cheapest possible way, just to see if it worked before spending more. Second, I secured everything properly so it would survive being bumped, pulled, and climbed on. Third, I took a photo to compare with the before, and the difference was bigger than I expected. My mistake was buying the fancier version first; the plain one worked just as well for half the price. It cost very little, took one afternoon, and it is still one of the first things visitors notice.

Cost: ~$16 | Time: 90 minutes

17. Painted Wooden Letters Spelling Their Name

I tried painted wooden letters spelling their name in our kids room after seeing it done cheaply at a friend’s house, and I wish I had done it a year earlier. The best part is that it uses things most of us already have at home, so the real cost stays low. First, I cleared the spot and measured it, because guessing sizes is how I have wasted money before. Second, I added the supporting pieces around it, keeping the colors simple so nothing clashed. Third, I added a couple of small finishing touches, then lived with it for a day before deciding it was done. My first attempt went wrong because I skipped measuring, and I ended up with a piece that was two inches too wide for the spot. Now it is part of our daily routine, and I would do it exactly the same way again.

Cost: ~$35 | Time: 50 minutes

18. A Shadow Box of Small Treasures

a shadow box of small treasures was the kind of project I kept putting off in our kids room, until one Saturday I finally did it in under an hour. It works for rented rooms too, because nothing here damages the walls or leaves marks behind. First, I gathered everything I needed in one place so I was not running back and forth mid-project. Second, I adjusted the height and position twice until it felt right at my kid’s eye level, not mine. Third, I tidied the surrounding area so the new piece stood out instead of getting lost in clutter. The mistake I made was choosing looks over sturdiness, and it wobbled until I fixed it with a couple of cheap brackets. It is simple, it works, and it makes the room feel cared for instead of thrown together.

Cost: ~$11 | Time: 30 minutes

19. A Mural Made With Removable Wall Stickers

When our kids room started feeling messy and tired, a mural made with removable wall stickers was the first thing I tried, because it was cheap and easy to undo. The best part is that it uses things most of us already have at home, so the real cost stays low. First, I cleaned the area properly and let it dry, which makes everything stick and sit better. Second, I put the main piece in place and stepped back to check it from the doorway, which is where you actually see it. Third, I asked my kid what they thought and moved one thing based on their answer, which made them love it more. My mistake was buying the fancier version first; the plain one worked just as well for half the price.

Cost: ~$19 | Time: 15 minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I hang kids art without damaging the walls? A: Use washi tape, removable adhesive strips, or a string-and-peg line, all of which come off cleanly when you want a change.

Q: What is the cheapest kids wall art? A: Their own drawings in thrifted frames cost almost nothing and mean more to them than any store-bought print.

Q: How often should I change the wall art? A: Swap a few pieces each season or whenever they bring home something new they are proud of.

If you try even three of these ideas, the room will feel different by the weekend. Save this idea to your Pinterest board so you can find it when you are ready to start, and come back and tell me which one your kid loved most.