When I was planning my son’s birthday party, I started thinking about how I wanted to display his monthly milestone photos. I knew I didn’t want to do a simple banner, so I decided to create individual picture frames for each month instead.
To tie everything into our theme (we went with a circus theme, check out another party DIY here) and color palette, I came up with the easiest DIY—and honestly, one of my favorite projects from the party.
As I was making these, I realized how versatile this idea really is. It works beautifully for parties, but it can also double as everyday room decor for kids. And if you’re anything like me (and so many others who love a thoughtfully designed space), traditional kids decor can feel a little… a lot. The bright primary colors and overly themed pieces can be overwhelming.
This is such a great solution for that.
You can still embrace your child’s favorite themes—Barbie, Paw Patrol, trucks, you name it—without letting it take over the entire room. It gives you a way to incorporate the theme in a more elevated, intentional way, while still choosing colors, textures, and finishes you actually love. So you can design the room you want, while still making it feel special for them.
Step 1: Grab Your Frames (A Mirror Would Work Too)
For this project, I used 6×6 frames. I found multipacks on Amazon, which worked perfectly since I needed 13 for each month.
If you’re creating these for a bedroom instead of a party, you can absolutely mix sizes or go larger. Just make sure your frame has a thick enough edge to attach your items—this will depend on what you’re using and how dimensional your design is.
Step 2: Glue on Your Items
Using a hot glue gun, start attaching your items to the frame.
Since I was working with animals for my theme, I alternated different types so I didn’t end up with duplicates next to each other. I also mixed positioning—some standing, some laying on their sides—which added so much dimension and made each frame feel more dynamic.
Step 3: Spray Paint
Next, spray paint your frames in colors that match your theme.
I’ll be honest—I loved how they looked before painting and was slightly nervous I’d ruin them. But once everything was coated, I was obsessed with the final result.
You’ll likely need a few coats, and definitely allow for dry time in between. Be sure to spray from multiple angles to get into all the little nooks and details (there are a lot!).
Step 4: Fill Your Frames
I used Canva to create custom 6×6 inserts with photos of my son from each month of his first year.
You could also use printable artwork (Etsy has so many good options), themed graphics, or even just favorite photos for a more everyday look in a bedroom. This is where you can really make it your own.
This project is one of those rare DIYs that feels both fun and practical—and it’s such a good way to bring in personality without sacrificing your overall design style.
