Have you ever noticed how much kids light up when they see themselves in photos? Their proud little smiles, the way they point and say, “That’s me!” It’s heartwarming – and honestly, it’s a reminder of how powerful photos can be in helping children feel seen, valued, and connected.
As a documentary family photographer here in London, one of the most beautiful things I’ve witnessed is how kids respond to photographs when they’re a part of the story. That’s why today, I want to share something that blends family photos with creativity, connection, and some crafty fun. I will share 11 family photo play ideas that your children will genuinely love doing, whether on their own or with you.
Please also remember that this isn’t about perfect projects or Pinterest-worthy results. It’s about joy, play, and making your family photos part of your everyday life in fun, tangible ways.
Why Photo Crafts?
Family photos don’t have to live only on the wall or in albums, or stay tucked away on a computer or a phone. These photo craft ideas are perfect for long afternoons at home, rainy days, or those never-ending half terms. Family photos can become part of how you pass the time together.
Having photos around reminds children that they’re loved, that they belong, and that their family story matters. And when they can turn those photos into something they’ve made themselves – like a handmade bookmark or a personalised game – that deepens the connection even more. It boosts creativity, builds confidence, and creates meaningful keepsakes along the way. And honestly? Watching them giggle at their own baby photo on a homemade Guess Who card is such a joy.
Let’s dive into a few easy, family-photo-inspired craft ideas that are perfect for time at home.
Family Photo Crafts Kids Will Love
Here are creative, doable photo crafts that invite your kids to play, imagine, and relive beautiful moments together.
A colouring page created from an old photo of me when my son was a baby. My brother took this, and it’s one of my favourites.
1. Turn a Family Photo Into a Colouring Page
There’s something magical about seeing yourself as a colouring page character! Using simple photo-to-sketch software like Colorscape, you can turn a favourite family portrait into a black-and-white outline. Print it out and let your child colour in everyone – even add funky glasses or superhero capes!
2. Make a DIY “Guess Who?” Game
This one is a huge hit. Create custom Guess Who cards using cropped headshots of family members. Laminate them or print them on thick card, and write their names underneath. You can add cousins, uncles/aunts, grandparents, even pets or include silly faces or dress-up versions. If you like this idea but don’t want to make one yourself, you can easily create personalised Guess Who? cards for free on this website, or buy a personalised Guess Who? game here on Etsy.
3. Photo Memory Game or Personalised Jigsaw Puzzle
Print two copies of each photo, stick on card and cut them to the size you like for a memory match game, or turn a favourite image into a jigsaw puzzle by sticking it on cardboard and cutting it into pieces. You can use moments from vacations or everyday snippets at home. You can also include very old family photographs from great-grandparents or other wider family members. If you like this idea, but don’t want to create it yourselves, then you can buy a personalised memory game or a jigsaw puzzle. The photo above shows the memory game my aunt made for my mom. I love seeing these old family photos, too!
4. Paint a Stone & Make a Wire Photo Holder
Let kids paint stones, then wrap wire around them to create whimsical photo holders. They can display their favourite picture proudly on a bedside table or shelf. This activity combines sensory play with sentimental value and is a very easy way to rotate seasonal family images. To make this, you need paint, brushes, stones, small gauge wire, needle-nose pliers and cutter pliers. We used this tutorial to make our own.
5. Create a Time Capsule with Family Photos
I absolutely love this one. Choose a few images, let your child write a message on the back, and place them in a sealed envelope or jar with small keepsakes from the year. This craft is also part of my free downloadable photography workbook for kids, with step-by-step instructions to make this extra easy. The download also includes a page for kids to answer questions about themselves, which will be so fun to look back on later. Then store it in a dry, safe place and bring it out months or years later for a magical look-back.
6. DIY Photo Frame Decorating
Print a recent photo of your child or the whole family, then grab crafts supplies – buttons, glitter, stickers – and decorate a frame they painted themselves. Whether it’s a wooden frame or cardboard cut-out, it becomes their artwork. As a fun extra, you can add a note on the back with the date and some fun facts about themselves, like their favourite food, TV show, most loved memory, their best friend, etc.
7. Personalised Laminated Photo Bookmarks
Simply cut narrow strips of colourful card. Print different photos and have your child cut them and stick them on the colourful card to make a photo collage. Once finished, you can easily laminate it with these sheets. As an extra, you could punch a hole and add ribbon, beads or feathers. This also makes for a great handmade gift for a friend, parent or grandparent. You can also make a more stylised version digitally with a template from Canva, like this one. Another fun photo bookmark to make is this one, where you use a large paperclip with a photo button attached.
8. Fun With Faces: Draw, Decorate & Giggle
This one couldn’t be easier, and it guarantees laughs.
Print a large photo of your child’s face (or each family member’s face), laminate it, and grab some whiteboard pens. Then let your kids go wild with their decorations.
They can add:
- Big curly moustaches
- Glasses or braces
- Flower crowns or wild hairstyles
- Superhero masks, freckles, silly expressions or anything they like!
Because the photo is laminated, everything wipes off easily, which means they can keep changing it again and again without worrying about “ruining” anything.
9. Christmas Crafts with Photos (Holiday Joy Alert!)
From baubles filled with tiny photo scrolls to advent calendars with daily family images, there’s so much festive fun to be had. Last Christmas, the childminder created these personalised ornaments (from my youngest) that will return each year. The first is a printed photo that was laminated; she punched holes, added a ribbon, and my daughter could decorate it with some stickers, too. The other one is a reindeer made with a card photo frame. My daughter put her handprints on card, cut them out and stuck them to the top of the frame as antlers. She then added a red fluffy ball as a nose and big googly eyes. There are lots of other tree decorations online that kids can make with family photos, like these I found online.
10. Create a Family Photo Album or Scrapbook Together
There’s something incredibly grounding about slowing down and putting photos into a book together.
Instead of handing your child a finished album, invite them into the process. Let them choose the photos. Ask which ones feel important. Give them glue sticks, pens, stickers, and permission to make it theirs.
This doesn’t have to be neat or chronological. It can be:
- “Funny moments with Mum”
- “Things we love doing as a family”
- “Our year together”
- Or even one page per person, filled with favourite memories
As you work side by side, conversations naturally unfold. Kids talk. They remember. They ask questions. And without realising it, they’re building a visual understanding of their family story, one they helped create.
11. Look Through Their Baby Photos and Tell the Stories
This one might be the simplest but perhaps also the most powerful.
Pull out their (baby) album (or scroll through phone photos together) and sit down somewhere cosy. As you turn each page, tell the stories behind the images.
“This is when you learned to walk.”
“You were so brave that day.”
“You had the cheekiest grin — just like now.”
“We laughed so much during this game.”
Let them ask questions. Let them laugh at hairstyles and outfits. Let them hear how deeply loved they were — and still are.
For younger children, especially, these stories help them understand who they are and where they come from. It helps them build confidence and identity. For older kids, it strengthens emotional connection and can also be a big reassurance during times of change.
Why This Matters (and Why It Sticks)
It’s easy to scroll through photos without really seeing them. But when we print them, use them, and make them part of home life, they become daily reminders of who we are.
For your kids, these crafts aren’t only fun – they reinforce their identity. They see themselves in the story and feel confident in their place within the family. That’s powerful.
And from one parent to another: you don’t need to wait for a “perfect” photo or orchestrated moment to get started. The magic is in the normal, playful, messy realities we already live each day.
And yes – I can help you capture those.
Want More Photography-Related Activities for Kids?
If your child enjoys seeing the world through their own lens, don’t miss my free Kids’ Photography Workbook. It’s packed with simple prompts and activities that invite kids to tell their own stories through pictures.
I’m also here as your family photographer in Bromley, Beckenham, and across London, capturing the candid, emotional, real-life moments that tell your story. Whether you’re crafting at home, taking photos together in the park, or snuggling on the sofa, these memories deserve to be preserved – and celebrated.
So go ahead, print those photos. And then? Play with them.
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