For kids, one of the best parts of a vacation is picking up little knick-knacks along the way. But once you're back home, what are you supposed to do with a pocket full of seashells and a bunch of not-so-cheap souvenir key rings?

These crafts will help parents and kids find fun ways to display vacation collections, whether you've been to the beach, out of the country or camping in the woods. These ideas work best with elementary-school-age children, though younger children could do them with hands-on adult help.

Rubber-band bulletin board

Corkboard (1- to 2-feet)

Map, wrapping paper or paint

Tape

Extra-large colored rubber bands

Photographs and memorabilia

1. Wrap the corkboard with a map from your trip or with plain wrapping paper. Alternatively, paint the corkboard with bright paint and let dry.

2. Stretch the colored rubber bands (found at office-supply stores) over the cork board. Alternate between length and width so the bands go over and under each other at intervals.

3. Insert pictures, ticket stubs, brochures, postcards, etc. between the bands. This allows you to display photographs without poking them with holes; it's also easy to rearrange as desired.

Note: Substituting cardboard for the corkboard won't work; the rubber bands are so strong they bend the less sturdy cardboard.

From Good Things for Kids: Winter 2006 edition "60 Fun After-School Crafts"

Memorabilia jar

Large, clear glass wide-mouth jar, vase or fish bowl

Pictures, souvenirs, ticket stubs

Glue (optional)

1. This is a great way to collect all the small items kids love to gather in one decorative jar. Use a vertical photograph or brochure as a backdrop for small toys, ticket stubs, etc. To raise the display, fill the bottom with marbles. For a beach vacation, try sand as a base; for a nature outing, add rocks and pinecones.

2. If your jar has a lid, consider gluing a decoration, such as a shell or additional knick-knack, on top of the lid.

From Good Things for Kids: Winter 2006 edition "60 Fun After-School Crafts"

Souvenir bracelet

Roll of self-adhesive book protector

Scissors

Hole punch

Flat souvenirs, such as coins, sand, shells, leaves, flowers, seeds, feathers

Yarn or string

1. Cut a 5-inch-wide strip of the book protector. Cut lengthwise so it will fit around your wrist.

2. Using the tip of an open pair of scissors, gently etch two lines, each at 1.5 inches in from either side of the strip. This should leave a 2-inch wide strip in the middle. (This may require adult help.)

3. Carefully pull up the back of the 2-inch strip, exposing the sticky center. Leave the side strips covered.

4. Place items face down on the sticky strip, leaving about half an inch on either end.

5. Pull back one of the remaining strips and fold it over the design, then repeat with the other side so the bracelet is covered.

6. With a hole punch (or pen), make a hole about a quarter inch from either end. Tie a 5-inch piece of string or yarn through each hole. Tie bracelet around wrist.

Note: This bracelet can also be made with wide masking tape or colored electrical tape covered with plastic wrap.

Beach souvenir shirt

Plain T-shirt

New sponge

Fabric paint

Shell(s) — flat types work best

Small paintbrush

1. Spread newspapers or an old sheet on a table under your work area. Lay the T-shirt out flat. Decide on the design or pattern you want to make with your shells. (See note below.)

2. Place the sponge inside the T-shirt under the spot you want to print.

3. Paint the outside of the shell with fabric paint. Place the shell on the shirt, gently pushing into the sponge. It might require some side-to-side rocking to make sure the whole shell is printed.

4. Repeat with different colors or different shells as desired, moving the sponge each time. If you want, paint the year and location on the shirt. Let paint dry.

Note: If you're experimenting with several types of shells, try a few prints on an old cloth to see which work best.

From /">Familycrafts.about.com.

Summer mobile

Two 12-inch dowel rods

String

Low-heat hot glue gun

Shells, rocks, driftwood

Beach pictures, postcards or other memorabilia

Glue stick

1. Hold dowels in an X-shape and wrap string around the inside numerous times to hold the shape. (A second pair of hands is helpful while doing this.) Tie string off in a knot. With a foot-long piece of string, tie a knot around the inside X so there are two equal pieces of string at the top; use this to hang the mobile when finished.

2. Cut different lengths of string. Apply the glue stick to one side of a picture or postcard. Lay a piece of string on the glue, and attach a second postcard or picture facing out so the string is sandwiched between them. Let dry.

3. Use the hot-glue gun to attach one piece of string to individual shells, rocks, or other memorabilia, as desired. Try to use items about the same weight, or the mobile won't balance. Let the glue cool and harden.

4. Tie the strings with shells, pictures, etc., to each of the four corners, then use remaining items in between, paying attention to weight balance. Hold the mobile up so you can test the weight; move items as necessary. Hang the finished mobile.

Adapted from familycrafts.about.com.

Summer memory box

Empty large cereal box

Ruler

Scissors

Glue stick

White glue

Tape

Paintbrush

Wrapping paper

Photographs

Memorabilia

Decorations

Low-heat hot glue gun

1. Using a ruler, mark lines 1.5 to 2 inches in from the edge of the box, all the way around. This should make a smaller rectangle. Carefully cut out the rectangle, leaving the sides and back of the box intact. Remove the rectangle piece; the remaining box edges become the frame.

2. Trim a piece of construction or cardstock paper to fit the inside back of the box. Use the glue stick or tape to attach a photo or photo collage onto the paper. Add memorabilia, such as ticket stubs or brochure clippings, as desired. Since the frame is deep, feel free to use three-dimensional memorabilia, such as a key chain, decorative rocks, etc. (Use a hot-glue gun for heavy items.)

3. After the collage dries, attach the whole paper, facing out, to the inside back of the box. The picture should show through the frame.

4. Close the box top and tape it shut.

5. Wrap the box as you would a present, covering all exposed areas but leaving the rectangle hole open. Use plain wrapping paper, the blank side of a brown paper bag, pieces of construction paper, patterned contact paper or an old map.

6. Put a piece of paper or newspaper over the photo collage inside the box to protect it while decorating the face of the box.

7. Decorate the frame using your collage theme as inspiration. Some ideas: If your photos are from a camping trip, use a paintbrush to cover the frame with white glue and sprinkle with pine needles. Let dry. Then with a hot-glue gun, attach pinecones, rocks, twigs, leaves or other natural objects.

For seaside mementos, spread sand on the glued frame then attach small pieces of driftwood and seashells.

With more general vacation photos, make a collage of additional memorabilia, such as pictures from promotional brochures or ticket stubs. Let dry.

From www.parenthood.com.

Stephanie Dunnewind: sdunnewind@seattletimes.com or 206-464-2091