Capture memories with this DIY newborn shadow box

They grow up so fast. So why not capture all those adorable memories of your new little one with a do-it-yourself newborn shadow box. You display it in your home and then give it to your child when he or she moves out. It will be a treasure in your family for years to come. Here’s how to do it.

I got the idea for this ridiculously cute shadow box after my fifth and last child. I realized that I hadn’t done anything special for any of my previous kids. So, I didn’t want to miss out on this opportunity. It’s so simple and beautiful memories can be encased in such a small space. Here’s how you can do it too.

Buy your newborn shadow box supplies

This DIY project won’t work without a shadow box. Here’s a few options depending on what kind of look you’re trying to achieve:

I like the shadow boxes that open and close magnetically and allow for easy access to the objects inside. You’ll also want to buy some cute push pins to hold the items in place. Here are a few ideas:

Gather your newborn memorabilia

Newborns are so freaking cute. But they don’t stay that little for very long. You’ll want to gather all the items that you can that remind you of this precious time. Here’s some ideas:

Small picture of your newborn
Small picture of your newborn with the people he or she was named after
First onesie that your baby wore
Item related to her gender reveal
First pair of knitted shoes or stockings
A bottle or binkie that she used
Ultrasound picture
Letters of her name
Date of birth and weight cut out from paper
Family picture
Clay casting of her hand or foot
Tiny bow that she used

Put it all together

This was the fun part. After I had everything I needed, I assembled all of the items together where I wanted them in the newborn shadow box. Make sure you arrange them so you can see each item. It’s your project so lay it all out however you want.

Hang your shadow box in your baby’s room or anywhere in your house. You could do one for every child that you have and display them together on the wall. Your options are limitless and you will love the way it turns out.