You know how important a security item can be to a child. Security items help your child in a variety of ways. They help them feel safe and gain independence. They give them comfort. Many children will develop an attachment to a security item between the ages of 18 and 24 months. Blankets are one of the most common security items kids gain attachments to.
This is all well and good when they are little. When your child wants to take a large security blanket to Kindergarten with him, it might be time to let go. At very least, your child needs to learn that some comfort items are for at home only. Some parents help their children transition by cutting off a small piece of their security blanket that the child can take to school in a pocket or a backpack.
Related: Security Items and Kids – What Does it all Mean
If this doesn’t work for your needs, or if your child is upset by the idea of cutting their favorite blankie, you might just work on replacing it with something else. Eventually, all children will outgrow their attachment to security blanket and there’s really no reason you need to do anything or try to take it away from them early if it brings them comfort.
Once they do decide to let it go on their own, you’ll see the signs. No longer will he drag it everywhere with him (even though the dirt – eww!). No longer will she cry for it every night or be unable to sleep without it.
As your child outgrows the security blanket on his or her own, you’ll see it fall by the wayside. Many parents are reluctant to get rid of something that meant so much to their child for so long. So, what can you do with it? Instead of just tossing it in the trash, here are some ideas.
What you can do with your child’s security blanket when they outgrow it
- Frame it – You could cut out a special part of it, or just a piece that shows the pattern, and frame it. Use it as a wall hanging and give it to your child
if they want it when they’re older. - Make a quilt – You could use pieces of the security blanket and other items (like
favorite clothes) to make a quilt. - Turn it into a pillow – You can cut it down to size and make it into a pillow for their bed or a throw pillow for decoration.
- Make a stuffed animal – If you’re creative and handy, you might use it to make a cute stuffed animal. There are simple tutorials for this online and it would be a special keepsake for your child.
- Make a personalized photo album – Another idea is to cover a regular photo album with pieces of the blanket and then put baby or childhood photos inside. This makes a wonderful keepsake for parents, or to give to your child when she’s older.
- Pack in a memory box – You could just keep it intact and place it inside a memory box. Your child may not care about it anymore now but will love to have it to look back on later, or even to give to their own children.
Related: What My Mom NEVER Told Me About Having Kids
So, all that’s left is to put it into action. I hope some of these ideas work for you, or that they help spring forth other ideas that you like. This is really a great way to preserve memories that your child will want to look back on years later. It’s a great way for you to have a special piece of something that was so important to your child.
Jeanette says
My son’s security blanket I will always keep. He can give it to his child when he’s old enough to have kids but at this point I have it stored away because I am extremely sentimental.
Joely Smith says
What great ideas on what to do with a child’s security blanket when it’s time to let go of it or they outgrow it! I love the idea of making a pillow! It’s a more mature version of the blanket!
Stacie says
We have all three of our kids’ security blankets sewn into a quilt. It has pride of place in our home. We keep that thing super safe at all times.
Bill Sweeney says
Making a pillow out of our kids’ blankets is a great idea! They can still have it while they sleep.
Danielle says
We have our blankets folded away safely in the closet, but I think it would be nice to do something creative with them.
Claudia Krusch says
I still have my Sons security blanket. I love the idea to make it into a pillow. A teddy bear is a cute idea as well.
lisa says
What great ideas! Something so sentimental needs to be made into something you can keep forever.
sara lafountain says
This is so funny, we were just talking about this the other day. I have five kids and not one of them ever had a keepsake item!
Michelle Cantu says
I love the idea of making a stuffed animal. I have two of my boys blankets and refuse to let them go even though they are worn out. A stuffed animal would be a great way to save them.
Ricci says
I don’t have kids but I think these are all great ideas of what to do with your child’s security blanket. I still have a piece of mine from when I was a child!
Melissa Dixon says
I love the idea of doing something with everything from when my daughter was little. I am all about saving everything that I can!
Gingermommy says
I love the idea of doing things like this! I am going to have to try this with some of the kids stuff I have put away in totes.
Ruth I. says
These are great ideas! I have a niece and she doesn’t have a security blanket. I would love to do one of these in the future when I have a kid.
Kathy says
I love all of these ideas. I think any of these would be great too. My kids are still using their blankets they grew up with.
Up Run for Life Healthy Lifestyle Blog says
My kids were never really attached to a blanket growing up. I can’t remember what my older two kids were attached too. My youngest is attached to Tigger.
Victoria Heckstall says
I am loving your ideas. I’m gonna check this out. I really like the idea of making a stuffed animal. Looks like a great and awesome idea.
Sara Welch says
These are all wonderful ideas. A security item can be a touchy thing with a child.
Adaleta says
I think a memory box is the best idea, it is amazing to look back and have those memories come flooding back.
Angela Ricardo Bethea says
Those are some great ideas, will keep this in mind. I like the making it into a pillow or stuffed animal idea.
Lynndee says
I love all your ideas. But I love the idea of framing it so then we can see it all the time and remember all the sweet memories behind it.
Lynsey says
I love these ideas! My son has a blankie that he is slowly growing out of and I think I’m more attached to it than him!
The Cubicle Chick says
I love the idea of making a quilt or putting it in a memory box. Thanks for the ideas.