DIY Unicorn Picture Frame: Create a Magical Masterpiece

I still remember the afternoon I painted my first $1 wood frame and felt a little spark of joy. Holding a brush, I blended yellow at the center into green and then blue on one side, flipped the piece, and layered yellow into pink and purple on the back. That ombré finish felt like a small celebration for a room that needed color.

While the paint dried, I glittered a clothespin and sketched a sweet face on cardstock. I cut foam ears, glued a gold foam horn, and added paper flowers for depth. A light sanding after the last coat gave soft edges and a pro look.

This short post walks you through easy steps I used—budget supplies, two design routes (hand-drawn or crisp vinyl with a Cricut), and tips for parties or single creations. It’s a simple, fun craft that turns basic wood into display-worthy art in an afternoon.

Why I’m obsessed with this unicorn craft and how it fits your space

I fell hard for this project because it turns simple supplies into a joyful keepsake. It works as quick art for a kid’s room, a shelf accent in a family area, or a charming gift for a birthday party.

The small footprint keeps the room feeling tidy while adding a bright pop of color. If you don’t have a photo ready, I slip in instant-download prints so the frame looks finished the same day. Later, you can swap in a favorite picture without fuss.

At parties, the project doubles as a favor. Kids love making foam horns and paper flowers, and parents leave with a polished keepsake. The design balances playful rainbows with clean lines so it fits both playful and more styled decor.

• I love how the frame makes everyday photos feel like art.
• It’s affordable and easy, so kids help without ruining the result.
• Mix-and-match pieces—horns, flowers, vinyl—keep each piece unique.
• Perfect for birthdays, quick gifts, or a themed wall with matching prints.

What I use and prep before I start

Before I touch paint, I always set out every supply so the project moves smoothly. A quick layout saves time and keeps kids engaged. I lay a protected work mat and mark a drying zone so pieces don’t get smudged.

Budget-friendly supplies checklist

Here’s my go-to list for a simple unicorn craft that won’t break the bank. I keep core items on hand for last-minute projects and parties.

• Wood frames from Dollar Tree or Michael’s; check standard picture frames sizes and opening size.
• Clothespin for a photo clip, acrylic paint (FolkArt Coastal Texture or standard acrylics), and foam for horn and ears.
• Hot glue, glitter glue, cardstock and markers, and paper flowers for dimension.

Tools and optional add-ons for extra sparkle

Optional tools speed things up and give a polished look. For group work, pre-cut pieces and labeled stacks save a lot of time.

• Cricut Maker/Explore, vinyl, transfer tape, and a regular grip cutting mat for crisp decals.
• Foam brushes, sharp scissors, and sandpaper to smooth edges after paint dries.

I pre-sort small materials into bowls so a kid can pick by size and color. I also pre-cut foam pieces when I expect a group. Finally, I keep paint coats thin to speed drying and check that each piece fits the intended size before assembly.

How to make a diy unicorn picture frame

I begin by laying down a wet, sunny yellow at the center and working outward for smooth blends. This first step sets the ombré tone and helps the rest go quickly.

Paint the rainbow base with a smooth ombré blend

Paint yellow across the center, then blend into green and blue while the paint stays wet so transitions stay soft. Flip the piece and brush yellow into pink then purple downward so colors meet in the middle.

Create a glittery horn and ears from foam

Cut a gold foam horn and cut two white ear shapes, then cut two smaller pink inner ears to glue on top. For extra sparkle, cut two rounded triangle ears from glitter foam and hot-glue them to the back so they peek above the front.

Add a sweet unicorn face with cardstock and markers

Trim cardstock to the opening size and sketch closed eyes and a tiny nose. Trace with glitter markers so the face reads from a distance and insert the paper if you’re not using a photo.

Dress it up with paper flowers and a touch of glitter

Lay out paper flowers before you glue so spacing looks balanced and no area feels crowded. Glue clusters near the horn base or one corner and add a light dusting of glitter to tie the pieces together.

Attach a clothespin photo clip or insert a print

Paint and glitter a clothespin while the base dries, then hot-glue it as a low-profile clip. Or trim a print to size and slide it into the opening for an instant display.

Final assembly, quick-dry tips, and clean edges

Use thin coats to cut drying time and keep a dedicated drying area. Once dry, sand the edges lightly for a smooth finish and pre-weed vinyl decals if you plan to add crisp text later.

• Step 1: Wet blends for clean ombré.
• Step 2: Layer foam horn and ears for dimension.
• Step 3: Balance flowers, add clip, and finish edges.

Fun variations, vinyl designs, and party-perfect ideas

At parties I favor a vinyl-first approach so every child leaves with a neat, custom keepsake. I use a Cricut Maker or Explore to cut names, tiny icons, and star accents.

The Cricut route for crisp decals and custom text

I pre-cut vinyl and pre-weed names, then use transfer tape for one-pass placement. That saves time and gives every decal perfect alignment.

Birthday party craft station setup and take-home favor plan

For a smooth activity, I label vinyl packs by kid name and tray small supplies—foam horns, flowers, and a painted clothespin clip.

I run a quick photo shoot with the birthday child and each friend, print trims during dinner, and tuck images into the heart-cutout frames before the night ends.

Smart budget and time savers from the dollar aisle

I batch-cut foam horns and make two sizes for younger kids. Thin paint coats and a drying zone keep the project moving.

• Pre-cut vinyl, transfer tape, and extra power cords
• Batch foam pieces, labeled trays, and wipes for sticky hands
• Backup instant prints so every frame looks finished

Bring the magic home and share your finished frame

Once the paint is cured and glitter has settled, I photograph the finished unicorn picture and tuck a printed photo inside the opening the same day. Thin coats sped drying, and a light sanding left soft edges that feel smooth to the touch.

I style the finished frame on a shelf or desk so the colors brighten the room. After a birthday or party, I spend a few minutes printing favorite shots and slipping one into the display to keep the memory front and center.

I press down any loose foam, tidy stray glitter, and jot notes for tweaks—different flowers or a new paper accent—so the next unicorn craft gets even better. When I share images online, I add a short “how I made it” caption so friends and other kids can try the idea too.