Paints that glow in the dark can be added to wooden crutches in a decorative pattern. Glow-in-the-dark paints are available from many craft stores. Use bright colors, such as yellow and red, to create a bright and cheery effect. Prior to painting, lightly sand the wood to break down its finish. Paint alternating stripes along the sides and top area of the crutches. Let the paint dry and then add a layer of protective varnish once finished. The paint not only adds sparkle to the crutches, but it makes them easier to see in the dark.
Use your crutches as a traveling reminder of where you have been or where you wish to return to. Page through various photo albums and select your favorite pictures of places you've been in previous years. Make copies of the pictures. Cut individual items from each picture, including trees, faces, castles and specific buildings. Use shellac to secure the pictures to the sides of each crutch. A photo collage can cheer you up and remind you that your use of the crutches will hopefully be temporary.
Stickers are an inexpensive way to add color and pictures to any surface. Take a child to a craft or school store to find her favorite kinds of stickers. If desired, select stickers that follow a theme, such as a child's favorite cartoon character or a beloved family pet. Look for stickers in small and large sizes. Allow the child to place stickers all over the crutches. Leave one space bare on each crutch to ensure that the child can continue to grasp the crutches effectively.
Bring the ocean to your fingers by decorating your crutches with reminders of the beach. Glue a row of small, shellacked shells to one side of the crutches. Cut a spare beach towel into strips. Braid the strips together and glue them around the bottom of the crutches. Alternatively, buy a pair of child's flip-flops and glue the backs of the shoes to the outside of the lower leg of each crutch. To avoid injury, the flip-flops should be firmly secured to each pole to ensure that they do not slide down when the crutch is in use.