Retouch a photo

What can we use if we don't have the exact photo-editing app, colored pencils, or a spare printed copy?

Use a free app like Snapseed or the device's built-in Photos app to open, crop, adjust brightness, and heal spots, make a photocopy of the printed photo to keep the original safe, and substitute fine-tip water-based markers or crayons if you don't have colored pencils.

My edits look unnatural or the spot-removal made smudges—what should we do?

Undo the change, work on a copy or new layer, zoom in and use a smaller spot-removal/healing brush, and adjust brightness in tiny steps until the picture looks clear and natural as the instructions suggest.

How can we adapt the activity for younger children or older kids who want more challenge?

For younger children, stick to safe steps like making a copy, gently wiping dust with a soft cloth, cropping, and using auto-brightness with adult help, while older kids can follow all digital steps including creating a new layer, painting color highlights with a soft brush, and writing a thoughtful note about what they changed and why.

What are simple ways to enhance or personalize the retouched photo before sharing on DIY.org?

Try changing the new layer's opacity and brush size for subtle color highlights, add a handwritten border or caption on the printed copy, save a before-and-after collage as a new copy, and include your short note explaining the changes.