Summer Post Card Craft and Card Exchange: A Fun and Creative Way to Celebrate the Season
Summer is the perfect time for kids to unleash their creativity and connect with friends through the mail. One way to do this is to create personalized summer postcards and participating in a card exchange. This activity not only encourages artistic expression but also helps kids develop their communication skills and build lasting memories. Let’s explore how kids can make their own summer postcards and enjoy a card exchange with their friends and family.
- Make a card station or kit: Use a show box or similar and keep all their supplies together so they can revisit this often throughout the summer.
- Keep it Stress Free: Encourage participation but don’t force it. It’s okay to send and not receive.
- Parental Involvement: Minimum. All ages: you will need to help with address’ postage and maybe putting the cards in the mail. Younger kids: May need help with the single sided lamination. Kids ages 2nd grade through 5/6th grades shouldn’t need much help, but I do suggest keeping it simple and let the kids take the lead.
Why Post Card Crafting for Kids
Crafting postcards is a fantastic activity for kids for several reasons:
- Creative Outlet: Kids can express their summer adventures and imagination through art.
- Social Connection: Exchanging postcards helps kids stay connected with friends and family.
- Skill Development: Crafting improves fine motor skills, and writing messages enhances literacy.
Materials Needed
Creating summer postcards is easy and fun. Here’s a list of materials suitable for kids:
- Blank postcards or sturdy cardstock -optional PDF to print (available in the Resource Library, signup for my newsletter for access.)
- Crayons, markers, and colored pencils
- Stickers, stamps, and fun embellishments
- Kid-safe glue and scissors
- Glitter pens and washi tape
- Single sided lamination to protect the art and add some thickness to the postcard. (this will help it go through the mail without getting mangled)
* Pro Tip: Keep it flat, no buttons, ribbons, or anything that will create a raised area. As cute as these embellishments are they should go into an envelope and not be part of a postcard.
Here is a video about how packages get sorted. For the curious… (note I did not make this video and always suggest previewing videos before showing them to children.)
Steps to Create Summer Postcards
- Prepare Your Supplies: Gather all the materials needed for the craft.
- Design Your Postcard: Encourage kids to think about their favorite summer activities or places. They can sketch their ideas on scratch paper first.
- Decorate the Postcard: Kids can use crayons, markers, and colored pencils to create colorful backgrounds. Add stickers, stamps, and other embellishments for a personal touch.
- Write a Message: On the back of the postcard, kids can write a short, friendly message. Help younger children with writing if needed.
- Add Final Touches: Let kids add any final decorations, like glitter or washi tape. Ensure everything is securely attached and allow any glue to dry completely.
- Seal the Decorated Side: Using single sided lamination sheets seal and trim the decorated side only. You want to leave the address side unlaminated so it can get processed through the mail sorting system.
Organizing a Summer Post Card Exchange for Your Kids
To make the postcard crafting even more fun, organize a card exchange. Here’s how:
- Invite Participants: Ask friends, family, to join the card exchange. Use email or social media to reach out to other parents or adult family members.
- Set Simple Guidelines: Establish easy-to-follow rules, such as deadlines for sending postcards and any fun themes like “Beach Day” or “Summer Adventures.”
- Exchange Addresses: Collect addresses from participants. Make sure parents are involved in the process for privacy and safety.
- Send the Postcards: Encourage kids to mail their postcards by a specific date. Make a fun event out of it, perhaps with a trip to the mailbox or post office.
- Receive and Share: Once the postcards arrive, kids can share their excitement by showing their received postcards to family members or friends. You can also organize a virtual show-and-tell session.
Tips for a Successful Kids’ Card Exchange
- Talk to the other parents and or recipients. Make sure they are aware and onboard with the exchange and expectations.
- Gather address’s all in one spot.
- Make a backup plan if the other kids don’t respond. (Think grandparents, or friends from distant places). Postcards from anyone is exciting. Even mailing a postcard yourself, you’ll be rewarded by the smile on your child’s face.
Fun Themes and Ideas for Kids
- Under the Sea: Draw and decorate postcards with sea creatures and underwater scenes.
- Sunny Days: Create postcards with bright suns, beaches, and outdoor fun.
- Camping Adventures: Illustrate campfires, tents, and forest animals.
- Ice Cream Fun: Design postcards with ice cream cones, popsicles, and sweet treats.
Crafting and exchanging summer postcards is a delightful way for kids to stay creative and connected during the summer break. It’s an activity that combines art, writing, and social interactive experiences for children. So, gather your crafting supplies, invite friends to join, and let the summer postcard fun begin! Happy crafting and happy summer!
