Writing letters is a bit of a lost art. With phones and computers there is rarely a true need to write a letter. While normally not needed, an actual letter can mean a whole lot to a person. A text can be saved, but not in the same way as a letter. Receiving an email can be exciting, but not in the same way as getting something besides junk mail in your mail box. I would highly encourage you to teach your kid how to write letters. You can do so and save on stamps by using this fun portable mailbox. Keep reading for some great ideas on when to use it and instructions on how to make your own.
How to Use a Portable Mailbox:
- Write letters, notes, postcards, etc. every so often – if your child can’t write yet, write for them
- Place the notes in the portable mailbox
- Don’t take any back out until you have finished filling it
- Open it up- you will probably need to cut it open
Why to Make a Portable Mailbox:
1. As a Gift
Children’s notes are the best. Kids have basically no filters, so what they end up writing is normally very touching and often hilarious. Giving someone a small child’s letters is such a great gift. Think of how touching it would be to give a mailbox full of letters to a child’s parent, grandparent, or teacher.
2. To Keep in Touch
There are times in life that correspondence isn’t as easy as sending a text or giving a call. Maybe your husband is deployed and won’t be home for a few months. Since kids grow up so fast, having a collection of letters is a great way to capture their growth.
3. As a Support System
Writing notes is a gift to the writer as much as it is the recipient. If your kid is going to summer camp for the first time, pack them a portable mailbox. Being able to write you every day will help them deal with homesickness. Plus, it will be so much fun to read all the notes once they get home.
4. For a Keepsake
A collection of letters, notes, or postcards can make a fun keepsake. Next time you go on a road trip, collect postcards. Have your child write a note on each one before placing it in the mailbox. Once you get home, you will have a readymade scrapbook of your trip from your kid’s point of view.
5. As a Time Capsule
Time capsules are such a neat concept. You can use these mailboxes to have your kid write themselves advice every year until a certain milestone. Fun milestones to have them write about would be graduation, marriage, or parenting. I’m sure they will get a good laugh from their 6 year old self’s advice on marriage and might learn something from their 16 year old self.
How to Make a Portable Mailbox:
Supplies:
- Two pieces of cardstock
- Laminator
- X-ACTO knife
Creating:
This is super easy to make. Start by taking one of your pieces of cardstock and cut a slit in it. It needs to be big enough to fit your letters or postcards in.
Then decorate it however you want. How you decorate it will probably depend on what you plan to use it for. All I did was write “MAIL” in block letters on mine. You could also let your child decorate it.
Next, place the two pieces of cardstock together and laminate them. Now all you have to do is use your X-ACTO knife to cut the lamination off the slit you cut. That’s it, you are done.
I hope you enjoy making this ridiculously easy portable mailbox. For more easy lamination crafts check out these laminated paper dolls and wipe lid family pictures.
What do you plan on using your portable mailbox for?
I love that idea!
Thanks!