While I am adjusting to life with a newborn and toddler, my friend Danielle Walker is my first guest to post a great craft activity called “KID MAIL” to share with your little one, enjoy!
‘KID MAIL’ by Danielle Walker
posted June 2nd 2011
I admit it. My two-and-a-half year old is totally "plugged in." Since the day that she was born she has had a weekly Skype date with her grandparents who live 3,000 miles away, she knows that her favorite episodes of "Fresh Beat Band" are always available on the DVR and 90% of her play dates are arranged via text or a Facebook invite.
Fortunately for me, she is also still young enough to be completely enamored with old-fashioned snail mail. Now that she's also increasingly interested in activities that allow her do "big kid" things all by herself we created a KID MAIL center at our house to encourage her love of sending hand-written messages. We use felt fabric envelopes as they're more durable than paper envelopes when the messages are getting pulled out and shoved in over and over (see directions below for how to make the envelopes), blank index cards and a couple of crayons to write notes and send pictures to one another. We made five envelopes in different colors for each member of the family (and yes, we included the dog AND the fish) and put a mailbox in the entryway for deliveries (we use a "dressed up" shoebox, but you could use a basket or whatever is on hand).
She loves delivering the envelopes filled with little pictures she's drawn for us and "notes" she's scribbled. In our house we use KID MAIL to send tea party invitations to her stuffed animals or thank you notes to Daddy for taking out the trash or even bills to the dog for the toys that he's chewed up. She loves sitting at the kitchen counter writing notes while I cook dinner and on the special days when her envelope contains a new sticker, a hand written note from Mommy, a postcard or a picture of a friend her face lights up!
A friend of mine who also plays the KID MAIL game found that her three-year-old son loves exchanging letters with a four-year-old neighbor friend who is learning how to read and write and thinks that a hand-delivered letter from her friend is the most special thing in the world.
It's just a small game that we like to play in our house, but it's a fun way to shut down the tech for a little while and reconnect with a traditional way of communicating with the (big and little) ones we love.
How I Made The Envelopes:
Fortunately for me, she is also still young enough to be completely enamored with old-fashioned snail mail. Now that she's also increasingly interested in activities that allow her do "big kid" things all by herself we created a KID MAIL center at our house to encourage her love of sending hand-written messages. We use felt fabric envelopes as they're more durable than paper envelopes when the messages are getting pulled out and shoved in over and over (see directions below for how to make the envelopes), blank index cards and a couple of crayons to write notes and send pictures to one another. We made five envelopes in different colors for each member of the family (and yes, we included the dog AND the fish) and put a mailbox in the entryway for deliveries (we use a "dressed up" shoebox, but you could use a basket or whatever is on hand).
She loves delivering the envelopes filled with little pictures she's drawn for us and "notes" she's scribbled. In our house we use KID MAIL to send tea party invitations to her stuffed animals or thank you notes to Daddy for taking out the trash or even bills to the dog for the toys that he's chewed up. She loves sitting at the kitchen counter writing notes while I cook dinner and on the special days when her envelope contains a new sticker, a hand written note from Mommy, a postcard or a picture of a friend her face lights up!
A friend of mine who also plays the KID MAIL game found that her three-year-old son loves exchanging letters with a four-year-old neighbor friend who is learning how to read and write and thinks that a hand-delivered letter from her friend is the most special thing in the world.
It's just a small game that we like to play in our house, but it's a fun way to shut down the tech for a little while and reconnect with a traditional way of communicating with the (big and little) ones we love.
How I Made The Envelopes:
Materials Needed:
1. Sheets of felt in colors of your choice- these come in 9" or 12" x 12" sheets at any craft store.
2. Blank note cards or index cards
3. Needle and thread in a contrasting color (NOTE: If you are not sew-savvy, you can use all-purpose craft glue instead)
4. Fabric paint or other baubles to decorate the envelopes with (i.e., sequins, pom poms)
Step One:
Cut the felt so that it's two inches wider than the note card and 1 1/2 times longer than the note card.
Step Two:
Fold the bottom of the felt up so that it forms a pocket (or an envelope!!) big enough for the note cards and sew or glue the sides, because it's felt the flap of the envelope will hold itself down and you don't need any kind of adhesive or Velcro to hold it down.
Step Three:
If you want, use fabric paint or other baubles to decorate the envelope or let each person in the family decorate their own. Have fun!!
Weekly Calendar of Ongoing
Baby Activities in Marin
(Infant – Walkers)
Monday
10.00 – 10.30 am – Book Babies, San Anselmo Library, 110 Tunstead Ave Town Council Chamber
10.00 – 11.00 am – New Mom’s Group (0-12 mths) until June 11th, Fairfax Youth Center (next to Peri Park), 16 Park Road, Fairfax (donations accepted)
9.30 – 10.15 am & 10.30 – 11.15 am – ‘Music Together of Marin’ (birth to 5yrs) The Parent’s Place, 600 Fifth Ave, San Rafael (Free but preregistration required)
3.00 – 5.00 pm – Crawlers Camp (up to 23 months) at Stretch the Imagination, 47 Tamal Vista Blvd
9.30 – 10.15 am & 10.30 – 11.15 am – ‘Music Together of Marin’ (birth to 5yrs) The Parent’s Place, 600 Fifth Ave, San Rafael (Free but preregistration required)
3.00 – 5.00 pm – Crawlers Camp (up to 23 months) at Stretch the Imagination, 47 Tamal Vista Blvd
Tuesday
9.30 – 10.45 am – Baby Bounce Story time – Larkspur Library, 400 Magnolia Ave, 1st Floor
9.30 – 10.30 am - ‘Jumping Jacks’ (6 months to 24 months) at the San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael
10.00 – 10.30 am - ‘Baby Bounce’ Story time at Novato Library, 1720 Novato Blvd
9.30 – 10.30 am - ‘Jumping Jacks’ (6 months to 24 months) at the San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael
10.00 – 10.30 am - ‘Baby Bounce’ Story time at Novato Library, 1720 Novato Blvd
10.00 – 11.30 am – Drop-in Playtime (under 5yrs), The Parent’s Place, 600 Fifth Ave, San Rafael
10.00 – 11.30 am - ‘Play date for 2 and under’ at The Parent’s Place, 600 Fifth Ave, San Rafael
10.00 – 11.30 am - ‘Play date for 2 and under’ at The Parent’s Place, 600 Fifth Ave, San Rafael
11.00 am – Mom & Baby Group, The Parent’s Center, UU Marin Church, 240 Channing Way, San Rafael (from May 31st)
1.30 – 2.30 pm – Mom & Baby Yoga, The Parent’s Place, 600 Fifth Ave, San Rafael, (June 7th – June 28th)
Wednesday
11.30 - 11.45 am - ‘Music Circle’ (infant to walkers), The Parents Center, Heller’s, 514 4th St, San Rafael
3.00 – 5.00 pm – Crawlers Camp (up to 23 months) at Stretch the Imagination, 47 Tamal Vista, Corte Madera
Thursday
Thursday
9.30 – 10.30 am - ‘Jumping Jacks' (6 months to 24 months) at the San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael
11.00 – 12.30 pm – New Moms Group, The Parent’s Center, 514 Fourth Street, San Rafael
Friday
10.30 - 11.30 am - Story Time & Sing Along with Sara Sonnet, San Rafael Library, 618 B Street, San Rafael
10.30 – 12.00 pm – Free Playgroup (Under 5), Marin Head Start, 610 Drake Ave, Marin City
Saturday
11.00 am – NEW Mother’s Club (great for working moms wanting to connect) at The Parent’s Center, Heller’s, 514 4th St, San Rafael
Weekly Calendar of Ongoing
Toddler Activities in Marin
Monday
10.00 - 12.00 pm - 'Power Play' at Cal Star Gym, 70 Digital Drive, Novato
10.00 - 10.30 am - Kid's Story Time Club, Pharmaca, 7514 Redwood Blvd, Novato
10.00 – 10.30 am – Book Babies, San Anselmo Library, 110 Tunstead Ave Town Council chamber
10.30 – 11.15 am – ‘Music Together of Marin’, The Parent’s Place, 600 Fifth Ave, San Rafael
3.00 – 5.00 pm – Crawlers Camp (up to 23 months) at Stretch the Imagination, 47 Tamal Vista Blvd
10.30 – 11.15 am – ‘Music Together of Marin’, The Parent’s Place, 600 Fifth Ave, San Rafael
3.00 – 5.00 pm – Crawlers Camp (up to 23 months) at Stretch the Imagination, 47 Tamal Vista Blvd
10.00 - 6.00 pm - 'Jump n Bounce’, 718 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo (every day)
Tuesday
9.30 – 10.45 am – Baby Bounce Story time – Larkspur Library, 400 Magnolia Ave, 1st Floor
10.00 – 10.30 am - ‘Baby Bounce’ Story time at Novato Library, 1720 Novato Blvd
9.30 – 10.30 am - ‘Jumping Jacks’ (up to 24 months) at the San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael
10.30 – 11.30 am - ‘Jumping Jacks’ (24 months & up) at the San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael
9.30 – 10.30 am - ‘Jumping Jacks’ (up to 24 months) at the San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael
10.30 – 11.30 am - ‘Jumping Jacks’ (24 months & up) at the San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael
10.00 – 11.30 am - ‘Play date for 2 and under’ at The Parent’s Place, 600 Fifth Ave, San Rafael
10. 00 – 11.00 am – ‘Little Soccer Club’ (3 – 5yrs) until Apr 5th, MLK Gym, 610 Colma Street, Sausalito
10.15 - 10.45 am - 'Music Circle' (walkers up to 3 1/2), at The Parents Center, Heller's Store, 514 4th Street, San Rafael
11.00 - 11.30 am – ‘Book Club Story Time’ at ‘Pottery Barns Kids’ store, Corte Madera Village
11.30 – 12.00 pm – ‘Jamaroo Kids’, Terra Linda Community Center, 670 Del Ganado Road, San Rafael
3.30 – 4.15 pm – ‘Doodler’s Craft Time, Terra Linda Clubroom, 670 Del Ganado Road, San Rafael
Wednesday
10.00 - 12.00 pm - 'Indoor Power Play' at Cal Star Gym, 70 Digital Drive, Suite 3, Novato
10.00 -10.30 am – Music Together, San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael
9.30 – 12.30 pm – Playgroup Drop in (until June 11th) Fairfax Pavilion, 142 Bolinas Rd, Fairfax
10.15 - 10.45 am - ‘Music Circle’ (walkers up to 3 1/2), The Parents Center, Heller’s, 514 4th St, San Rafael
11.30 - 12.00 pm - ‘Music Circle’ (infant to walkers), The Parents Center, Heller’s, 514 4th St, San Rafael
10.15 - 10.45 am - ‘Music Circle’ (walkers up to 3 1/2), The Parents Center, Heller’s, 514 4th St, San Rafael
11.30 - 12.00 pm - ‘Music Circle’ (infant to walkers), The Parents Center, Heller’s, 514 4th St, San Rafael
10.00 - 10.45 am - Fun & Funky (age 2 - 4), Fairfax Community Center,
10.30 - 11.30 am – Adventure Club Drop in Play, MLK Gym, 610 Colma Street, Sausalito
11.00 - 11.30 am – Story Time at Giggle Store, Corte Madera Village
11.00 -11.30 am – Preschool Story Time, Novato Library, 1720 Novato Blvd
3.00 – 5.00 pm – Crawlers Camp (up to 23 months) at Stretch the Imagination, 47 Tamal Vista, Corte Madera
Thursday
9.30 – 12.30 pm – Playgroup Drop in (until June 11th) Fairfax Pavilion, 142 Bolinas Rd, Fairfax
9.30 – 12.30 pm – Playgroup Drop in (until June 11th) Fairfax Pavilion, 142 Bolinas Rd, Fairfax
11.00 am & 12.00 pm – Bookmobile presents Story Time at the Farmers Market, The Civic Center, 3501 Civic center Drive, San Rafael
10.00 - 12.00 pm - 'Indoor Power Play' at Cal Star Gym, 70 Digital Drive, Novato
9.30 – 10.30 am - ‘Jumping Jacks' (up to 24 months) at the San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael (CLOSED THU MAY 19TH)
10.30 – 11.30 am - ‘Jumping Jacks' (24 months & up) at the San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael
10.15 -10.45 am – Toddler Story time (2-3 yrs.), Mill Valley Library, 375 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley
10.30 – 11.00 am – Story Time at San Rafael Library, 618 B Street, San Rafael
11. 00 – 12.00pm – ‘Mommy & Me- In the Garden’ (1 – 4 yrs. until June 9th), Landmarks Art & Garden center, 841 Tiburon Blvd, Tiburon
11.00 - 11.30 am - Story Time at Barnes & Noble, 313 Corte Madera Center
3.30 - 4.00 pm - 'Stories with Phil Sheridan', Sausalito Library, 420 Litho Street, Sausalito
Friday
11.00 - 11.30 am - Story Time at Barnes & Noble, 313 Corte Madera Center
3.30 - 4.00 pm - 'Stories with Phil Sheridan', Sausalito Library, 420 Litho Street, Sausalito
Friday
9.30 - 11.00 am - Art for You and Me, San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael
9.30 – 12.30 pm – Playgroup Drop in (until June 11th) Fairfax Pavilion, 142 Bolinas Rd, Fairfax
9.30 – 10.15 am – Doodlers Craft Time, Terra Linda Club Room, 670 Del Ganado Road, Terra Linda
10.00 – 10.30 am – Intro to Ballet, Women’s Club, 46 Park Road, Fairfax (until July 6th)
10.30 - 11.30 am - Story Time with Sara Sonnet, San Rafael Library, 618 B Street, San Rafael
10.30 – 12.00 pm – Jumping Jacks, Strawberry Recreation District, 118 Strawberry Drive, 2nd floor gym
10.30 – 12.00 pm – Free Playgroup (Under 5), Marin Head Start, 610 Drake Ave, Marin City
1 comment:
Hi. Kid mail is a cute idea. We both post to the pinboard on Circle of Moms. My blog, Capri + 3, will be hosting a weekly linky party starting this Wednesday July 11th, called Artsy Play Wednesday. This post would be a perfect addition. There is no link to the number of posts you can link each Wednesday as long as they are about arts, crafts and play. I hope to see you there this Wednesday (and each Wednesday).
: 0 ) Theresa
http://www.multiples-mom.com
Post a Comment