Best Summer Ever: Day 51

August 20
Send Some Inspiration via Snail Mail

Write a letter or send a card to someone who could use a lift.

If you're feeling creative, design your own greeting card or letterhead. (You'll find plenty of ideas and inspiration over at Etsy.com, as well as a smorgasbord of card-making supplies.)

Note: This is a great activity to share with your kids. And if you make extras and tuck them away, you'll have some extra gifts on hand for all kinds of special occasions.

Comments

[Momartfully]

Here you go Ann, the most requested card-related crafts at Casa Momartfully:

handmade cards:
http://www.ehow.com/way_5135570_ideas-making-handmade-cards-kids.html
(ages 3+)

Small Perler bead shapes also make great additions to the front of hand-made cards
(4+ with a grownup to do the ironing)
Also great for making a bedroom door sign:
http://www.perlerbeads.com/ideapages/ideasign/sign.html
I put the beads in large shallow bowls to make them easier to sort

painting for kids:
Glossy finish card-stock works best for kids who like to use a LOT of paint - dry and then trim for cards
mix tissue paper into wet paintings for a neat effect

I love dollar stores for supplies for kid art: paint, pencil crayons, tissue paper collage, seashells, wool scraps, felt fabric, pom-poms. Even pencil shavings and pasta can look pretty.

Put little swatches of other projects on card (great for Gramma), like knitting:

Knitting for kids: http://www.how-to-knit-guide.com/knitting-for-kids.html
I use both types of simple knitting when I have groups of kids over.

Finger knitting with beads makes great and POPULAR necklaces and bracelets while French knitting (spool knitting) makes great handles for mom's knitting projects (Age 4+)

Convential knitting can be a great activity for kids too - especially for kids who need activities to promote focus (Autism spectrum kiddos). Great video resource: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_L41fx4Ddk . (Age 7+)

Go on a nature walk a week prior and gather leaves and flowers to press (in wax paper) and glue to cards.

And handprint cards are always welcome - combine a finger painting session with printing some handprints on card stock. Make a few as your child grows and frame them - great keepsake.

[Ann D]

These are awesome suggestions -- and I love the fact that you've included activities that can be done by kid of various ages and developmental stages. Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom, Momartfully!