Saying thank you to a mail carrier is an easy and thoughtful way to share the holiday spirit with others

Through snow and rain, heat, and gloom of night, your local mail carriers deliver your letters and packages directly to your door (or at least your nearest mailbox). And, during the season of goodwill and cheer, they deserve major props. From mail carrier thank you cards to gifts for mail carriers, here are six ways to thank your mail carrier. The best part? All of these are easy for kids and fun, too (think baking cookies!).

Write a letter!

christmas shipping deadlines for the USPS
USPS

Even if you don't know your mail person by name, you can still address them in a general way, such as  "Our Favorite Mailman" or "Our Faithful Carrier." A simple note that says how much you appreciate the hard work they do (extra cute if your kids can write it out) will go a long way in making your postal worker feel special. Put it in an envelope and use stickers instead of stamps. (After all, they love mail, right?) You can also nab this free, downloadable template if you need a little help!

Make a Thank You Card

rawpixel via Unsplash

As always, a thank you card is a lovely gesture. Let the kids draw a little picture or get creative or use a printable like this one to make a little note to attach to the flag of your mailbox. If you can afford it, add a $10 or $15 gift card for somewhere like Amazon or a nearby coffee shop in the envelope. Be sure and do something OBVIOUS to make it clear it's not a regular piece of mail.

Include a Gift Card

iStock

If you can afford it, add a $10 or $15 gift card to somewhere like Target or a nearby coffee shop with the letter or the card.  Be sure and do something obvious to make it clear it's not a regular piece of mail. Mail carriers are not legally allowed to accept single gifts valued at over $20 so keep that in mind. 

Related: 2022 Christmas Shipping Deadlines for USPS, FedEx, UPS & More

Leave a Thoughtful Gift

wondering how to thank your mail carrier? Leave a gift in the mailbox
iStock

A thoughtful gift (again, under $20) is another simple way to let them know you're thinking of them. Consider things like warm gloves, an insulated mug, cozy socks, or a new water bottle

Bake Something Special

iStock

Leave cookies in the box or on the doorstep with a clearly marked sign. Be sure to seal them in something, even a ziplock or paper bag decorated with stickers works, and attach a note that says thanks! It's a good idea to list the ingredients in case of allergies or food sensitivities.

Say It Out Loud

this is how to thank your mail carrier
iStock

Shout it out! If you're home when the mail comes, be sure to say, "Thank you!" Get the kids in the habit of saying it, too. You can always throw open a window and shout it out. A little gesture of kindness and gratitude like this can go a long way on a long day. 

 

Celebrate the beauty of spring by making a magical fairy garden all your own

Your little one is no stranger to enchantments: from peering under rocks to fashioning wings and wands, the kingdom of the fairy is a magical place perfect for budding imaginations. What better way than to combine a love of the fae with a little small-scale gardening, of the little people, by the little people, and for the little people! We’ve got an easy tutorial on how to make a fairy garden for kids right here. For more seasonal fun, try a different gardening project for kids or giggle at a few spring jokes.

What You Need to Make a Fairy Garden for Kids

a succulent fairy garden for kids
Sara Olsher

A garden pot. Preferably one that is wide and/or bowl-shaped, so you have more room for all the tiny things, but any will do. Don’t forget the potting soil!

Plants. You can use annuals like lobelia, violets, or marigolds, or use succulents/sedum or other dwarf ground covers. If you want to get elaborate, get some bonsai trees. If your garden is indoor-only, look for teeny-tiny house plants, which you can pick up at a garden center for only a few dollars. Be sure and water the plants when you bring them home and before planting.

Shortcut: no plants or place to really grow them? Try a little florist moss for a woodland effect without the woods!

Little Things. Here’s where you can get creative. Decorate your fairy garden with little items found or created. Pinecones trees, stick teepees, and stones for benches or garden paths all give the fairy garden an au naturel feeling. Many nurseries now carry miniature “fairy house” items, but you can scour your toy boxes for the just-right accessory: a petite teacup could become a fountain or reflection pool, little flags from hors d’oeuvres designate fairy territory, large marbles become garden globes. We love this popsicle stick house (and table and chair set). Also, try aquarium stores for tiny castles and similar structures. And don’t forget LEGO bricks! 

Create Your Fairy Kingdom

a jeweled fairy garden for kids
iStock

Fill your pot with soil. If you have any larger “structural” items, such as a tiny house, put that in place before you plant. Designate an area where you will put your garden path. Most of the smaller items can be added after, or in some cases, on top of the plants.

Make sure your plants have been watered but aren’t still soaking wet.

Tip: Layout your plants and larger garden decor in the pattern you’d like before you remove the plants from their pots. That way, you can rearrange them a bit before deciding exactly where they’ll go.

Plant your plants with enough space in between them for them to grow. As a rule of thumb, plant the largest plant you have first (i.e. the bonsai tree) and anything that might trail over or creep a bit closer to the edge of the pot. Before you accessorize, be sure you are happy with the placement of your plants. You can move them a bit after planting if necessary, but it’s best to avoid this too much as it will traumatize the plants and they may not thrive.

Tip: If you aren’t using live plants, you still need to create an elevated surface in your pot. If you prefer to skip the dirt, you could try using small pebbles to create a relatively flat surface on which to create your garden.

Now place in an area where fairies are sure to visit: garden, deck, porch, bedroom windowsill, or dresser near a window.

 

If you’re looking for a snowflake science experiment, you’ve come to the right place

Whether your sidekick playfully carves out angels in the snow or sits at the window longing for some of that white stuff to actually fall, she’s all about the frosty flakes. And while play is her main motivation, she’s got serious questions about this wonderful winter phenomenon. Like, how do snowflakes form and what do they really look like up close? Dig deep with a flurry of experimental activities we’ve outlined below to find answers to all her snowflake science questions.

Piece It Together

girl learning about snowflake science
Allison Sutcliffe

We hate to break it to you, but those adorably sweet snowflake cutouts your kid has been bringing home from school this winter don’t pass scientific muster. Because even though folding paper to make four or eight-sided flakes are super easy, Mother Nature’s snowflakes showcase six-sided symmetry exclusively.

Before diving into your own masterpiece, introduce your scientifically-inclined sidekick to the principle that helps explain why six is the magic number for snowflakes: When the water/oxygen molecules bond during freezing they make hexagons. Recreate this microscopic lattice phenomenon on a larger scale using mini marshmallows and toothpicks with your kids (Click on the link above to find a handy-dandy diagram from Ohio State University!).

Cut It Out

learning about snowflake science
Allison Sutcliffe

Now that your kiddo’s got the six-sided thing down, it’s time to make some of your own scientifically accurate snowflakes from paper. We’ve found an easy way for the tot lot to get the signature six-sided look they’re going for (hint: it’s all about the fold). Simply follow this illustrated tutorial to make paper snowflakes that are true to life. And if you’re looking to bypass the mess, the Make-A-Flake digital option is definitely the way to go. Your tech-savvy tot can cut and save all her frosty creations and save trees too!

Get Real

learning about snowflake science
Marc Newberry via Unsplash

Observation is the next step when it comes to snowflake science. If you don't have fresh snow on the ground, you’ve got to get creative and make your own: Leave your freezer door open for a couple of minutes and then close it for 20. When you open it again, your inquisitive cutie should find frosty snowflakes lining the interior.

Now that you’ve got snow to work with, it’s time to get an up-close look at some of Mother Nature’s most delicately beautiful creations. To do this, you’ll need a magnifying glass and a dark piece of paper or, if you’re outside, you can also capture snowflakes on clothing like your gloves or jacket sleeve. Gather a few fresh flakes and use the magnifying glass to examine them in detail (If you’re working with freezer snowflakes, melting is an issue, so leave those tiny miracles in the freezer while you magnify.).

Reassure your little scientists that it’s true, no two are alike, and let them know that just one can be made up of over 200 tiny ice crystals! While you’re looking, have your mini-me count up the sides and use this chart to match what you’ve got in hand with standard ice crystals.

Related: Snowman-Inspired Snacks You Can Easily Pull Off

\

Watch and Learn

Zdeněk Macháček via Unsplash

You’ve figured out a snowflake’s molecular structure, cut out creative and accurate examples of your own, and examined the real deal through a handheld magnifying glass. Now it’s time to take it one step further. Go behind the scene with rad videos that explain a ton of science behind snowflakes, like their formation and life cycle.

Science Friday’s Snowflake Safari follows Kenneth Libbrecht—CalTech’s resident snowflake expert—a scientist who’s spent a lot of time looking into these chilly chips, as he examines snowflake basics. Be sure to augment your own magnifying experience by flipping through some of Libbrecht’s spectacular snowflake slides online. They’re a great way to demonstrate many of the concepts you and your kiddo have already explored.

Finish up your viewing session with the National Science Foundation’s video about photographing snowflakes. It starts with the man who pioneered the field, Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley, and ends with the discoveries made by the Present Weather Imager, a high-tech camera that captures snowflakes in action. Lights, camera, learn!

Make Your Own

growing a snowflake crystal is a good snowflake science project
Allison Sutcliffe

Wrap up what you’ve learned about snowflake science by making a crystal snowflake of your own. Use pipe cleaners to create a six-sided snowflake that gets suspended in a Borax solution overnight. What’s created is a larger-than-life snowflake that’s just as sparkly as the ones that fall from the sky.

 

Need an activity that doubles as a learning moment? Writing a limerick is actually simple when you learn the basics of its structure and it’s an excellent way to practice rhyming words with kids. While the origin of the limerick is unknown, many people believe it refers back to an Irish soldier’s song, “Will You Come Up to Limerick?”. Read on to get the simple tutorial on writing your own limerick with the kids!

1. Rhyme Time

A limerick has five lines.
The first, second and fifth lines all rhyme with each other.
The third and fourth lines rhyme with each other.

  1. To
  2. Who
  3. Lock
  4. Stock
  5. Glue

2. Feel the Beat

The first, second and fifth lines (which all rhyme with each other) have the same rhythmic pattern:

Ba dum ba da dum da da dum (8 syllables)

The third and fourth lines (which rhyme with one another) have this pattern:

Ba dum ba da dum (five syllables)

3. Try it out

  1. There once was a kid who was sad
    (Ba dum ba da dum da da dum)
  2. He made up a lie to his dad
    (Ba dum ba da dum da da dum)
  3. His pop knew the trick
    (ba dum ba da dum)
  4. And called it out quick
    (ba dum ba da dum)
  5. And now the kid’s ice cream’s gone bad
    (Ba dum ba da dum da da dum)

A famous example:

Hickory, dickory, dock
The mouse ran up the clock
The clock struck run,
And down he run,
Hickory, dickory, dock!

4. Get creative!

Want to make it easier on little ones? Try a “fill-in-the-blank” method. Just take away a few of the rhyming words and have them guess the answers.

There once was a _____ from the farm
Who had sixteen hairs on his ______
Dog gave them a pull
Cat laughed like a _____
They never meant him any ____.

RELATED STORIES

Line Up: 4 Crafty Ways to Introduce Kids to Poetry

Haiku for You: Simple Haiku Writing for Kids 

Fill-in-the-Blank Poetry Fun 

Beyond Mother Goose: Best Poets for Kids

Are you searching for a fun-filled Valentine’s Day party game for a play date or school party? Look no further. From heart shapes and loving words to colors and following cute clues, we’ve found easy and fun holiday-themed scavenger hunt ideas perfect for your kiddo and her friends. Read on to see them all!

Cute Cards

Pexels

You may have over-bought those cartoon character-covered Valentine's Day cards. But come on, who knew the seemingly slim box had 102 teeny tiny fold and tear cards? Put the extras to use and set up a card-centered scavenger hunt. Write clues on the back of each card, creating a series of hints to follow. This holiday activity idea is easy to adapt, letting you play this game with just your child or split a larger group of kids into teams. If you go the multi-player route, create separate sets of cards for each team to find.

Loving List

Julia Raasch via Unsplash

Give the kids something the chance to search and collect with this scavenger hunt Valentine's Day game. Start with a list of loving, lovely or loved objects. Take the complexity up a notch and use clues instead of words. Give each child (or team of children) their list to decode. The kiddos/teams also need bags to collect their bounty. As they find each clue item, the kids can bag it up and move on to the next. The first child or team to collect all their listed items wins! And what do they win? Well, that's up to you.

Follow the Hearts

Stephan Henning via Unsplash

So your tot can't read the clues you want to write on heart-shaped cards for a Valentine's Day scavenger hunt. That's okay. Swap out the words for directional arrows. Create a series of cut-out heart shapes and place them around the house or in your yard. Each heart will have a treat and an arrow. Your child must follow the arrows to get to the finish line. How will they know when they've won? Mark the end of the hunt with a special set-up, including anything from heart confetti and cute candies to chocolate, balloons and streamers. 

Sweet Treat Search

Erica Loop

Your Valentine's Day baking project is yet to get underway. Don't stress—get the kids to help. Instead of a boring baking session, take cooking up a notch and turn it into a scavenger hunt game. Create a series of clues that lead the kiddos around the house, finding all the ingredients necessary. The last clue ends in the kitchen, where the kids will help you bake a holiday cake, cupcake or another sweet treat. 

Heart Hunt

Erica Loop

Is your child beginning to learn about shapes? Share this geometry experience, play up the holiday theme and keep your curious tot busy with a heart hunt. Cut out as many cardboard or construction paper hearts as you can. Get creative, scratch that—inspire your kiddo to get creative, and finger paint the hearts first. Hide the hearts (after the paint dries) and help your child scavenge the house looking for them.

Loads of Love

Anna Kolosyuk via Unsplash

What does your child love? This Valentine's Day scavenger hunt idea lets them focus on what they love. Create clues, either written or verbal, that lead them to places, spaces and items around the house that they love. Include lovies, toys or anything else that your child adores. Expand the search into your neighborhood and stage an all-out community love hunt. Look for favorite buildings and areas, such as the library, your child's school or the playground.

Family and Friends

Pixabay

If your child isn't into searching for things they love, consider switching things up and making their Valentine's Day scavenger hunt about people they love. Craft your clues, writing a few words or sentences that describe the person on the front of a notecard. Glue a pic of the person to the back. Your child has to hunt the house for the clue. Don't worry if your kiddo's favorite people aren't around. Instead of flying grandma in or asking your FIL to come over, play a picture-matching hunt game. Post photos of friends and family around the house, and then ask your child to match their clue to the pics. 

Hearty Hues

Erica Loop

Now that your tot is connecting color words with the actual colors, you're doing everything you can to help build a hue-heavy vocabulary. Even though the traditional Valentine's Day colors are red and pink, there's no rule saying you have to stick with those hues. Draw and cut out purple, blue, orange, yellow, brown, pink and red hearts. Give your kiddo color cards to match to the hearts as they hunt inside or outside (weather permitting).

Hunt with Numbers

Hands On As We Grow

This scavenger hunt for kids is all about math. Well, maybe not all about math—it's got a Valentine's Day theme too, of course. Instead of using written clues to hunt, Hands On As We Grow has a countdown. This is a great game for pre-readers!

Heart Puzzle

Artem Podrez via Pexels

This is a two-in-one scavenger hunt! Cut out one big heart or several small ones, then cut it into puzzle pieces of whatever shape you'd like. Have your kid scavenge for the puzzle pieces so they can build the heart puzzle back together at the end.

—Taylor Clifton & Erica Loop

 

RELATED STORIES:

Where to Get Valentine’ Day Candy Conversation Hearts Since NECCO Is No More

10 Valentine’s Day Science Experiments

Make a Pop-Up Photo Love Letter for Valentine’s Day& Or Any Day!

Advertisement

Sometime over the summer, parents usually hear the very first, “How many more days until Christmas?” query. You’ll laugh and say, “Not for a while, buddy” as you toss bathing suits into the laundry basket. But as the days go on, the questions keep coming. Vague answers aren’t quite cutting it for your eager kiddo. The Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch can be a gamechanger for Kriss Kringle-obsessed kids—because every parent could use a Robot to get us through the holiday season, #amiright?

This fun, interactive smartwatch features an intuitive, kid-friendly interface that helps kids learn to tell time and keep track of it. They can use a stopwatch, timer, alarm clock, calendar and set reminders—perfect for keeping tabs on the days until Santa comes down the chimney.

And should they need a little distraction from focusing on the best-holiday-of-the-year… they can keep busy and engaged with a variety of learning, arcade and fitness games. The pedometer, dance activity game and augmented reality Walk n’ Wonder game will keep their body moving while they dream up their wish list!

And speaking of wish lists, here’s how the cool Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch can help your kiddo get creative while building a list of must-have gifts!

Another reason your kids will want this smartwatch? The Tobi robot character speaks gibberish, giggles and has more than 100 expressions. Featuring moving arms and legs, this built-in interactive robot is here to help children learn, manage important tasks (like a Christmas countdown!), and have tons of fun every day.

Buy the Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch here!

Grandparents Day falls on Sept. 12 this year and it’s the perfect time to celebrate the people who put the grand in grandparent. From mail-order hugs to Grandparents Day coloring pages, we’ve found DIY gifts for grandparents that are thoughtful, creative, and come together in no time. Keep scrolling for all the awesome possibilities.

Grandkid Date of the Month Club

mliu92 via Flickr

When it comes to gift ideas for grandparents, you can't go wrong with quality time with the grandkids! Inner Child Fun came up with the brilliant idea for a Grandkid Date of the Month Club; just brainstorm a dozen fun activities and assign each one to an appropriate month. Voila! Learn more here.

"I Love You" Pillowcase

Mama. Papa. Bubba

Give the grandparents extra sweet dreams with this cute DIY pillowcase idea from Mama. Papa. Bubba. All you need is fabric markers, a couple of mini artists, and the pillowcase, of course. For the full (easy) how-to, click here.

Paint Your Life

Paint your life takes your most-loved photos and creates a work of art! Professional artists work to capture your favorite people in whatever format you choose—oil, charcoal, watercolor, and more.

Paint Your Life ($150.00+)—Find Out More Here

No-sew rice heating pad

Unsophisticook

Pamper grandparents with this homemade heating pad from Unsophisticook! It's stuffed with a pantry staple (rice!), can be made in 5 minutes, and uses upcycled baby legwarmers. Get the full instructions here.

Grandparents Day Coloring Pages

Skip to My Lou

Kid-made art is always a hit with grandparents, which is why you should click on over to Skip to My Lou. With three types of Grandparents Day coloring pages (each one cuter than the last), your little artists can go to town! Get the printables here.

Send a Hug

Paging Supermom

Send a life-sized hug to Grandma and Grandpa! All you need to do is trace your kiddo's outstretched arms to create a giant paper “hug” that you can roll up and mail. Paging Supermom shared all the fun details of this project with Raising Arizona Kids. Click here for the how-to!

Butterfly Footprint Art

Mommypotamus

Put a smile on Grandma and Grandpa's faces with a cute footprint keepsake! With acrylic paint and a canvas, and a little guidance from Mommypotamus, you’ll have a professional-looking, adorable gift in no time. To get the instructions, click here.

Interview with a Grandparent

Ivan Rocha via Flickr

Get your kids to interview their grandparents in order to learn more about the family tree: We’ve got 10 great questions right here. For extra memories, bust out your iPhone and hit record so you can keep the grandparent-grandkid interaction forever. Do Grandma and Grandpa live far away? We’d bet they’d love getting mail. Just send the interview questions, along with a kid-crafted card.

Colorful Coasters

Natural Beach Living

Let your little artists get creative with this simple project from Natural Beach Living. It’s super easy to pull off with supplies you probably already have, and the resulting coasters are functional and special! To get all the details on how they’re made, click here.

Flowery Card for Grandma

Mama. Papa. Bubba

This gift idea from Mama. Papa. Bubba. is sure to melt any grandparent’s heart. Each flower petal describes one of your mini-me’s favorite things about their grandma or grandpa. To get the details on how it’s made, click here.

Popsicle Picture Frame for Pop

Eighteen 25

Skip the store-bought picture frame and grab jumbo Popsicle sticks instead! Eighteen 25 has the 411 on assembling and decorating these fun frames. Just add a fave family photo for the perfect grandparent gift! Click here to get all the details.

Grandkid Refrigerator Magnets

I Can Teach My Child

How adorable are these refrigerator magnets from I Can Teach My Child? If you don't have enough kids to spell out “GRANDMA,” get creative and spell "LOVE" or “PAPA.” For more on this fun project, just click here.

Mini Photo Book

Walla Walla Valley Girl

Gather up a bunch of your favorite photos to make this easy DIY from Walla Walla Valley Girl. Once the photos are printed (you can do it on the cheap at your local drugstore), just punch holes and attach them to a metal ring. Click here for the full instructions.

10 Things We Love About Grandpa

Somewhat Simple

Here's a genius gift idea from Somewhat Simple: Ask your kids to name three or four things they love about their grandpa. Then type their honest, meaningful, and hilarious answers up word-for-word and attach a small gift that represents each answer. Click here to get the details.

DIY Photo Keychains

Somewhat Simple

Grandma and Grandpa can keep your little ones close all the time with this cute idea from My Crazy Life as a Farmer’s Wife. After you print out photos, have your little artists help decorate the keychains before gifting them. To see the instructions, click here.

Grandkid Photo Luminaries

Our Best Bites

Why frame it, when you can illuminate it? Turn your favorite family snapshots into these glowing photo luminaries from Our Best Bites. Bonus: These holders are upcycled from items like mason jars, flower vases, and hurricanes! Click here for the full tutorial.

— Abigail Matsumoto & Aimee Della Bitta

Feature photo: iStock 

 

RELATED STORIES:

12 Games to Play with Grandparents

Things to Do When Grandparents Visit

How Much Time Should Kids Spend with Grandparents?

What do you get when you cross Magna-Tiles (the magnetic building set kids love) with Crayola markers? Answer: A super exciting new collab called Doodle Tiles.

Yes, it’s as cool as it sounds. You can draw right on these tiles (without mom getting mad), giving kids tons of new ways to get creative. Create a flower-covered house, build a rocket ship, the sky is the limit. And when the next inspiration strikes, wipe off the marker designs with a wet cloth and kids can create new masterpieces.

It’s not only kids of all ages who can’t get enough of CreateOn’s Magna-Tiles. Parents love the way the tiles encourage kids to use their creativity, while working on fine and gross motor skills, shape recognition, balance, symmetry and teamwork with siblings or friends. Adding drawing to the mix multiplies both the fun and the learning.

Snap up Doodle Tiles for $29.99 on the CreateOn website. And coming later this year from CreateOn and Crayola: PaintOn Magna-Tiles!

—Eva Ingvarson Cerise

Image courtesy of CreateOn

 

RELATED STORIES:

Bring Sesame Street to Life with Magna-Tiles

Here’s How to Make Your Own Photo Magna-Tiles

New Eric Carle Magnatile Story Sets Encourage STEAM Education

How to Make an Origami Cat

Looking for the purrfect hands-on craft for little cat lovers? Origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, is an easy (and mess-free) way for families to get creative this summer. All you need is paper, scissors for cutting and some helpful how-tos. Follow these steps below to make your first origami cat!

Keep your real-life cat happy with the help of ARM & HAMMER™ AbsorbX! ARM & HAMMER™ AbsorbX lightweight kitty litter gives pet parents the assurance of odor control while being 50% lighter than their regular litter. Thanks to unique Desert Dry Minerals, easy-to-carry AbsorbX traps, seals and controls odors fast.

Try it today at your local PublixGiantStop & ShopGiant Food Stores or Martin’s!

 

ABOUT OUR SPONSOR
ARM & HAMMER™ AbsorbX
ARM & HAMMER™ AbsorbX has all the convenience of lightweight kitty litter with the confidence of guaranteed odor control. AbsorbX is over 50% lighter than their regular litter and has an improved formula to help reduce litter tracking. Try it today at your local Publix, Giant, Stop & Shop, Giant Food Stores or Martin's!

 

 

*compared to regular ARM & HAMMER Litter