Why not just send a thank you note in an email or send a card you can mail over the Internet? By crafting and writing an actual card, a gift sender knows the child is the one responding. This helps to teach kids responsibility. By writing a card, kids also practice their writing (fine motor skills) as well as simple social skills. Making the card adds some fun.
Arts and Craft Supplies
Parents and kids have a lot of options for the base of their cards.
- Find premade cards and envelopes at the craft or stationery store.
- Fold a piece of cardstock in half. Or, cut it in half and fold each piece into smaller cards. Find card envelopes at the office supply store.
- Fold a regular piece of paper in half. This doesn’t look as nice as cardstock because marker and other art supplies can bleed through the paper.
- Art supplies of your choice.
Easy Crafts for Kids
Because the front of a card is a small space, kids can quickly decorate several cards. It also saves time if kids select one type of art supply; if they want to use different materials, they should make a few cards with one supply and then switch.
- Markers and Stickers – Kids can draw a scene and then set the stickers in place.
- Abstract Art – Try Crazy Painting Activities that create colorful artwork that’s fun for kids who don’t like drawing. Cardstock can hold up to small amounts of paint without getting warped.
- Stencils – Stencils are fun because the shape can be outlined, colored in randomly, or the details can be filled into the shape.
- Rubber Stamps – Make a scene or just create a fun pattern on the front of the card.
- Colored Pencil or Marker – Kids who enjoy drawing can make a picture, perhaps of them with a specific gift.
How to Write a Thank You Card
- Start the letter by saying, “Dear _____,”
- The first line should thank the giver for the specific item, “Thank you for the _____.” This way the giver is certain that you know what they gave. If cash was the gift, etiquette considers it more polite to say something like, “generous gift” or “kind gift” as opposed to words like “cash” or “money.”
- The second line tells the giver how you are using the gift. “I’ve already played the game for an hour straight.” If you don’t like the gift and won’t be able to return it, avoid hurting the giver’s feelings. It isn’t necessary to lie; although, the truth may be vague. “I will put the pink teddy bear on a shelf.” (That shelf may be in your closet.) “I’ll wear my sweater on a special day.” (No day may be that ‘special.’)
- Older kids may add an extra line about the giver. For example, “I’m so glad you came to my birthday party.” “I can’t wait to spend time with you on vacation.” “See you at baseball practice.”
- Finally, kids can sign their name. Even a child who can’t write should be encouraged to dictate their thank you (and learn what is proper) and then sign their name.
By taking the time to decorate a card and then write a note a gift giver feels appreciated for the present that they gave to the child. Kids can practice this basic social skill while enjoying the fun of creating art.
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