3 Keys to Making Letters to Grandchildren More Fun
Make every letter to your grandchildren special with these three simple keys to creative correspondence. Plus, get our list of 40 surprise enclosures that fit in a standard envelope!
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We are incredibly fortunate to be grandparents in the digital age. The tools we have for building relationships with our grandchildren are so far beyond what our parents had! Instantly shareable pictures, video chat, texting—they all add so much to our interactions with our grandkids, especially for long-distance grandparents.
But even with all those advantages, sending your grandchild a letter is still worth your time. It’s a way to make them feel special, even if you live in the same town. So bookmark this post–it's full of ways to make the simple act of sending a letter into something truly exciting.
The Magic of Mail: Why Letters to Our Grandchildren Matter
While digital connections are wonderful, research shows that when someone receives physical mail, they experience a sense of importance and connection that screen time can't replicate. A letter from a grandparent is a reminder of your love that can be saved, reread, and treasured. That’s why we created our Grandparent Love Letters: to help you write monthly letters that foster connection.
Three Keys to Letter-Writing Success
There are three keys to making letters to grandchildren more fun, and none of them involve writing skill! You just need to think about the outside, the inside, and the surprise. What you write is almost unimportant if you use these three things to tailor your letter to your grandchild.
Key #1: Create eye-catching envelopes
Even your postage stamps can be fun!
Never underestimate the power of an exciting looking envelope. Use a bright color, or decorate a white envelope with a sticker or two. Get some fun stamps: I send letters to my grandkids with Sesame Street postage stamps I got at USPS.com. Both the UK Royal Mail site and Australia Post have stamps that would appeal to children. Canada’s pickings are slimmer, but stamps change regularly, so keep checking!
Other ways to enhance envelopes:
Choose envelopes in their favorite colors
Add themed stickers matching current interests
Use decorative washi tape around the edges
Write their name in metallic markers
Draw small pictures in the corners
Use seasonal stamps for holidays
Key #2: Select special stationery for letters to your grandkids
Next, find stationery that ties into their interests. Does your granddaughter love dinosaurs? Get some dinosaur cards to send her notes on. Is your grandson going through a building phase? Print pictures of construction equipment and write on the backs.
Amazon has all sorts of fun options. We've collected some favorites and are showing them below—just click on any image to learn more. We’re fans of the Sanrio stationery sets, which have characters universally loved by kids.
More stationery ideas:
Character-themed notecards
Paper with decorated borders
Custom photo stationery
Seasonal designs
Colored or patterned paper
Cards with space for drawings
Our exclusive Grandparent Love Letters
Fun stationery from Amazon for letters to grandchildren
Key #3: Include delightful surprises
Not every letter to your grandchild needs to have a surprise inside, but there are so many fun things to send grandkids in the mail that it’s a shame not to include one! This doesn’t need to cost any money; many of the ideas to mail to grandchildren are things you can make or gather yourself.
Scroll down for a list of 40 things that will fit in a regular envelope. Click on any photo or green link to shop now on Amazon.
40 Surprises to Mail to Your Grandchildren
Canceled stamps
Cartoons
Envelopes
Fortune from fortune cookie
Magazine articles
Maps
Photos
Poem
Pressed flowers or leaves
Recipes
Seed packet
Small notebook
What else can you think of? Share your ideas in the comments!
Making Letter Writing a Regular Connection
Creating a letter-writing routine is helpful. It keeps you on track, and when your grandchild gets regular letters they start to look forward to them. Here are some tips to help
Set a regular writing day—put it on your calendar!
Keep supplies organized and ready
Send your grandchild the supplies to write back to you
Create themed letters for holidays and seasons
Save copies or photos of special letters
Now that you’ve gathered your letter-writing tools, you do need to write something on your notecard or pretty paper. Read Letters to a Grandchild: A Year’s Worth of Ideas if you need inspiration.
Start Creating Lasting Memories Today
Ready to make your letters extra special? Our Grandparent Love Letters templates make it easy to create meaningful messages that your grandchildren will treasure. Each template includes creative prompts that make writing letters easy. Get your Grandparent Love Letters and start creating cherished memories with your grandchildren today.
Remember: The joy isn't in perfect penmanship or profound messages—it's in the love and attention you put into making each letter special for your grandchild. Your letters will become treasured keepsakes that remind them of your loving connection for years to come.