In a world of texts and instant messages, there’s something really special about getting a handwritten letter in the mail — especially for kids. A personal note arriving just for them can feel like pure magic, and it’s a simple way to stay connected, spark creativity, and slow things down in the best way.
When I was little, my aunt used to send me letters, and I still remember how exciting it was to open an envelope with my name on it. Now, with kids in our family, I love keeping that tradition alive. It’s a fun, thoughtful thing to do during school holidays, weekends, or anytime you want to make a child feel special.
The good news? Writing to kids doesn’t have to be perfect or formal. It’s about being playful, kind, and a little bit creative. In this post, I’ll share some easy, modern tips for writing fun, feel-good letters that kids will actually want to read (and maybe even write back!).
Ready to ditch the screen for a bit and brighten a little one’s day? Let’s get started.
1. Write in Large Print
If you’re writing to a younger kid like my niece (age 6-9), write in large, legible print so the child can easily read what you’ve written.
If the child is 10+ years old, try writing in large, legible cursive. Several 10 year-olds aren’t taught cursive in school, but receiving your letter might get them excited about learning it on their own. If you’re not sure that the child will be able to read cursive, you can always include a printed “translation”.
2. Include Illustrations or Goodies
When I write letters to kids, I always include some sort of illustration or treats like stickers. My niece loves Greek mythology figures — particularly Medusa — so I doodled a little snake for her.
Enclosures are always a good idea when it comes to kids! You can include something DIY, like flower confetti, or tuck in stickers or postage stamps.
3. Ask Lots of Questions
When you include questions in a letter to a kid, you stoke their excitement to write you back. Try to think of a handful of questions that the child will enjoy answering.
Here are some general question suggestions:
- What did you do today?
- What’s your favorite _____ (food, song, book, etc)?
- How are things at school … do you like your teacher?
- What are you most excited about this summer/holiday break?
4. Include Simple Stories
Depending on the child’s age and interests, it’s a good idea to include a story or two. In this letter, I mostly asked questions, but I included a couple of informational tidbits — for example, that my sister-in-law’s birthday is coming up.
Think about the child you’re writing to as you consider which stories or information to include. My niece just learned how to read, so I know that pages upon pages of stories might be laborious for her to digest. So, I kept it simple. As she gets older, I’ll likely write more information and less questions.
5. Make a Fabulous Envelope
The cardinal rule of writing letters to kids is to enclose the letter in an eye-catching envelope. As I pondered the theme of my niece’s envelope, I thought about her original letter to me, which prominently features Medusa as a child (“modoosa the kid” — so cute).
I decided to introduce her to a new mythological figure: the Siren. I gave my Siren a name and subtle details that hint at her danger: claws, horns, and delicate bones holding up her dress. In the distance, a doomed vessel bobs in the sea. I know that my niece will delight in these details!
Remember that you can customize your mail art to suit the child’s interest. A couple of years ago, I made this lego-themed envelope for a friend’s young son:
I almost always write in calligraphy on kids’ envelopes. It’s a great way to introduce the child to the art of calligraphy! For my niece’s envelope, I used pretty Janet Style calligraphy with plenty of flourishes.
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