Mail Play Set
When I saw Ava playing with a postcard my brother sent her, I decided to laminate it with contact paper so it would stay in good condition a little longer. And then the idea grew into a little set of play mail, which turned out so cute and has been enjoyed over and over again.
1) Postcard to Ava – This actual postcard was sent from her uncle. I just laminated it and and trimmed to fit in Ava’s little mailbox.
2) Postcard from Ava – This postcard was created from tags on one of Ava’s new dresses. Ava added a sticker to look like a stamp, and I laminated it with contact paper so she can write on it with a dry erase marker or window crayon.
3) Envelope addressed to Ava – This pretend mail was simply cut from a letter-sized envelope and decorated to look like it has been run through the mail (sticker stamp, drawn meter lines, sent from Snow White). Again, I laminated with contact paper to help it last longer. I added a magnetic closure so Ava can put pretend mail inside the envelope and then “seal” it.
4) Envelope sent from Ava – This pretend mail was cut from a letter-sized envelope and lines were drawn for the recipient’s name. For this stamp and address label, I added a magnet to the backs so she could “stick” them on. And as always, I laminated everything with contact paper so she can write on it and to help it last longer.
Don’t have a little mailbox? Try making one from a shoebox or from a canister turned sideways or even an unusual container. I have also seen small brown mailboxes at craft stores like Hobby Lobby in the aisle with the unfinished wood and paper box items. Then your child can decorate it any way he/she wants.
I love this! I made something similar for Emily a long time ago out of felt, and it was a big hit with her too! 🙂