Letter Writing Binder for Kids

Here’s a neat gift idea for school age children. We’ve given one to each of our children for a 6th or 7th birthday. It encourages them to write thank you cards and letters and gives them a snazzy way to organize all the necessary supplies. We’ve also given them out as gifts to friends, whether boy or girl.

SUPPLIES NEEDED

1″ binder with clear sleeve
stickers — to decorate binder, in a “theme” to match the child’s tastes
stickers — to include with binder for letter writing
colored cardstock — to match theme
invitation size envelopes
decorative edge scissors
straight edge scissors
zippered pencil pouch (3 hole punched)
folder (3 hole punched) or binder divider with pocket
markers — to decorate binder
nice pen — to include with binder for letter writing
sheet of postage stamps
sheet of pre-printed return address labels (Avery 5267)
stationery — purchased or homemade

SET UP THE BINDER

Insert your chosen zipper pouch and folder (or binder divider) into the binder.

MAKE THE CARDS

Packages of color coordinated cardstock is available inexpensively at craft and discount stores. When cut in half along the long edge and then folded in half, they make the perfect size card to fit an invitation size envelope (also available inexpensively in the office supply section of most stores). If you wish, use decorate scissors to add a decorative edge to each card.

Since the cards will most likely be adorned by the child’s drawings and/or messages, you will want to make sure to use medium to light colors. Otherwise, what the child adds will not show up.

You may also wish to purchase cards or stationary. Whatever you use, you will tuck them into a pocket divider or folder that fits in the binder.

This is an example of a binder divider filled up with the cards, stationary and envelopes.

This is an example of a folder filled up with the cards, stationary and envelopes.

PREPARE STICKERS, PENS AND STAMPS

Open up the packages of stickers and pen(s) that you purchased and put them all into the zipper pocket. Also, if using, put the stamps in the zippered pocket. Stamps may not be something you wish to include, depending on the child’s age. Most of the time, I elect to leave them out and/or give them to the child’s parent.

An assortment of stickers, which do not have to match the “theme” of the letter writing binder.

The zippered pouch will store the pen and the stickers, as well as the return address labels and stamps (below, if using).

PRINT RETURN ADDRESS LABELS

This step is optional, but does make a really exciting touch for the child who receives the binder. If you have a printer and blank sheets of return address labels, along with word processing software, you can easily prepare a sheet of labels to insert into the zippered pouch of the letter writing binder. I purchase store-brand return address labels that are similar to Avery 5267 labels and then follow the instructions in my word processing software to prepare and print the labels. With a color printer and/or clip art, you can really jazz up the labels for the child.

DECORATE THE BINDER

Use a piece of plain-colored or colored cardstock to match the “theme”, markers and themed stickers to decorate a cover page that you will slip inside the clear sleeve of the binder cover. Also, decorate a strip of cardstock to fit in the spine of the binder.

With all the inexpensive stickers out there, you are sure to find something fun to match the interests of the child who receives a letter writing binder from you.

A. was the first of our kids to receive a letter writing binder. At the time, she loved hearts and anything purple or pink. I used pink die-cut hearts to decorate the cover of her binder.

B. was really into Strawberry Shortcake when I made her letter writing binder. The stickers made the cover really cute!

And our C. is so into Buzz Light Year, so that’s what made sense for a theme for his binder, which I just created last month. He’s really enjoying writing out all his thank you cards for the nice birthday gifts he received from loved ones.