Writing letters to a pen pal is a fantastic way for kids to connect with people worldwide while also improving their writing skills and creativity.
But, let’s face it, making their letters stand out can be a real challenge.
That’s why we’ve put together this guide with 20 creative ideas to make your child’s letters to their pen pal stand out.
Read more: 20 Creative Ways to Make Your Child’s Pen Pal Letters Stand OutFrom unique stationery to writing in the form of a story or poem, you’ll find plenty of inspiration here to help your child make their letters more exciting and engaging for their pen pal.
Table of Contents
- 1. Use Unique Stationery
- 2. Incorporate Illustrations or Drawings
- 3. Write in the Form of a Story or Poem
- 4. Include Hand-Made Crafts or Souvenirs
- 5. Use Creative Fonts and Layout
- 6. Include A Homemade Recipe Or Craft Tutorial
- 7. Include Photographs or Mementos
- 8. Write as a Diary Entry or Letter to a Fictional Character
- 9. Use Descriptive Language and Phrases
- 10. Write as a News Article or Play
- 11. Be Creative with Format, like a Comic Strip or Map
- 12. Create a Scrapbook of Photos and Drawings
- 13. Write in Style with a Fountain Pen
- 14. Include a Map of Your Town or City
- 15. Include a Gift or Souvenir from Your Area
- 16. Include a Photo of Your Family or Friends
- 17. Write in the Language of Your Pen Pal
- 18. Include a Personalized Postcard or Greeting Card
- 19. Add a Special Doodle or Drawing
- 20. Include a List of Favorite Things or Fun Facts
- 21. Conclusion
1. Use Unique Stationery
When making your child’s letters stand out, using unique stationery is a great place to start.
Using different colors and textures of paper and various pens and pencils is a great place to start.
It can help make the letter-writing process more fun and exciting for them and make their letters more visually appealing to their pen pal.
Another idea is to have them create their stationery using colored pencils or markers to decorate plain paper.
2. Incorporate Illustrations or Drawings
Another creative way to make your child’s letters stand out is to have them incorporate illustrations or drawings.
Encourage them to use their artistic skills to create drawings or illustrations that relate to the content of their letter.
This can help make their letter more engaging and exciting for their pen pal and make it more fun for your child to write.
3. Write in the Form of a Story or Poem
Try and persuade your child to think outside of the box regarding letter writing. One creative way to do this is to have them write their letter as a story or poem.
This can help make letter writing more fun and interesting for them and make their notes more unique and memorable for their pen pal.
4. Include Hand-Made Crafts or Souvenirs
Including hand-made crafts or souvenirs with their letters is another great way of adding a personal touch.
It can be anything from a drawing they made, a small sculpture, or even a small item from their hometown or region.
5. Use Creative Fonts and Layout
Creative fonts and layouts are another fantastic way to add zing to their letters.
Your child could experiment with different font styles, sizes, and colors to help to make their letters more visually appealing and engaging for their pen pal.
Also, don’t forget a little bit of gentle persuasion to use proper margins and spacing and ensure their handwriting is legible.
6. Include A Homemade Recipe Or Craft Tutorial
Another creative way to make your child’s letters stand out is by including a homemade recipe or craft tutorial for their pen pal to try.
Encourage your child to share one of their favorite recipes or a craft project they’ve been working on and include detailed instructions for their pen pal to follow.
Not only will this add a personal touch to their letters, but it will also allow their pen pal to try something new and potentially even bond over shared interests in cooking or crafting.
Plus, it’s a great way for your child to showcase their skills and talents uniquely.
It’s a win-win situation for both your child and their pen pal.
7. Include Photographs or Mementos
Sending photographs or other mementos with the letter is a great way to make your child’s letter stand out and add a personal touch to their correspondence.
Encourage your child to take photographs of their surroundings, family, or pets and include them with their letter.
This makes the letter more interesting and engaging and helps give their pen pal a sense of their life.
8. Write as a Diary Entry or Letter to a Fictional Character
Your child can get their creative juices flowing with their letter writing by writing as a diary entry or a note to a fictional character.
This can make letter writing more fun and engaging.
For example, they can write a letter to Harry Potter or a diary entry as if they were a character in a book.
It will help to improve their writing skills and allows them to express their imagination and creativity.
9. Use Descriptive Language and Phrases
Using descriptive words, your child can paint a picture in their pen pal’s mind and make their letters more vivid.
For example, instead of saying, “I went to the beach,” your child can say, “I walked along the powdery white sand and felt the cool ocean breeze against my face.”
Additionally, please encourage your child to use a thesaurus or dictionary to find new words in their letters.
This helps to improve their writing skills and expands their vocabulary.
10. Write as a News Article or Play
Another fun twist is to bring out the budding journalist in your child and ask them to write a letter to their pen pal as a news article or play.
Complete with headlines, quotes, and a captivating lead.
Not only will this add a unique and engaging element to their letters, but it will also help them to hone their writing skills and imagination.
And who knows, they may even inspire their pen pal to respond in kind!
11. Be Creative with Format, like a Comic Strip or Map
Another way to encourage your child to think outside the box is to have them write a letter as a comic strip or a map.
This will help make the letter-writing process more fun and interesting for them and help them develop their creativity and visual thinking skills.
And who knows, their pen pal might just be impressed by the unique format and respond with a letter of their own!
Create a Scrapbook of Photos and Drawings
12. Create a Scrapbook of Photos and Drawings
Incorporating a scrapbook of colorful photos and drawings into your child’s letter to their pen pal is an excellent way to make their letter stand out.
Not only does it add a personal touch to the letter, but it also provides a visual representation of your child’s life and experiences.
Encourage your child to be creative with their scrapbook by using different colors, patterns, and textures to make them more memorable for their pen pal.
13. Write in Style with a Fountain Pen
A fountain pen is a great way to make your child’s letters stand out. The smooth flow of ink and the elegant script created by a fountain pen adds a touch of sophistication to their letters.
Encourage your child to experiment with different ink colors and to practice their handwriting with the fountain pen.
Not only will it make their letters more visually appealing, but it will also help to improve their handwriting skills.
Include a Map of Your Town or City
14. Include a Map of Your Town or City
Including a map of your town or city in your child’s letter is a great way to give their pen pal a better understanding of where they live.
Your child could highlight their home, school, and other significant places on the map. It will give their pen pal a better understanding of their surroundings and make the letter more interesting.
15. Include a Gift or Souvenir from Your Area
Another way to make your child’s letter stand out is by including a small gift or souvenir from your area.
It can be something as simple as a postcard or keychain, but it will give their pen pal a tangible reminder of your child and their home.
16. Include a Photo of Your Family or Friends
Including a photograph of your family or a group of friends in your child’s letter is an excellent way to make the letter more personal and engaging for their pen pal.
Don’t forget to include a short note or caption with the photograph, explaining who is in the picture and what they were doing.
17. Write in the Language of Your Pen Pal
Writing a letter to a pen pal in their native language can be a great way to show them that you are genuinely interested in getting to know them and their culture.
It can also be an excellent opportunity for your child to practice a foreign language they may be learning in school.
Check out our Guide 15 Ways a Pen Pal Can Help You Learn a New Language.
Before writing the letter, help your child to research common phrases and vocabulary in the language of their pen pal, and encourage them to use a dictionary or online translation tools for assistance.
Your child will make a lasting impression by putting in the effort to write in their pen pal’s language.
Include a Personalized Postcard or Greeting Card
18. Include a Personalized Postcard or Greeting Card
Including a personalized postcard or greeting card with your child’s letter can add a personal touch and make their letter stand out.
Your child could get creative and design their postcard or card, whether hand-drawn or created using digital tools.
They could also include a special message or quote that is meaningful to them.
Add a Special Doodle or Drawing
19. Add a Special Doodle or Drawing
Adding a special doodle or drawing to accompany the letter can make it more visually attractive and add a personal touch.
Ask your child to get creative and to think about what would be most meaningful or enjoyable to their pen pal.
They could illustrate a scene from their hometown, draw a portrait of themselves or their family, or create a cartoon or comic strip.
It can be a great way to add an extra layer of interest and personality to the letter.
Include a List of Favorite Things or Fun Facts About Your Hometown
20. Include a List of Favorite Things or Fun Facts
Including a list of your favorite things or fun facts about your hometown can be a great way to introduce your child’s pen pal to their hometown and culture.
21. Conclusion
In summary, there are numerous ways to make your child’s letters to their pen pal stand out and truly capture their attention.
Dont foget to check out our guide 10 Top Tips For Helping Your Child Write Letters To Their Pen Pal
By encouraging unique stationery and artistic elements, such as illustrations or drawings, and encouraging them to think outside the box with story or poem format, their letters will be visually appealing and memorable.
Personal touches, such as hand-made crafts or souvenirs, creative fonts and layouts, and even writing in a different language, will add a special touch to their letters.
And by incorporating photographs, mementos, writing in a diary entry or letter to a fictional character, and using descriptive language, your child will be able to express their creativity and imagination fully.
With these tips and ideas, your child’s letters will undoubtedly stand out and leave a lasting impression on their pen pal.
You may also be interested in Encouraging Your Child to Write to Their Pen Pal: Tips and Tricks.