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Family Mailboxes

Kids love getting mail and as long as the mail isn't bills, parents love mail too. Add some zip to your family communications by creating a family mailbox. Great for leaving messages of encouragement, love, and support for fellow family members. It's also a great way for kids to "vent" and get some things that may be troubling them and are unable to express in words off their chest. A great activity for family nights. All of the supplies for this activity can be found at your local hardware and craft store or at Oriental Trading.

Supplies

Steel or tin mailbox. You can purchase a regular steel mailbox at your local hardware store for around $10 or the smaller tin mailboxes from Oriental Trading.

Wood cut out shapes (you can find these at your local craft store) or wood shaped frames from Oriental Trading. You will need one for each member of the family.

Acrylic Paints - Don't use Tempera paint. It won't stick to the steel and tin.

Mini Wood Clothes Pins

Glue

Paint Brushes

Markers and Pencil

Individual Family Photo's (optional)

Directions

Begin by having every family member choose a wood cut out shape or frame. After they have chosen, let them decorate them with paint, markers, and photographs. If more than one person has chosen the same shape be sure to write their names on them.

Next using the pencil, pencil in the design for the mailbox, making sure to get everyone's input and thoughts.

Once the mailbox design is penciled in, paint over it with the acrylic paints. More than one coat may be necessary. Let dry overnight.

After the wood cut outs have completely dried, glue a small wooden clothes pin to the back.

Place the mailbox in a central location and begin leaving mail for each other. When leaving mail for a particular person in the family raise the flag and clip on their wood cut out. This gives notice that someone has mail!

This is a great and fun way to give the kids' allowances, your family newsletter, birthday cards, and small surprises. Don't forget to encourage your kids to use the mailbox when something is troubling them. Kids often have difficulty expressing themselves verbally and would feel more comfortable writing it down.