We have a sometimes-unused corner in our project room, aka schoolroom. I like to fill this space with creative play centers- a florist shop, an ice cream shop (thanks to my friend Grace who brought over all the stuff from the ice cream shop that SHE made), an arts-and-crafts area with DIY supplies for little kids, a valentine-making center, the list goes on...
One of the perennial favorites is the mail center. I assemble the supplies, and they go to town. A center like this takes some prep work, although not too much time to assemble. It can also be left up for weeks before the kids get tired of it, and kids of all ages enjoy it. Everyone from the 1 year old to the big 2nd grader spends plenty of time in there.
First necessary item is a table/place for the kids to 'work'. You don't necessarily need chairs, as postal workers are up on their feet- and no chairs saves space for more kids to get in there. I like to set our table up with blank envelopes, envelopes I collect from junk mail, paper for writing letters, postcards, pens, pencils, squarish stickers to use as stamps, stamps and an ink pad for 'cancelling' the mail as it comes through, a scale and cash register for customers who may happen through to mail stuff. Also fun would be little boxes wrapped up to mail, padded envelopes, etc.
* A great activity for bigger kids, here, would be to make a basket full of envelopes and a how-to on addressing envelopes, writing a friendly letter with appropriate headings, etc...
This is our mail sorter. Most of the time they just stick the letters, etc. in there randomly, but if you wanted to make mailboxes for family members, it would be easy to affix photos of your family on the individual slots, make a letter, color, number sorting center (tape the colors/numbers/letters on pieces of mail with packing tape and make a slot for each on the sorter). If you don't have one of these, I was thinking cereal boxes with the flaps cut off and taped together would make a good, cheap DIY version. I set this sorter on a small table (right now it's on our piano bench) so it's the right height for little people to stand up and sort the mail.
This is similar to the one I have, although a bit smaller, it looks like. Also much cheaper, but I bought mine years ago when I was teaching school to use as cubbies for students' papers to take home. This would be a great find at a yard sale or thrift store!
I found this really great wood mailbox, made by Melissa and Doug, a few years ago. It's a set that comes with wood letters, postcards, and stamps that stick on with velcro. It also has a key to open the mailbox- fun! We use it with its intended items, but also as a 'receiving' mailbox in our mail center for everyone to put their mail- and then they get the fun of sorting it, stamping it, and placing it in the appropriate mailboxes. Amazon sells this set! We bought ours at least 5 years ago...and this is actually way cheaper than what I paid at the fancy schmancy teacher store.
Finally, a few supplies to gather around the house:
-envelopes/address labels/little pads of paper out of junk mail. This is the one time in your life that junk mail could be described as 'an awesome resource'.
-Tape dispenser/stapler/pens/pencils/stamps/stamp pad/square stickers to use as 'stamps'.
-some sort of bag to use as a mail carrier's satchel.
-costumes would be fun here! some hats, maybe a blue vest or two. I haven't ever done costumes, but I'm sure my kids would love it.
Happy Stamping!
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