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Getting those Valentine cards to school can be unsettling to a child. They are afraid they might lose them or tear them before they are able to get them delivered.

Getting mail is a high point of a child’s life also. When they get mail they feel like a million bucks no matter what the mail might be. Let your children make their own mailbox card carrier to take those Valentines to and home from school. It’s fun and it’s easy. Here’s how.

What You’ll Need

* Cardboard box
* White paper
* Scissors
* Construction paper
* Stencils
* Glue stick
* Masking tape
* Paper clip

Instructions

Start with just a plain cardboard box. It doesn’t have to be fancy at all. Cut out one end of the box. Be sure it’s the end so they can reach into the box just like a mailbox. Have the children cover their box with the white paper. They can bring it to a peak at the top if they like. Cut the two smaller flaps of the box completely off. Bring the larger flaps up so the peak and tape them together with the masking tape. The masking tape will be covered so you can tape however it is best for your child to keep the flaps at an angle while they cover their box.

Use the white paper to completely cover the box. The only area that won’t be covered is the open end. Leave that open to make the mailbox door. Glue the paper to the box. Now they can make the mailbox door.

Take the flaps that you cut away and cover it with white paper. Now attach it with glue to the opening in the box. When the glue has dried pull the flap up and attach it to the top of the peak with a paper clip. It may not come all the way to the top depending on the size of the flap but if not that’s ok. Have you ever seen a mailbox door that wasn’t a little off center?

Now they can set out to decorate their box. Using construction paper and the stencils they can cut out hearts, X’s and O’s, arrows or even letters to apply a saying to the mailbox.

Now they have their own mailbox card carrier. Place their Valentines inside so they make it to school with them in one piece. Also you might want to sneak a piece of candy inside. Everybody likes a good surprise in their mailbox once in awhile.

Submitted by Easter Fun for Kids