There is something lovely about a letter with your name on it. The envelope, the careful unfolding, the little drawing tucked inside …

For children, writing a letter can be a fun adventure. It might be a note to Grandma, a thank-you for a birthday gift or a very important message from a mouse to a fairy. A few words, a picture and a little imagination are all it takes.

At Send A Toy, we love simple activities that leave room for children to make something their own. Here are some easy ways to turn a blank page into a happy piece of post.

Six lovely reasons to write a letter

1. Send a little everyday news. Tell a grandparent or relative about a new game, something funny the dog did or the best part of the weekend. Ordinary details can make the nicest letters.
2. Say a thoughtful thank-you. Write about how a gift has been played with, or thank someone for a lovely outing. “I built a house for my dinosaurs” feels more personal than simply naming the present.
3. Post a pocket-sized adventure. Turn a drawing into a postcard. Draw the beach, the garden or an imaginary island on one side; write a few lines on the other.
4. Make a friend smile. Share a joke, describe a favourite game or suggest something to play together next time. Finish with a question to give them an easy way to reply.
5. Open an imaginary post office. Write to a teddy, a woodland mouse or a storybook character. What would a bear want to know? Where would a fairy keep her letters?
6. Write to your future self. Record favourite foods, books, games and dreams. Put the letter away with a date to open it together, perhaps on the next birthday.

What goes into a little letter?

Keep the shape simple: a greeting, a little news, a question and a goodbye. Add the date at the top if you would like to keep the letter as a memento. A drawing can tell part of the story, too.

For younger children, invite them to draw or tell you what they want to say while you write it down. Beginning writers might choose just one sentence. Confident writers can add a story, a riddle or a list of questions. There is no need to fill the page.

Give the envelope a little personality

Draw a tiny mouse in the corner, add a border of stars or tuck in a paper bookmark. For pretend post, children can design their own stamps. For real post, ask a grown-up to help with the address and correct postage, keeping the address clear and easy to read.

A letter does not have to travel far to be special. Leave one on a family member's pillow, pop one beside a breakfast bowl or deliver it to a teddy's chair.

Start with one little hello

Choose someone, pick a piece of paper and ask, “What would you like to tell them?” A few heartfelt words are plenty. You might even begin a little family tradition: a Sunday postcard, a birthday thank-you or a note whenever someone needs a smile.

Small letters. Lovely connections. Something to keep.