Deck the Cards and Send Holiday Cheer
Help your little one learn about empathy and helping others by lighting up the season for kids in hospitals who can’t be home for the holidays. This caring card activity for the whole family can bring cheer and comfort to another child.
What They'll Learn
Empathy, helping, feelings
What You'll Need
- Paper, construction paper, or cardstock
- Crayons, markers, and/or colored pencils
- Any other art supplies you have at home such as stickers, stamps, glitter.
- Envelope
- Postage Stamp
Organizations to send to:
- Cards for Hospitalized Kids
- Send a Smile 4 Kids
- Or contact your nearest hospital or children’s hospital.
Before you begin:
Talk with your child about how some kids who don’t feel well may have to spend time in the hospital. You might explain what a hospital is or talk about how helping to cheer up a kid just like them is important year-round, not only during the holidays. Then, pick together a hospital or organization where you’ll send the finished cards.
Instructions
- Fold the paper or cardstock in half to create a card.
- Have your child decorate the front and inside with their art supplies. If your child needs ideas of what to draw, you might ask, “What makes you feel happy around the holidays?” For instance, if they like playing in the snow, encourage them to draw it on their card.
- Help your child write kind, encouraging words or holiday messaging, like “Happy Holidays!” or “Feel better soon!”
- Put the card in the envelope, and seal it.
- Help your child address and put a postage stamp on the envelope.
- Take it to the mailbox, and let your child drop it in!
Or, use our Winter Card Kit activity!
Parent Tip
- If you’re choosing a local hospital or organization, check to see if they have rules about messaging. For example, some hospitals will ask not to put your name on the card.
- If kids want to include a holiday message, instead of referring to specific holidays, use “Happy Holidays” or other inclusive festive phrasing.
- While you’re creating the card, try talking to your child about feelings.
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New content added weekly
Accessible on multiple devices
Downloadable books & games for offline play