My Kids Want Pen Pals! Anyone Interested?

Updated on May 26, 2011
J.P. asks from Skokie, IL
6 answers

Hi Ladies-

My children have recently read a chapter book about children who have pen pals. Well..... this now sounds so appealing to them. So... I said that maybe I should request pen pals on Mamapedia. That was a few days ago and they keep reminding me that they really want to do this and that I should of already asked you guys! (My son has already taken it upon himself to write a practice pen pal letter.... so cute!)

I have a daughter and a son who are both in third grade. (They are nine years old.)

Here is what they've requested regarding their future pen pals:
*same gender as they are. So I need one boy pen pal for my son and a girl pen pal for my daughter.
*they would like them to be in third grade like them but said it's okay if he/she is in 2nd or 4th grade.
*they would prefer a state that doesn't border us. We're in Illinois and i think they think it would be more interesting to learn about other kids from far away states or even another country.

They don't want to email but rather do it the old fashion way. (well.... at least in the begining.) They feel it would be so much fun to anticipate getting letters and photos in the mailbox from other kids.

On a side note, why does the page on Mamapedia jump around after you get to about this point in typing? Is it to encourage you to stop typing? It seems to do that. So it's difficult to type anymore.

I hope to hear from you! My kids would love to send a letter to their new pen pals!

Thanks!

J.

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So What Happened?

Thanks ladies!! My kids came home from school and were glad to see your posts. I already sent you private messages to get the letters started. I appreciate the first two comments about being leary/skeptical about asking for pen pals via the internet. (I actually thought about that after I typed it and went out to Walmart.) However, when I came home, I saw some responses that said they might be interested. So.... I did my "homework" and the moms who are going to give this a try have been posting for some time now on Mamapedia and they sure sound like who they say they are. (So... I am going to give it a try and give them my address.)
My daughter has two potential pen pals now. My son has one potential pen pal from this site. So.... you know what that means...... he wants to have two as well. So we are open to getting one more response from a mom with a son around his age. (9)

Thanks so much!

J.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

I was also thinking of you bringing this up to their teacher. I had a pen pal from school also and my teacher arranged the entire thing, they were students of someone she knew in a far away state. I know you posted this with good intention, but I dont think this is the forum for it. While its mostly 'mamas' I wouldnt trust the safety of who might contact you...I dont know, Im always so leery of 'preditors' and you have to remember they will fake it to get to know your kids or about your family until they can make a move...Im sorry.

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.T.

answers from Dallas on

I don't have kids your kids age, but I was thinking that maybe you can bring this up with their teacher and it can be a school project. Maybe the teacher can find another school in another state or another english speaking country that they can write too. Or maybe check your local children's hospital and see if they have a program.

2 moms found this helpful

L.U.

answers from Seattle on

J. - I have a son who is in 2nd grade, he is 8 1/2. While he has never asked about pen pals he may be interested. Who doesn't like to get mail?! We live in Washington State, so it may take some time for letters to go back and forth, but I am sure our state is QUITE different than yours! :) You can PM me if you are interested and I will talk to my son when he gets home from school.
L.

1 mom found this helpful

A.G.

answers from Houston on

My daughter just turned 8 and she loves getting and sending mail, plus i am trying to get her to be more interested in reading and writing. We arent very far from you though. Houston Texas isnt very exotic. P.M. me if you want to try this out.

very cute idea btw

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.D.

answers from Boca Raton on

Hi J., My daughter is in 3rd grade and will be 9 this summer....We live in Florida so that might be fun for your daughter to find out about all the neat things we have to do here (I know it's very cold there and it is 78 here today)...PM me if you are interested and I know my daughter will LOVE the idea.... have a great afternoon!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.R.

answers from Seattle on

Amazing Kids! PenPals (http://amazing-kids.org/penpals) is a safe, literacy-basedd traditional letter writing pen pals program. Since 2005, we have successfully matched over 5,000 children with pen pals from around the world. Check out our information page on our website and please feel free to contact with any questions. We'd love to help your children find new pen pal friends! :-)

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