Blog > Activities

How to Get a Penpal: Make Having a Penpal Easier - Find One Now for Your Kids!

How to Get a Penpal: Make Having a Penpal Easier - Find One Now for Your Kids!

Find a penpal online.

Well, first, you may need a few things: pens, paper, stickers or glitter, photographs, writing paper, and somebody to write to!

As a nanny or governess, you are probably always looking for more ways to keep your charges busy, entertained and away from the dreaded screens. Writing letters to a pen pal may seem old fashioned, but it really can be an exciting venture for young kids. As well as being brilliant fun, a letter to a pen friend is a wonderful way for your charges to get creative, to improve their reading and handwriting skills, and to practise if they are learning a new language.

As well as the inherent excitement which comes with receiving, opening and reading a letter (as long as it’s not a bill), writing letters to pen friends can be rewarding in the long term. A good pen pal can be a friend for life; perhaps one day your charge will be able to see his or her pen pal in their native country. So help them take the first step in what could be a beautiful, budding friendship now!

 

First, you’ll need to inspire your charge(s) with the idea and explain the benefits of penpalling

This should be quite easy. Ask your charge: How would you feel about having a friend in a different country? Would you like to have a little boy or girl you can write to who will write back to you? You can send each other pictures, and tell each other about your lives. One day, you may even be able to visit each other! Hopefully, the child you care for will be enthusiastic about the idea already; now, lets get searching.

 

The next step is to find a pen pal.

The easiest way to do this these days is online. You can visit one great site to find a pen friend here. Of course, you will have to discuss with your charge whether they would prefer to write to a boy or a girl, to choose an appropriate age group (probably the same age as your charge works best), and to have an idea of which country your charge’s pen friend may be located in.


If you don’t want to follow the website route, think about who you know in foreign countries who may have connections with a school. You can also easily post in international nanny or teaching groups on Facebook, a surefire way to connect with thousands of teachers whose students would love to have somebody to write to. There are more useful tips on where to find a pen friend on this site, too.


Be aware of local postal conditions; letters in Europe will be easier to send and faster than those in countries with slower logistics, or smaller cities. You will also have to think about language. Of course, it is great to encourage cross-cultural interaction, and you should have no trouble finding kids living abroad who want to study English. On the other hand, if you are a language governess and your child is studying French, Spanish, German, or another language at school, we can view this as a perfect opportunity for them to build their own language skills too.

 

Benefits of Connecting with Kids from Other Cultures

We can't emphasise enough the value of connecting with people from different cultures. One of the best ways to achieve this is by finding a penpal, as it allows you to make friends online and connect with people internationally. This enriches your life and broadens your horizons, as you uncover the beauty of diversity, shared humanity, and the unique stories that shape our world.

Having a penpal enables you to dive into the heart of a culture, experiencing its nuances and traditions firsthand. By exchanging letters or messages with individuals from around the globe, you can obtain a deeper understanding of their customs, beliefs, and ways of life. This understanding, in turn, fosters empathy and compassion, strengthening the bonds that unite us all.

 

Enhancing Communication Skills

Developing and maintaining relationships with penpals can do wonders for your communication skills. It is an excellent opportunity to practice and improve your writing, as you learn to articulate your thoughts, ideas, and emotions more effectively. Moreover, having a penpal often involves learning or refining your skills in a foreign language, which can lead to increased fluency and confidence in your linguistic abilities.

In today's interconnected world, effective communication is more important than ever. By actively engaging with penpals, you'll not only become a better listener and writer but also develop the ability to express yourself in a clear and compelling manner.

 

Building Relationships

Creating meaningful connections with people across the globe is one of the most rewarding aspects of having a penpal. These relationships can enrich your life, providing support, encouragement, and companionship. As you share your experiences, interests, and dreams, you'll develop a bond that transcends geographical barriers and cultural differences.

These friendships can have a profound impact on your personal growth as you learn from one another and challenge your preconceived notions. So go ahead, take the plunge, and start making friends online. You never know—your penpal might just become a lifelong confidant and cherished friend.

 

Creating Memories

The art of letter writing has a certain charm that's often lost in the fast-paced world of modern technology. Exchanging handwritten letters with your penpal allows you to create lasting memories and treasured keepsakes. Every letter is a tangible expression of your thoughts and emotions, capturing a moment in time that can be revisited and cherished for years to come.

As you continue to connect with people internationally, you'll accumulate a collection of letters, postcards, and perhaps even small gifts that serve as a testament to the friendships you've forged. These items become priceless mementos, allowing you to look back on the journey you've shared with your penpals and the unique bonds you've formed.

 

Finally, having found a pen pal and noted their address, it’s time to get creative!

You and your charge can spend time writing, decorating your letter and choosing and printing appropriate photographs. Encourage your charge to write a fun letter with lots of colour and detail, depending on their age group, telling their new pen friend all about his/her life. If you are a nanny, manny or working in childcare (as opposed to a parent), make sure you check with your charge's parents that the photos are OK to send. Maybe your charge can show his/her new pen pal which arts and crafts they've been up to with their nanny! It may help to get them to think from their pen pal’s perspective to help them focus on writing a great letter. What sort of letter would they like to get back?

 


So there you have it! 3 easy steps to finding a pen pal! And just in case you’re not totally sold on the idea yet, you can find more about the benefits of having a pen friend here. Have fun!

 

Be sure to visit our blog page for more fun and exciting reads!