pen pal for kids?

[davemchine]

My daughter has asked if she can have a pen pal. There appear to be services that will match up kids but I have reservations. Has anyone here matched up their kids with pen pals? I would appreciate some advice.

[dmann]

Is she school age? Often there are "sister-school" programs and her teacher/principal can get you started. If you are involved with a church or synogogue and/or youth organization such as scouting, 4H etc, they sometimes do these things, too.

DM

[Paul F.]

Not quite a "pen pal" program, but sort of a "short attention span postcard exchange" -
www.postcrossing.com

Been sending/receiving a few myself... it's fun, but may not be what she's looking for.

[Ombligo]

Is there a distant relative her age? A cousin perhaps?

Just prepare her for disappointment - when the novelty wears off in a month or two, the cards quit showing up and someone gets hurt feelings.

[cbelt3]

MRF penpal list ? Perhaps Little z needs a penpal ? (My kids are in their late teens and early 20's... so Snapchat is about their speed..)

[rz]

I had a penpal when I was about 12. Our school arranged it. We exchanged maybe half a dozen letters before the novelty wore off.

[davemchine]

Thanks for the good advice. I agree it will most likely be a short lived exchange but I try to help her do new and interesting things when I can. Based on the advice here I've contacted her school to see if they could arrange a pen pal with a sister school. If that doesn't work out I'll contact our church.