How to Make a Letterbox

Letterboxing is a rapidly growing outdoor activity. Following clues and searching for hidden booty evokes the feel of a treasure hunt – with a modern day twist. Letterboxes vary in size, shape and, well, box. No matter the type, each letterbox will have a couple of main components: container, logbook, stamp and inkpad. Making a letterbox is as easy or difficult as any one person wants to make it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Waterproof container
• Waterproof zipper bag
• Stamp or stamp making materials
• Small notepad or journal with unlined pages
• Inkpad
• Pen or pencil

1. Choose a location for the letterbox. For best results, it should be accessible by the public and no more than moderately difficult to get to.
2. Make the box. For a first letterbox, aim for larger than a sandwich keeper, but smaller than a breadbox. Plastic shoeboxes available in any discount store are a great choice. Remove labels and glue residue. Decorate from the inside if desired. Give adequate time for any decorating jobs to dry thoroughly.
3. Make or purchase a blank, unlined notepad or journal for a logbook. If purchasing, skip to Step 4. To make a logbook, bind several unlined pages together with stitches, glue, staples or other fastener. Use paperboard or cardstock for the front and back cover.
4. Purchase or make a personal stamp. If purchasing, skip to Step 5. If making the stamp, purchase stamp making supplies from a craft or hobby store and carve out a pleasing design. Test the stamp a few times, making adjustments as needed or desired.
5. Choose and purchase an inkpad and pen or pencil. Click pens without caps and mechanical pencils and spare leads are better choices that pens with caps and wooden pencils.
6. Fill the waterproof zipper bag with the logbook, stamp, inkpad and writing supplies. Seal tightly and place inside the letterbox.
7. Hide the letterbox in the selected location. Record clues and directions to the box’s hiding place and have someone else test them. Post the clues and instructions online at an online letterboxing community. Periodically check on the box to see if it is being visited.

Tips & Warnings

• If you haven’t already, make your letterboxing kit with a logbook, personal stamp and pen or pencil. Record your letterbox in your personal logbook.
• Don’t decorate the outside of a letterbox. Exposure to the elements will degrade paint or notions.
• To prevent loss, attach a pen or pencil to the logbook with ribbon or a chain.