How to Make Greeting Cards for Ill Children

Handmade cards are a good way to let sick children know you are thinking about them.

No one likes being sick, and it's especially difficult for children who are recovering at home or in the hospital. Stores are filled with options for those wishing to purchase a get-well card, but a handmade card will stand out for the time taken to create it.

Things You'll Need

• Card stock, construction paper or computer paper
• Glitter, stickers or magazine cut-outs
• Scissors
• Glue
• Envelope

Instructions

1. Decide on your theme. If you are creating a card for a toddler, bright colors and cute animals are good choices. For an older child, consider a popular cartoon or movie character. If you are feeling especially creative, draw out a maze or a word find, or copy one from a puzzle book.

2. Select the materials for your card with the idea that most children aren't going to care how polished or professional a card looks. Use construction paper, card stock or even a plain piece of computer paper folded in half.

3. Embellish your card with glitter, stickers or magazine cut-outs. Use a stencil to make the shape you want, brush on a thin layer of glue and then sprinkle on the glitter.

4. Word your greeting carefully. According to the My Expression website, if the child is dealing with a common ailment, such as chicken pox, it's all right to send a card with a silly message that refers to recovery. If the child is suffering from something serious or terminal, make the card cheerful and uplifting, but don't refer to the illness or mention "get well."

5. Enclose your card in a decorated envelope to add a final personal touch. Purchase specially shaped envelopes at a shipping store or create one of your own.

Tips & Warnings

• There are many programs where you can donate handmade cards to children who are in hospitals. One of these organizations is Pages for Children, a nonprofit group that collects books and birthday and holiday cards for hospitalized children.

References

• My Expression: Greeting Card Ettiquette for Children

Resources

• Pages for Children: Donate Cards to Sick Children