Even as a spouse, military life is hard. And one of the worst parts is living far away from family, especially the little ones.
I swear my niece and nephews have grown a foot every time we go home. I hate missing out on their childhoods. However, I try to stay an active part of their lives, even from miles away, by FaceTiming regularly and sending them things in the mail.
Care packages aren’t just for deployed soldiers and college students – kids love them too! I love making care packages for my niece and nephews! I look for any reason to send them one, but they can always expect a special one each year on their birthdays.
Here is how to make an awesome kids’ birthday care package:
How to Make a Kids Birthday Care Package
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
- any birthday gifts you bought
- birthday card
- balloons
- small gifts/money to fit inside balloons
- safety pin
- tag or index card
- marker
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Step 2: Wrap!
First, wrap up the gifts that you bought.
You don’t necessarily need gifts for this care package, you could always make enough balloons to fill the whole box. I usually buy one or two gifts to send, in addition to the goodies that I put inside the balloons.
Next, wrap the inside of the box that you are shipping. Check out this tutorial, on how to wrap the inside of a box.
Step 3: Fill the Balloons
The balloons are what make this package special!
My niece loves popping each balloon and pulling out the treat inside. What you put inside the balloons depends on how old your recipient is.
Some ideas:
- money
- candy
- jewelry
- little dinosaurs
- key chains
- matchbox cars
- small fidget toys
- bouncy ball
- little squishies
- shopkins
- chapstick/lipstick
- small eyeshadows
Step 4: Blow Up & Tie Balloons
After you have filled the balloons, partially blow them up and tie them.
Make sure you don’t blow them up too big or they won’t all fit in the box. But, you also want to make sure there is enough air in them that they don’t go flat during their trip through the mail. (It sounds complicated, but don’t overthink it.)
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Step 5: Make ‘Pop Us’ Card
Using an index card or a blank gift tag make an instruction card, by writing ‘Pop Us!’ on it with a marker.
You can also dress up the card with a ribbon and stickers if you choose. Then tape a safety pin to the card.
Step 6: Fill the Box
After you have everything ready, put it in the box.
I put the wrapped gifts on the bottom, followed by the birthday card. Then I arrange the balloons over the gifts. The final touch is the ‘Pop Us!’ instruction card on top!
Step 7: Mail It!
Seal your package and put it in the mail! Then wait for the excited FaceTime call full of happy smiles once your favorite little ones get their awesome kids’ birthday care package!
You definitely scored cool aunt/uncle points for sending this package!
