It has been said that stamp collecting is a hobby for all age groups. While it is not an obvious hobby for kids, if set up properly, a stamp collection can be an engaging hobby that will last a lifetime. It therefore helps to understand how to make stamp collecting for kids a fun hobby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To get kids started stamp collecting, the first step is to spark an interest in the child. That is best accomplished by showing the child why stamps are both fascinating and fun to collect. You must, however, have access to the right tools and resources to have a chance at convincing your child.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Figuring out what tools you will need depends on the type of stamps your child wants to collect. That is the first step to building an interest that lasts longer than just a passing fad. The following is a guide to find the tools and resources you\u2019ll need to help your child get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There was a time when kids were not inundated with electronics and social media<\/strong>. They pursued hobbies like stamp collecting and often it was handed down to them from a parent or grandparent. Getting kids interested in hobbies like that was easy for three reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fast forward to today. Each of those points above have changed<\/strong> dramatically. You could argue the change may be a good or bad thing, but the world today is undoubtedly different to how it was 10, 20 and 30+ years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kids are bombarded with online information and social media<\/strong> from the time they wake up until they go to bed. They are in almost constant contact with friends, family, and all too often, total strangers. This constant shift from person to person and trend to trend means there are always things fighting for kids\u2019 attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With that as a background, stamp collecting is a challenge for just about every person under the age of 35. It requires a lot of patience and research<\/strong>, something younger people nowadays can struggle with. Plus, stamps do not move, explode, shoot anything or do anything exciting \u2013 how boring<\/em>! But while video games have risen to the top of hobby popularity lists, that\u2019s not the only big change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The USPS is a shell of what it used to be, even as recently as 2015. Whereas kids used to see mail every day, it is possible these days to never see mail and thus never see what stamps were used on the mail. As the USPS has been gradually replaced by online communications and private delivery services<\/strong>, stamps have started to become obsolete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are several reasons the USPS is no longer a central part of everyone\u2019s life<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each of these reasons have eaten into the impact the USPS can make. A result of that is far fewer stamps floating around and far fewer young people becoming interested in stamp collecting<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because of all the above considerations, stamp collecting is a hobby most kids just do not get. Many<\/strong> kids today are more likely to have seen more Pok\u00e9mon cards over their lifetimes than they are to have seen postage stamps<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In that environment, it is up to the stamp enthusiast to try to spark an interest in the child<\/strong> as well as help them find the ability to focus on stamps sufficiently to build a collection they can be proud of. Added to that is the fact that not many kids understand the impact stamps played in US history or in expanding the communications options for people worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What that means is that your approach to spur an interest in stamp collecting needs to be a little different<\/strong> than you would use to build interest in, say, a video game. You must show the child why stamp collecting is fun and interesting and why it is important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You need to employ tactics that help the child relate to stamps<\/strong>. Here are a few suggestions to spur an interest in your child for stamp collecting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unless your child is a bookworm, trying to sell stamp collecting on educational terms likely will not build a lot of momentum in your favor. You need to sell it as an adventure<\/strong> and the way to do that is to show them why stamps are interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One suggestion is to make it a game<\/strong>. Challenge your child to collect an entire set of stamps or focus only on collecting commemorative stamps at first. Spend time with your child searching online for stamps that are interesting to your child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another suggestion is to focus on the types of stamps that run parallel to the interests your child<\/strong> has in other areas. For example, if your kid loves sports and the Olympics, start with stamps that highlight Olympic games, competitors, events and people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One idea is to start them off with the<\/strong> commemorative stamps<\/strong> that memorialize the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York and the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California. Both are significant cultural markers in America for events that happened in both games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 1980 Winter Olympics<\/strong> are remembered for the Miracle on Ice when the amateur players of the USA defeated the USSR, which was considered the best hockey team in the world. The 1984 Summer Olympics are remembered for Mary Lou Retton and her perfect 10 in the gymnastics vault event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both are interesting, culturally and historically, and in how they defined the USA at the time<\/strong>. Starting off with them if your child likes the Olympics is a perfect \u201cin\u201d to stamp collecting. But this is just one example. There are thousands of stamp themes<\/strong> issued over the years. A short list includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are all<\/strong> stamp themes sponsored by the<\/strong> United States Postal Service<\/strong>. If you expand your reach to international stamps, the topics grow into the thousands. The key is to find one that piques your child\u2019s interest by playing on what they already like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like any other hobby, stamp collecting has \u201ctools of the trade<\/strong>.\u201d These tools are critical to being able to preserve, treat and present stamps properly. The right tools and knowing how to use them also makes it easier to show your child how to collect stamps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One option you have is to purchase a kids stamp collecting starter kit<\/strong>. These are sold online and at retail stores. In the kit are the tools you and your child will need to get started on their stamp collection. Starter kit items also include stamp directories, catalogs, and educational worksheets to help both of you learn about stamps and stamp collecting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kid\u2019s stamp collecting starter kits include<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n A lot of these kits are fairly inexpensive<\/strong>. In many cases, the children\u2019s starter kits are sold at cost to the producer to promote stamp collecting to potential new collectors. The downside to a children\u2019s starter kit is that the tools are not always the best quality and the supplies provided are a bare minimum to control costs to retailers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Making your own DIY starter kit is also an option<\/strong> although it will be more expensive. The upside is that you can tailor your package to meet your child\u2019s stamp collecting needs. You can also get higher quality tools that will last several years if they are properly cared for. Additionally, a DIY kit will have more supplies than an organizationally sponsored starter kit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The cost will run you about double that of a retail kit if you go with the least expensive items on the list. By spending more, however, you will get tools, equipment and supplies that can create a very attractive and interesting stamp collection<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At a minimum, you need to have<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\nUnderstanding The Lay Of The Land<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Environment Today<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Social Media And Attention Spans<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The USPS Is Becoming Irrelevant<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
How That Affects Stamp Collecting For Kids<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Stamp Collecting For Kids<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Grab Your Child\u2019s Interest<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Focus On What They Like<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Children\u2019s Stamp Collecting Starter Kit<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Starter Kit Items<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
DIY Kits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n