A care package doesn’t have to be big or expensive to be meaningful. When you match what you are sending to your grandchild’s personality, it’s sure to be a hit! Here are a few care package ideas—organized by personality—with easy ways to adapt them by age. Keep these ideas handy to use throughout the year!
In This Post
Sentimental / Thoughtful
Smiles through words and connection.
Core items
- Handwritten note or letter
- Photo or printed memory (I think I shared how we sent our granddaughter a printed photo, and she carried it around for months!)
- Bookmark, quote card, or blessing
Age tweaks
- Preschool: One short sentence + a photo (“This is us!”)
- Elementary: A letter with some questions they can use to answer back.
- Pre-Teen: A meaningful note or affirmation.
Smile moment: These kids often keep notes long after the package is opened.
The Creative One
Smiles through making and imagining
Core items
- Coloring or activity pages
- Crayons or colored pencils
- Stickers or washi tape
Age tweaks
- Preschool: Stickers that are simple for little hands to use + one simple coloring page
- Elementary: Activity pages or blank pages with prompts in your handwriting. “Draw something that makes you smile”
- Pre-Teen: A creative challenge with the accompanying supplies. (“Design a café menu” or “Create your own comic”) Menu covers are available on Amazon, as well as comic templates like this book: https://amzn.to/4qozAHG
The Silly / Playful One
Smiles through laughter
Core items
- Joke cards or riddles
- Silly stickers or googly eyes
- A folded paper game
Age tweaks
- Preschool: One silly picture or sticker – think about taking a silly picture of you, or google silly pictures for preschoolers. Then choose one that reflects them to print and send.
- Elementary: Joke cards or a scavenger-style challenge if your grown kids are available to help. Create some cards with your favorite kids jokes, or come up with a short set of clever clues that will lead them to a small ‘prize’.
- Pre-Teen: The folded paper game (often called fortune teller or cootie catcher back in the day) is always so fun! You can purchase a tear pad on Amazon that has both ready-to-go and fill in puzzles. Or print out a template yourself and customize it for your grandkid!
Smile moment: Expect giggles—and maybe a joke or challenge sent back to you.
The Cozy / Quiet One
Smiles through calm and comfort
Core items
- Short note or blessing
- Simple puzzle or word search
- Printed story or poem
Age tweaks
- Preschool: A note + one cozy picture or page
- Elementary: Puzzle page or short story
- Pre-Teen: Quote card, journal prompt, or reflective question. One special gift a co-worker received, was a journal with hand-written prompts written on some of the pages.
Smile moment: These kids appreciate unhurried connection.
The Curious / Thinker
Smiles through learning and discovery
Core items
- Fun facts or trivia cards
- Matching or memory game
- A challenge question
Age tweaks
- Preschool: Matching pictures or simple “find the same” activity
- Elementary: Memory games, riddles, or fact cards
- Pre-Teen:Riddles, brain teasers, or humor that doesn’t feel childish. Kanoodle is a very popular item for ages 8+.
Smile moment: Don’t be surprised if they ask you some of the questions, or share what they are learning. They love being able to teach you something
Care packages don’t need to be elaborate. One or two thoughtful items—paired with a note communicates that you know and love them, and that they are an important part of your life, even when you are miles apart
