Free Resources About the Post Office
Published:
May 20, 2020
Contributor:
Jeannette Tuionetoa
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info.
Can you imagine what we would do without the post office or mail carriers? To teach kids all about the post office and the postal system, these free resources about the post office will help.
Receiving and sending mail is a privilege we can take for granted at times. If your child has ever received a letter or a package, you will know how exciting it is. I mean, we still get excited today to receive items as well. I know I do.
On the other hand, some of us receive packages daily, like some Amazon fanatics. We all either know one or are one. Either way, we appreciate the mailing system, and it all started with the postal service.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) started in 1971 to deliver letters, packages, and other items from one location to the next without actually having to go there.
It continues to be a crucial part of the American economy and keeps people connected nation-wide. Teaching kids about the post office is also teaching them about a significant part of communication throughout our country.
I am not telling you to tell your kids about the following facts about the post office. However, it can make your older kids engaged in the lessons, give them a chuckle, or at least interested in post office history.
Did you know this about the United States Postal Service?
-You won’t believe this, BUT… there were instances when people – around the 1900s – would actually mail their babies. Here is a fact for you:
A mom paid 15 cents for postage to ship an 8-month-old baby to his grandmother, who lived a few miles away. The baby weighed just under the 11-pound parcel limit. Craziness!
-In the 1870s to the 1950s, railroads were used to carry all mail. From the trains, the mail clerks would throw out the parcels at the stops, and the outgoing parcels will be thrown on the train. Aren’t you glad that doesn’t happen anymore?
-Women equality? Been there, done that. Since the beginning of the country’s history, women have served as postmasters.
-Envelopes weren’t always used. Until 1845, only the letters were sent because sending both pieces cost twice the amount.
-Benjamin Franklin served for many years as the postmaster for Philadelphia.
-The U.S. Postal Service collects, sorts, and delivers millions of letters per day.
-In the present day, a letter travels from New York to San Francisco in less than seven hours. Around 1900, it took 4 ½ days. Prior to 1850, one piece of mail took four to six weeks.
-Our mail service didn’t use zip codes until 1963.
-Junk mail companies are charged more money when you send their mail back to them. You’re welcome.
-In 1970, President Richard Nixon deployed 25,000 soldiers to New York City to deliver mail after mail carriers went on strike.
-In 2006, a prisoner got himself a job at a prison repairing mailbags. He climbed inside one of the bags and mailed himself out of prison. His name was Richard Lee McNair, no lie. Look it up.
I can go on and on, but I have to leave some research for the older kids. Check out the sources below to help your kids explore and learn about the post office.
Take them on a field trip there, have them grab the mail from the driveway with you, encourage your kids to mail letters, and use some resources below for hands-on learning.
Grab these free resources about the post office to teach your kids:
Community Helpers Series FREE Postman Printables and Crafts
32 FREE Pretend Play Printables | My Joy-Filled Life
FREE Post Office Printable Learning Unit | Lil Mama Bear
Post Office “I SPY” FREE Printable for Preschoolers | Simple Home Blessings
FREE Post Office Activity Steps | Cheered on Mom
Post Office Unit FREE Lesson Plans Preschool Unit | Lil Mama Bear
Kindergarten Mail Carrier Unit (FREE) | Confessions of a Homeschooler
FREE Dramatic Play Theme Signs – Post Office | Tracy Elhert TPT Store
Mailbox Craft and Match& Mail Letters Activities | Mrs Plemons Kindergarten
Post Office Lesson FREE Sample Planning Page | Pre-K Printable Fun
5 Hands-On Post Office Preschool Theme Unit Activities | Mommy is My Teacher
FREE Mail Box Printables | A Whole Lot of Tiny
Printable Post Office Questions FREE to Use With The Video | Meagan Gets Real
FREE Printable Mailbox for Kids | hello, Wonderful
Mailbox Play Set FREE Template | Handmade Charlotte
FREE Printable Toddler Activity Post Letters | Family Edventures
Wrong Mail: A Mail CVC Word FREE Worksheets Activity | No Stress Homeschooling
These post office ideas and videos will help your kids understand the system well:
Post Office is Open! | Fairy Dust Teaching
4 Ways to Make your Own Pretend Play Post Office | Buggy and Buddy
How to Mail a Letter – Post Office Field Trip KidVision Pre-K | South Florida PBS
KidVision Pre-K – Post Office | PBS
Post office – Day to Day activities | Pebbles live
Teach your kiddos with these FREE post-office themed learning:
FREE Printable Mail Number Matching | From ABCs to ACTs
Mailbox Word Families Kindergarten Activity | Totschooling
FREE Life Skills Center – Mailing a Letter | Teaching Special Thinkers
Mailbox Alphabet Game with FREE Printables | Totschooling
Shapes and Envelopes FREE Printable Mailbox Math | Prekinders
MAIL PLAY! Matching Uppercase and Lowercase Letters | How Wee Learn
FREE Postal Vocabulary Cards | Preschool Printables by Gwyn
