Create and Donate Greeting Cards for Nursing Homes, Seniors, Hospitalized Kids, and More
Turn your art into an act of kindness.
If you have perpetual doodlers in the family, put those creative juices to work making cards for children with a serious illness or spreading cheer in nursing homes.
Possible recipients
Share your cards with organizations like Love for the Elderly, Cards for Hospitalized Kids, Color A Smile or any of the organizations listed on our mailbox kindness page.
You might also decorate cards for folks in a local hospital, nursing home, or veteran’s home. You could even reach out to a local children’s hospital and ask the staff if anyone in their care could use extra love and attention.
What you'll need
Blank cards and envelopes (or paper you can cut or fold to make a card)
Coloring pages or blank paper for drawing (if you're working with Color A Smile)
Decorating supplies: crayons, stamps + stamp pads, markers, stickers, scissors, glue, etc.
Instructions
If working with Love for the Elderly, Cards for Hospitalized Kids or Color A Smile, discuss how it might feel to be away from home for an extended period or unable to visit friends and family whenever you like.
Decorate the card(s) and create colorful drawing. Write uplifting messages, such as “Enjoy Your Day.” (Avoid get-well sentiments, because some of your recipients may be sick for a long time.)
See the organization's websites for additional card-making guidelines.
Simply mail your cards to the address you find on the website.
Or, decorate cards for folks in a local hospital, nursing home or veteran’s home. Here you may have the bonus of handing out your handiwork in person and having a brief chat.
Reflection
Would you like to receive mail if you were sick? How would it make you feel?
What else makes you feel better when you’re sick?
Do you remember ever being sick for a long time? How would it feel to be sick for weeks, months or even years?
Was there a time when you weren’t feeling well and someone did something nice for you? How did it feel?
Sometimes it can be uncomfortable to be around a sick person or visit a hospital. Why is that? What can we do to change that feeling?
Resources
Going to the Hospital by Fred Rogers (Puffin, 1997). Ages 2 and up. A comforting look at hospitals and hospital procedures through the experiences of two young children.
Franklin Goes to the Hospital by Paulette Bourgeois (Scholastic Inc., 2000). Ages 4-8. Franklin’s visit to the hospital to repair a cracked shell can introduce young children to all aspects of a hospital stay.
The Lemonade Club by Patricia Polacco (Philomel, 2007). Ages 6 and up. When a young girl discovers she has leukemia, she and her friends learn how to make the best out of sour lemons.
Because of Anya by Margaret Peterson Haddix (Simon & Schuster, 2004). Ages 8 and up. The story of a young girl diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease and her attempts to hide her illness in order to lead a normal life.
Take it further
Set up a card-making “station” at home – with paper, envelopes and decorating supplies. When anyone in the family has some down time and wants to spread some cheer, everything will be ready to go.
Expand your card-making efforts to friends who are going through a tough time. Or use your handmade cards to express gratitude to a neighbor, family member or community member who has made a positive difference in your family’s life.
Invite other families over for a card-making party, complete with unusual and imaginative decorating supplies.
Think of other simple, flat items to include with your cards – stickers, temporary tattoos, bookmarks.
Discover more projects that provide comfort to others.
