10 Ways to Begin a Stamp Collection for Kids

Stamp collecting can be a fun and rewarding hobby especially done with your children. Introducing your child to the art of stamp collecting gives them an outlet where they can spend their free time productively. They can also learn about different parts of the world through collecting stamps from other countries.

Each country will usually have stamps that represent things that make that country special. This includes leaders, famous entertainers, animals that can be found in that country, historical events, historical figures and more. Before you begin make sure to provide them all the materials they need to begin and maintain their stamp collection.

Instructions

1. You can begin collecting by saving envelopes you receive that have postage stamps affixed to them. Set aside half of these envelopes for the beginner's kit you will give your child. Take the other half and tear out the corner containing the postage stamp.

2. Set the paper upside down in a pan of warm water. Let the paper sit until the stamp separates and drops to the bottom of the pan. Remove the stamp with stamp tongs and lay it flat in between 2 paper towels. Lay a telephone directory on top of the paper towels to avoid the stamp from curling while drying out.

3. Place dried stamps in-to stamp mounts. Stamp mounts are sheets of clear plastic consisting of rows of sleeves that will hold and protect stamps.

4. Open your three-ring binder and thread stamp mount pages through the metal rings. Close the binder. You may choose to decorate the outside of your binder for your child. Good decorative ideas include glue sticks and glitter or pictures of stamps glued or taped to the binder's cover.
   
   
   

   

    

5. Buy and give your child a stamp collecting beginner's kit consisting of the binder with pre-affixed stamps, stamp tongs and stamp pricing catalog. Also, additional kit ideas include a themed stamp album for collecting themed stamps or a subscription to a stamp collecting magazine.
   
   

   

6. Show your child how to remove stamps from envelopes using the rest of the mail you've been saving. Repeat the process laid out in Step 1. Have your child complete the stamp removal process by themselves.
   
   
   

   

   
   

7. Continue to save mail containing postage stamps. Give these envelopes to your child.
   

   
   

   

   
   
8. While collecting encourage your child to visit websites that contains resources about regional clubs, travelling stamp shows and stamp dealers. 
   
   

   

9. After successful collecting, encourage your child to investigate the history of the stamps they've collected.
   
   

   

10. Lastly, encourage your children also to pass on to their future children’s the stamps they've collected since they’re young and continue collecting. 
    
    
    

    

    
    Images:
    

    • http://www.allyou.com/budget-home/money- shopping/cheapskate-guide- 00411000077877/page12.html
    • http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-a-Stamp-from-Its- Envelope
    • http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2012/09/make-your- own-house-stamp.html
    • http://www.betterworldbooks.com/u-s-stamp-collecting- kit-for-beginners-with-collector-s-album-and-adhesive- hinges-25-u-s-postage-id-0486478203.aspx
    • http://www.icollector.com/LOT-OF-VINTAGE- ENVELOPES-WITH-STAMPS-Civil-War- e_i10201327