Have a kid who loves to draw? Check out our NEW Drawing Skills Master Class!  Designed for kids 6-11 to gain skills and confidence.

DIY Thank You Cards for Kids with Washi Tape

by Jean Van't Hul
January 3, 2017
412 Shares
Thank You Cards for Kids with Washi Tape

Getting kids to write thank you cards can be tricky. Heck, getting myself to write thank you cards can be tricky.

But here’s something I started doing years ago with the kids and it works remarkably well…

Have them make ONE nice thank you card or artwork then make as many photocopies as you need.

Do this after Christmas or a birthday party or anytime thank you cards are warranted.

Here’s our latest iteration, using colorful washi tape for the letters. The plan was to do tape resist, as we’ve done in the past and again this year for our Happy New Year banner.

But the patterned and colorful washi tape was so happy and pretty that we kept it on (for some of the thank you cards anyway).

DIY Thank You Cards for Kids with Washi Tape

Shaping the washi tape letters is best for Kindergarten and up. If you have a younger child, they can create a more abstract artwork with the washi tape and watercolors, then you or they can hand write “Thank You” somewhere on the front or back.

This post contains affiliate links. MATERIALS

INSTRUCTIONS

Using Washi Tape to Make Thank You Cards

First, use the washi tape to spell “Thank You.” Cut small sections of the washi tape for each section of the letters and press them to the paper. For curved letters, such as O, simply use more short sections of tape. You can also cut washi tape sections in half lengthwise for skinnier strips, if necessary.

Note :: This is the set of washi tape we used. I received lots of questions about it on Instagram! Maia gifted it to me for Christmas and I’m guessing it came from Michael’s or A.C. Moore.

Thank You Cards for Kids with Washi Tape and Watercolor Paint

Then, paint over or around your washi tape words with watercolor paint.

Thank You Cards for Kids with Washi Tape and Watercolor Paint

Continue until your thank you cards are completely painted.

I LOVE the combination of the decorative washi tape with the watercolor paint! And even though we had planned to make these tape resist thank you cards, I was all for keeping the washi tape ON after seeing how they looked.

Removing Tape from Thank You Cards

The kids had other ideas, though, and really wanted to pull off their tape for the full tape resist effect.

Kids Tape Resist Thank You Card

Here’s Daphne’s tape resist thank you card, signed.

Kids Tape Resist Thank You Card

And here’s Maia’s. Since her watercolor background was a bit light in areas (especially noticeable after we ran it through the copy machine), she wanted to outline her letters with pen.

Making Photocopies of Thank You Cards for Kids

Next, make color copies of your thank you cards. If you don’t have a printer/copier like this, head to a place like Kinko’s or Staples to have your copies made.

(Note :: I made photo copies of Daphne’s card before and after she took the washi tape off. So we had both versions to send.)

Finally, mail or give your thank you cards to everyone who should get one!

Thank You Cards for Kids

See how easy that was?! Make ONE creative thank you card, copy as many as you need, and send them off! Kids will enjoy the process rather than thinking of it as an endless chore and the recipient will feel properly thanked.

Note :: We usually just send the photocopies as is but sometimes add a brief handwritten note by the child or by me in the margin.

Thank You Cards for Kids :: VARIATIONS

  • Copy your thank you cards onto card stock or nicer paper.
  • Take a photo of your child holding her thank you card artwork (as with these Valentine’s Day Photo Cards.) Have prints made and mail them.
  • Scan your child’s thank you card, reduce in size, then print out several to a page. Paste the smaller images onto blank cards.
  • Scan your child’s thank you card, then have post cards printed from the card.
  • Use sticker letters instead of washi tape to write “thank you”. Keep them on or remove after painting for a sticker resist effect.
  • Use the washi tape (or sticker letters) to write any other brief message you like. I Love You. Happy Birthday. Get Well. I Miss You. Happy New Year.

How about you? Any tips, tricks, or ideas for getting kids to write thank you cards after a party or holiday?

Pin It for Later

Easy Thank You Cards for Kids with Washi Tape Letters

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

FREE EBOOK!

Subscribe to get your free copy of the 10 BEST Kids Art Ideas eBook!

10 Best Kids Art Ideas
Just Print & Draw!
34 pages of colorful, creative fun!
Encourage scientific exploration with all kinds of creative fun!
Shop Printables
412 Shares
Print
Share
Pin412