Columnists > Kelly Ann Butterbaugh > ArticlesJune 21, 2010

By Kelly Ann Butterbaugh

Kids love to start collections, but these collections can get too pricey. The latest collecting fad for kids hardly has the intention of keeping a parent's wallet full. However, there are many things that children can collect that aren't pricey but are fun.

Stamps

Forgo the regular stamp collecting method and encourage your children to collect the cancellations on mail instead. Kids can cut the stamps and their cancellations out of mail and keep tabs on dates and locations of the stamps. The goal can be to collect one cancellation from each state or to collect a variety of special cancellation stamps. Visit www.usps.com/ for more information about stamp cancellation.

For storage of these special collectibles, grab a small sturdy box with a lid and decorate it accordingly. Cut out the postal stamps from mail and decorate the outside of the box with the colorful stamps, or have everyone create his/her own personal stamp and after drawing it cut it out and glue it to the box.

Business Cards

Almost everyone has a business card, and kids love to gather them. The more decorative cards make for better collector's items, but some have fun business names, too. The collection can focus on the variety of occupations, teaching children the variety of jobs available to them in the future. Cards can be collected from anywhere your family goes as well as from people whom your children know.

The organization of this hobby can be educational as well. Grab a cheap recipe card file (or small box with lid) and have the child keep the business cards in alphabetical order.

Coins

They fill your wallet, bounce around the clothes dryer, and wander the floor. Put that loose change to use and create your child's first collection. A penny collection is fun and educational and costs, well, pennies. Create a goal of gathering each year's penny, starting with this year and moving backwards. Kids can do a great deal of research on their own about pennies and the minting of them.

Storing your pennies is easy with a penny folio sold in most bookstores, but a simple pencil case works just as well. Several pennies will fit in each space of a baseball card plastic sleeve; just be sure to put a piece of tape on top of the sections after inserting the pennies.

Kids can collect anything, but their interests change as often as the latest fad. Try to start them on free and cheap collectibles until they learn their true collecting passions. Some of these starter collections can become real, adult collections one day. One never knows.

About The Author: Kelly Ann Butterbaugh is a freelance writer who regularly contributes to a variety of magazines and has written a history book for middle readers. Visit her website for writing help, lesson plans, history fun, or work for hire at http://www.kellybutterbaugh.com

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