Writing a Love Letter to Your Village: A Family Activity with Kids

It takes a village to raise a child. Whether its a neighbour who waves to your little adventurer every morning as you’re chasing after them down the street, the daycare teacher who always remembers your little dreamer’s favourite stuffy, or the friend who always shows up with a coffee for you and snacks for your little one, a village is made up of the people and comforts that make the parenting journey a bit lighter. 

If you’re looking for a meaningful activity to teach your kids gratitude, writing a love letter to the people who show up is a beautiful way for little dreamers of all ages. Here’s our step-by-step guide on how to write a heartfelt love letter to your village.

To little ones, your village might look like their grandparent who always has their favourite snack in their home, the librarian who says hi during storytime, or their daycare teacher who greets them with the biggest hugs. 

When we help little ones recognize the people in their village, we’re helping them feel secure, supported, and rooted in a world where kindness and connection count. It teaches them that love isn’t just felt—it’s expressed.

Writing a love letter to their village isn’t just sweet—it’s powerful. This simple activity helps children:

• Builds early observation and language skills – Noticing who helps them and learning to name those people strengthens vocabulary and awareness.
• Introduces early storytelling – Whether they’re drawing pictures or telling you what to write, they’re beginning to understand how to express feelings and ideas.
• Encourages gratitude and kindness – Saying “thank you” in their own way helps toddlers start to connect emotions with actions.

• Fosters a sense of belonging – Seeing themselves as part of a caring village builds emotional security and confidence.
• Gently introduces community values – Toddlers begin to notice how people support one another and learn that kindness matters.
• Deepens appreciation for everyday life – From the post office to the park, little ones start to see magic in their routines and the people who make them feel safe.

And for you as a parent? It’s a sweet moment of reflection. A chance to pause and notice the good. And maybe, just maybe, to feel a little more supported yourself.

Before starting your village love letter project with your little one, you’ll need to gather a few supplies:

• Large paper and chunky crayons, markers, or coloured pencils 
• A camera or a smartphone for documenting special places
• Comfortable walking shoes and maybe a stroller for tired toddlers 
• Small notebook for parents to jot down children's observations (or record their voice on your phone)
• Child-friendly art supplies: stickers, washable markers, glue sticks, construction paper, stamps
• Optional: clipboard or hard surface for writing outdoors

This makes a perfect weekend family project or one you could do this summer when you have more time to spare (2-3 hours). For toddlers and preschoolers, consider breaking it into shorter 20-30 minute sessions over several days.

Write a Love Letter to Your Village: A Step-By-Step Guide

This activity can be done with toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids alike. Here’s how: 

Step 1: Go On a Discovery Walk

Take a walk around your neighbourhood together. This isn’t your regular walk around the block – it's a treasure hunt for the special details that make your community unique.

During the walk, encourage your little ones to notice: 

People Who Make Your Community Special

• Friendly neighbours who always wave hello
• Local business owners who know your family's name (the grocery store cashier, mailman, librarian)
• Other families with children they recognize
• Community helpers like firefighters or police officers

Places That Feel Like Home

• Their favourite playground, or swing set
• The coffee shop where you stop to buy treats
• Beautiful gardens, trees, or flowers you pass regularly
• Interesting mailboxes, colourful doors, or fun yard decorations
• The route you take to daycare, school, or grandma's house
• Places where you see dogs, cats, or other animals

Sounds, Smells, and Sensations

• The smell from the local bakery or coffee shop
• Seasonal changes you notice together (fallen leaves, blooming flowers)
• Birds, bees, squirrels, or other wildlife you regularly see

Step 2: Talk About Their Village

After your discovery walk, get together for a family brainstorming session. Make it fun and encourage your little ones to share what they saw and noticed during their walks. 

Community Champions

Talk about the people that your little ones notice by asking:

•  “Who smiled and said hi to us today?” 
• “Who helps keep our neighbourhood safe and happy?”
• “Who makes you feel safe and happy?”

Favourite Places

Talk about the places  that hold special meaning for your family by asking:

• “What’s your favourite playground to play at?”
• “What’s your favourite place in our neighbourhood?”
• “Where did we see the pretty flowers that made your heart happy?”

Other Fun Stuff

Ask them questions about the sounds and smells they encountered like: 

• "What sounds did we hear?" 
• What do you remember smelling?"
• “What did the leaves feel like compared to the Fall?”

Jot down everything your little ones say or record it for a keepsake. Even if it feels silly, it makes them happy and can make the most heartfelt parts of the letter!

Step 3: Choose Someone to Write To

Pick one person (or a few) to write/draw a letter to together. You can make it a weekly or monthly ritual, too!

Step 4: Create the Letter

Depending on your little one’s age, you can write/draw a letter. Here’s how:

• Toddlers and preschoolers can draw pictures or dictate words to you. Include their exact words to make this note more genuine like: "I like the friend with the rainbow cape. They let me slide first."
• School-aged kids can draw and write their a short note or card 

Some simple prompts to get started include: 

• Thank you for…
• I like when you…
• You make me feel…

Step 5: Make It An Art Project

Let your little one bring out and add their own creative flair and decorate the letter with stickers, drawings, stamps, or even a family photo.

Step 6: Deliver the Love Letter

Now that they’re done, it’s time to share them with your village! Hand-deliver it, slip it into a mailbox, or take a photo and send it digitally. You could also keep it close and frame it as a daily gratitude reminder or add it to their memory book.

Taking the time to write a love letter to your village—especially with your little one by your side—may feel small, but it’s one of those gentle, meaningful moments that help shape how they see the world.

They’re learning to notice kindness, name their feelings, and express gratitude—even if it’s through scribbles, stickers, or sweet little stories told out loud. These early experiences build a strong foundation for empathy, for connection, and for understanding that we’re all part of something bigger.

And in the process, you’re not just teaching your child to say thank you—you’re showing them how love lives in the everyday— with one drawing, one letter, one shared moment at a time.

We’d love to see your love letters in action! Share a photo or story on Instagram or on TikTok. Let’s inspire a ripple of kindness—because in every heartfelt “thank you,” we can grow a stronger village, together.