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How to Start a Stamp Collection for Kids

Stamp collecting, known formally as philately, is a hobby that offers multiple sources of satisfaction. Postage stamps are designed to look aesthetically pleasing, but there's also a history behind every stamp. Many organizations exist worldwide to assist stamp collectors, increasing both their knowledge of philately and their collection size. Introducing your child to the art of stamp collecting gives them an outlet where they can spend their free time productively. Make sure you provide them all the materials they need to begin and maintain their stamp collection.

Things You'll Need

Mailed envelopes with postage stamps
Pan
Warm water
Stamp tongs
Paper towels
Stamp mounts
Three-ring binder
Glitter (if desired)
Glue sticks (if desired)
Markers (if desired)
Printed stamp pictures (if desired)
Stamp pricing catalog
Stamp album (if desired)
Stamp collector magazine subscription (if desired)

Instructions

- 1
  Save 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. 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 between two paper towels. Lay a phone book on top of the paper towels to prevent the stamp from curling while drying.
- 2
  Place dried stamps into stamp mounts. Stamp mounts are sheets of clear plastic containing rows of sleeves that will hold and protect stamps.
- 3
  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, a drawing of the US Postal Service logo in marker or pictures of stamps glued or taped to the binder's cover.
- 4
  Give your child a stamp collecting beginner's kit consisting of the binder with pre-affixed stamps, stamp tongs and stamp pricing catalog. Popular stamp catalogs for the United States include the annual Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue and the US/BNA Postage Stamp Catalog. Additional kit ideas include a themed stamp album for collecting themed stamps or a subscription to a stamp collecting magazine, such as The American Stamp Dealer or Scott Stamp Monthly.
- 5
  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.
- 6
  Continue to save mail containing postage stamps. Give these envelopes to your child.

Stamp Collecting