Special Delivery Post

 

📬 Special Delivery: When Children Were Mailed Like Packages

Here’s a weird and wacky fact that might make you blink twice:

In 1913, it was perfectly legal to mail your child through the United States Postal Service. Yes, your actual child. With stamps. On their clothes.

This bizarre chapter in postal history began shortly after the launch of Parcel Post, a new service that allowed Americans to send packages weighing up to 11 pounds through the mail. Families quickly realized that their toddlers, many of whom weighed less than the limit, technically qualified as “parcels.” And so, in a few rare cases, they did just that.

One of the most famous stories comes from Ohio, where a couple mailed their young son to his grandparents for a visit. The cost? Just 53 cents in postage. The boy was placed in the care of a trusted mail carrier, who escorted him safely to his destination on a train. No box. No crate. Just a child with stamps pinned to his coat and a chaperone in uniform.

As word spread, newspapers across the country ran stories and photographs of these “human parcels,” sparking both amusement and concern. While most postal workers refused to participate, a few rural carriers, often known personally by the families, agreed to help. It wasn’t long before the Postmaster General stepped in to clarify the rules. By 1914, new regulations were introduced to officially prohibit the mailing of human beings, no matter how well-behaved or stamp-covered they might be.

It’s hard to imagine such a thing happening today. Between child safety laws, transportation standards, and a very different understanding of what’s appropriate, the idea of mailing a child feels more like a plot twist from a Roald Dahl novel than a real-life event.

Still, this odd little slice of history reminds us how much the world has changed, and how creative (or desperate) people can be when trying to save a buck or solve a travel dilemma.

So next time you’re waiting for a package, just be glad it’s not your cousin arriving in a stamped sweater.

The next time you drop a letter in the mailbox or wait for a package to arrive, remember that there was once a time when the mail carried more than just envelopes and boxes. It carried stories, surprises, and even (briefly!) children with stamps on their coats.

Thankfully, times have changed. But the magic of sending something thoughtful through the mail hasn’t. Whether it’s a cheerful drawing, a kind letter, or a simple “I’m thinking of you,” the mail still has the power to connect hearts across miles.

📬 Want to keep the fun going? 

Try our “Send a Smile” activity and brighten someone’s day with a picture and a note. Because kindness, like postage, always delivers.

💌 “Send a Smile” Mail Activity

Theme: Postal History + Gratitude + Creative Expression

Ages: 5–10 or older

Objective: Learn about old-fashioned mail and create a meaningful letter and picture to brighten someone’s day.

✨ Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Discover the Wacky Fact

📚 Share the 1913 story: Some families once mailed their children (yes, really!) with stamps pinned to their clothes.

💬 Ask: “Why do you think people used the mail in such creative ways?”

💡 Emphasize how mail was once the only way to stay connected across long distances.

Step 2: Choose a Recipient

👵 Pick someone special: a grandparent, teacher, neighbor, or friend.

💬 Ask: “Who would smile if they got a surprise letter from you?”

Step 3: Create a Picture

🎨 Draw something cheerful, like a rainbow, a favorite animal, or a happy memory.

💡 Add a title like “Thinking of You!” or “You Make Me Smile!”

Step 4: Write a Short Letter

✏️ Use this gentle template to guide young writers:

Dear [Name], 

I wanted to send you a smile today! Here’s a picture I made just for you. I’m thankful for [something about them]. I hope you have a wonderful day! 

 Love, [Your Name] 

💬 Encourage kids to personalize it with a joke, a memory, or a kind wish.

Step 5: Decorate the Envelope

📬 Add stickers, doodles, or a pretend stamp they design themselves.

💡 Optional: Include a real stamp and mail it.

Step 6: Reflect Gently

🧠 Ask:

• “How do you feel when someone sends you a letter?”

• “What makes a message meaningful?”

• “Why is it kind to surprise someone with love?”