Write a Letter to the President
Write and polish a respectful letter to the President expressing one idea or concern, practice clear writing, polite tone, addressing, and mailing steps.
About this activity
Write and polish a respectful letter to the President expressing one idea or concern, practice clear writing, polite tone, addressing, and mailing steps.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather all your materials and find a quiet place to write.
- 2
Step 2
Pick one clear idea or concern you want to share and write a single sentence that says it on scrap paper.
- 3
Step 3
Make a short outline with three parts: greeting opening; main idea with one suggestion; closing.
- 4
Step 4
Write a polite greeting and one sentence that says your first name and the city or town where you live.
- 5
Step 5
Write a short paragraph explaining your idea or concern and why it matters in 2 to 4 sentences.
- 6
Step 6
Write one sentence that suggests a clear idea or solution related to your concern.
- 7
Step 7
Write a polite closing sentence that thanks the President and leave a line for your signature and printed name.
- 8
Step 8
Read your draft out loud to check that it sounds respectful and clear.
- 9
Step 9
Fix any spelling punctuation or word problems you hear while reading.
- 10
Step 10
Write a neat clean final copy of your letter on fresh paper using your best handwriting.
- 11
Step 11
Ask an adult to help you find the current mailing address for the President.
- 12
Step 12
Address the envelope by writing the President’s address in the center and your return address in the top-left corner.
- 13
Step 13
Fold your letter neatly and put it inside the envelope then seal the envelope.
- 14
Step 14
Put a stamp on the top-right corner of the envelope and ask an adult to help you mail it at the post office or an official mailbox.
- 15
Step 15
Share your finished letter on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do I help my child write a respectful letter to the President step by step?
Start by choosing one clear idea or concern your child wants to express. Help them research the topic and make a simple outline: opening sentence, two short points, and a polite closing. Draft the letter using a respectful tone, date and address it to "Mr. President" or "Madam President," include "Sincerely," and the child's name. Proofread together, print or rewrite neatly, fold into an envelope, write the official mailing address, add a stamp, and mail at the post office.
What materials do I need to write and mail a letter to the President with my child?
Gather plain paper or stationery, a pencil and eraser for drafting, a pen for the final copy, and a computer/printer if you prefer typed letters. You’ll also need an envelope, postage stamp, and the official mailing address for the President. Keep a dictionary or thesaurus handy for phrasing, and sticky notes for editing. Parental supervision is important for review and to help with addressing and taking the letter to the post office.
What ages is writing a letter to the President suitable for?
This activity suits many ages: guided for 6-8 year olds who can express one idea with adult help; 9-12 year olds can draft and polish with light supervision; and teenagers (13+) can research, draft independently, and practice formal tone and citations. Adjust expectations: younger kids may write a single paragraph or draw a card, while older students write structured letters with supporting facts. Always supervise mailing and review content for tone and privacy.
What are the benefits and safety tips for having my child write to the President, and are there variations?
Writing to the President builds civic awareness, respectful communication, critical thinking, and writing skills. It teaches children how to express concerns calmly and propose solutions. Safety tips: never include sensitive personal details like Social Security numbers, exact daily schedules, or passwords; use a parent’s contact info for return address and review the final letter. Variations include class letters, postcards, or emailing a local representative first to practice the process.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have an envelope or stamps?
If you don't have an envelope or stamps, ask an adult to take your neat final copy to the post office and put it into a postage-paid envelope or mail it for you when helping with the 'Ask an adult to help...' and 'Put a stamp...' steps.
I'm stuck making my main idea into one sentence—what should I do?
Write several short phrases on scrap paper during the 'Pick one clear idea' step, choose the clearest phrase, and turn it into one sentence before making your three-part outline.
How can we adapt this letter activity for younger or older kids?
For younger kids, use the three-part outline and have an adult scribe the greeting, one two-sentence paragraph, and the closing, while older kids can add a supporting fact in the 'short paragraph' and type and print the neat final copy to mail.
How can we make the letter more personal or persuasive?
Add a brief local example or a small drawing on the neat final copy to illustrate your point in the 'short paragraph' or final copy, keep a photocopy, and then share the finished letter on DIY.org as instructed.