How children can enjoy the lost art of stamp collecting

There’s been a surge of interest in old fashioned hobbies of late. A recent study has shown that more children and young teenagers are finding traditional pastimes activities a great way to relax and unwind at home. What's more the kids are even calling them cool. So no more nerdy anorak jokes over here.

What's more these yesteryear hobbies offer a welcome retreat away from screens and technology, and can be a great distraction to life’s everyday and school week stresses.One such hobbies is Philately - the art of collecting and studying stamps. Here we prove why children should enjoy the lost art of stamp collecting.

Stamp Collecting for Children

1. Stamp collecting is one of the most popular hobbies in the world, with an estimated 20 million collectors in the United States alone, so your child will be in good company with plenty of other philatelists to enjoy her new hobby with. The Association of British Philatelic Societies (ABPS) even offer a children’s club, Stamp Active, with free stamps and activities for young collectors.

2. Stamps represent our past and can be a gateway into discussions about historic people, politics, places and events. Every stamp has a story and with a little bit of research you can introduce your child to a wealth of amazing adventures.

3. As a hobby that was particularly popular in generations past, stamp collecting could be a great bonding exercise for all of the generations of your family. Perhaps an older relative has an old collection hidden away and would love to show it to your child and begin collecting together.

4. The process of collecting, organising and sticking down stamps in their correct place can not only be a very therapeutic and relaxing hobby, but can teach your child vital organisational, numeric and research skills for the future.

5. Both John Lennon and Freddie Mercury were avid stamp collectors in their youth and now have their collections proudly displayed in national museums. Incidentally, both men also grew up to become creative geniuses and the icons of their generation... surely not a total coincidence?

5 Ways to kick of a stamp collecting hobby for children