Introducing My Son To Stamp Collecting

Hello #128075;
I want to introduce my 8 years old son to stamp collecting. I think it's a great way to learn and to be curious about geography and history. That's what I did when I was his age.

If you could give me any advice ?
If anyone has free stamps to give, I could cover the mailing fees,

We live in South Shore Montréal - Québec, Canada

Thank you in advance
A father trying his best #128517;

Since you are not allowed to post personal details and cannot use the personal messaging system until you reach 50 "quality" posts, it may be difficult for members to gift stamps for your son.

Start with topical collecting, meaning stamps of a theme which currently interests you child. Cars, superheros, Disney, hockey, that sort of thing.

Your timing is spot on. Just received my copy of Canadian Stamp News and looked up shows and Bourse section. There is an event next weekend. On November 14- 15 in Montreal Quebec.
EXUP 52, presented by the Union des philatelists de Montreal (UPM). Dealers, 10c stamps, door prizes, conference. Open to all. Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free parking and admission. For more information email info@philatelie-upm.com. website : www.philatelie-upm.com

Occassionaly at some shows they have a kids or beginners table, where they can pick up materials, books and stamps for free to introduce them into the hobby. Whether by country, thematics, value or what interests him, If he continues to have interest and wants to ask specific questions about collecting, or stamps he has, you have found a great place to use. And get up to 50 posts as noted with some good questions or discussions, and you will be able to use message system.
I will even send him a package, postage prepaid with an assortment for him to go through including a few items from the old www.canadapost.ca/cpo/mc/per...ts/index.jsf">Canada Post Stamp Travellers Club so he can decide where his interests are.

Happy hunting, from neighbour two provinces over.
Mike

Edit: Forgot to mention. For a great education and learning experience have your son , and yourself, go to www.stampsmarter.org for another great knowledgebased site.

It's an awesome-blossom hobby and interest to teach to a young child. But like with most things, there may be better ways to do it:

1. Gift him one of those philately hobby starter kits.
2. Make sure it comes with all of the right paraphernalia. Kids love new instruments and equipment. Get him a stazzy new stamp collection toolkit - packed with its own set of forceps, tweezers, binders and everything.
3. Make sure it comes in his favourite colour theme and is child-safe.
4. Usually, starter kits come with their own first 100 stamps set but if the one you find doesn't, it's no problem-o. Get him some of those nice and large, late-soviet stamps. They're very brightly coloured and fantastic. Get him some of those disney stamp series. These are all pretty inexpensive stamps so, it's not a big loss if there's any type of mishandling.
5. Last but not the least, a philately reference handbook goes a long way. That way, he can know what all other stamps he should collect next.

Regards

I still remember fondly when dear old Dad gave me my first Inverted Jenny..........

Inverted Jenny! Wow what a gift. Mine was a set of Chinese reprint issues from the Kenmore stamp company in 1968.

Edit: corrected spelling error, took out extra e

I met an inverted Jenny once. I helped her up, she said "thanks", and we went on our separate ways.

LMAO.

When we wanted to introduce our daughters to stamps, I requested stamps from a few of the websites that said free stamps to young collectors.

Not sure if they are still around, but Google it