Postcards are inherently fun. Buying them, sending them, receiving them, and collecting them are all happy events in their lifecycle. But what if you could add another step to the whole process? Like interacting with them! Here are several types of puzzle and game postcards that make receiving one in the mail twice the fun!
Build your own…
How would you like to have your own little desktop version of a car, a famous building or animal? The possibilities are endless! Check out this amazing Flickr gallery for some examples.
Crosswords
An internationally beloved hobby, solving crossword puzzles is a stimulating way to pass the time. Postcard puzzles have been around for awhile, although modern day versions can be tricky to find…
If you have some time though, you can always try to make your own, and test the recipient’s knowledge of your country or city with a fun challenge! :)
Find the…
There is a special category of cards, in which you have to find a specific object or character… Some examples are the “Where’s Waldo (or Wally)?” set, or Lali cards! They’re fun and challenging… and definitely not just for kids!
Cutout models
A great way to send a greeting to someone who loves flags is by sending them a flag-shaped postcard!
Likewise, there are cutout model postcards for almost all modes of transportation, food, sculptures, animals, everyday objects, toys, not to mention famous global landmarks or gotochi cards!
Jigsaws
The first jigsaw puzzle postcards were seen in the early 1900’s. The recipient tore along a perforated edge of the card to remove a jigsaw made from light cardboard. Printed score sheets were included in a pack of six, intended to be used at “Progressive Puzzle Parties” by players who were to record the time it took to complete one puzzle.
Nowadays you can find jigsaw puzzles of all types, even postcards that reveal a message under the pieces of the puzzle!
Do you know of any other types of interactive postcards? Do share in the comments!
53 comments so far
I like this idea:
http://selekkt.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/600x600/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/f/o/formes_berlin_postkarte_frosch_2_1_1.jpg
Postcards made of thin wood which can be converted to 3D cards :)
WOOHOO for the Taiwan jigsaw postcard! I know there are spin-the-wheel postcards as well, like this: http://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/TW-29920
Great fun :)
I love the cutout ones, but I don't ever cut them out. One of my favorite companies is Green Banana Cards, because they make it possible to Mail a Moose (and lots of other big animals) http://www.greenbananacards.com/
The more I know, the more I don't know!
How about word search ...
http://www.9teen87spostcards.blogspot.com/2013/01/texas-word-search-postcard.html
I've sent the cut-out cards of San Francisco attractions.
I received one from Taiwan that has punch out sections, making it a 3-D card:
http://postcrossing-nfld.blogspot.ca/2012/01/postcard-129-taiwan.html
or watchable DVD postcards ...
http://www.9teen87spostcards.blogspot.com/2012/11/dvd-postcards-hawaii-and-pisa-italy.html
or planted them :D ...
http://www.9teen87spostcards.blogspot.com/2010/08/wildflower-seed-packet-postcards-from.html
I have MANY more - ones that are door hangers, light switch covers, books that open and you can read, etc.
I once sent a card with a Sudoku on it :)
http://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/DE-1059510
Oh my gosh, I would love a crossword puzzle postcard! And I love that the example shown here is of Vienna, giving it a great theme :D
I really enjoy sending Where's Waldo postcards and I always keep them in stock in my postcard inventory :)
The more unique, the better!
Greetings from northeast Ohio, USA,
Marica
I was sent the Taiwan card!!
I have a Berlin Sudoku card:
https://picasaweb.google.com/116786501103837865278/Berlin#5783168704719775282
http://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/NL-1159956
Message in a bottle postcard in which I put some shells from our beach as sand would make it too heavy. It was for sale in a place nearby but I have never seen them again in NL.
http://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/NL-1163023
a small book by Niccolò Ammaniti sent as postcard (the holes are in the cover not the pages)
http://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/NL-1139942
filled with quinoa
http://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/NL-1031926
scratch to read a secret message
cute cards! :)
I once sent this one to a Postcrosser in Singapore. It's an vintage German ad card. You can open a secret door positioned over the car door to reveal a tiny booklet hidden inside, containing more information.
http://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/US-1956863
http://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/NL-879436
made from soap (greeting card)
http://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/NL-705239
thunderbirds build your airplane
Very fun! I got a where's waldo type from Germany and it amused my family for awhile!
I have bought and sent fun postcards as well...i search for these in postcard shops. There are sewing postcards as well. anc connect the dots postcards
I frequently send Where's Wally search puzzles to postcrossers who have or are children. Contact me if you'd like to arrange a swap!
(cspt)
Paper Dolls on Postcards ...
http://9teen87spostcards.blogspot.com/2012/09/dolly-dingle-paper-dolls-on-postcards.html
can you tell Novelty postcards are my favorites of all time ...
Here is an actual record on a postcard that can be played on a record player...
http://www.9teen87spostcards.blogspot.com/2012/03/march-of-toreadors-carmen-overture.html
Awesome subject for the blog!
The 3D/optical illusion cards are definitely interactive!
Example:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8856520@N07/1872237291/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51634097@N07/4981474304/
Or these cool postcards where an attached disc can be rotated to "play optically"
https://picasaweb.google.com/110290261107457990394/Art#5831577639367610146
I have one with seeds inside too http://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/DE-1349679
I just got some postcards that can be played like vinyl records. The grooves with the music are stamped on a thin layer of plastic that is put on the card: https://deltiolog.wordpress.com/2013/04/24/postcard-sound/
I received a postcard with fruit tea inside and a little robin at the front of the envelope. From a good friend...
Thanks for sharing the Green Banana Cards @ PostMuse! I definitely want to try some of those!
The thin wooden postcards mentioned by MrsTaavi are available on Etsy- https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/125701259/free-choice-set-3cards-postcard-wood?ref=shop_home_active
They also look very cool!!
How about a postcard/garden- the PostCarden- http://www.cutebitz.com/postcarden.htm
I love these infinite ideas of sending messages...
And postcrossing community adding many interesting solutions deserves congrats as well!
How about a Postcard you can wear! Here is a postcard that opens up to be a t-shirt....
http://www.9teen87spostcards.blogspot.com/2008/04/postcard-with-t-shirt-inside.html
Taiwan's jigsaw postcard!!!!
I'm a proud owned of this Taiwan jigsaw card and it's in my favourites. Never really try to solve it though. It's to precious might destroy it that way :)
I have a gorgeous "spin the wheel" card from Taiwan which I love, and a "make your own" postbox too! I haven't cut it out, maybe I'll photocopy it...
I received this card that when you rub it with your hand, i.e. warm it up, changes colour:
http://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/NL-503659
Stop making me want to buy things!!!
I have sent this one a couple times. It was issued by the U.S. Post Office for a "go green" campaign. Wildflower seeds are actually embedded in the card. When the person who receives it is finished reading and admiring it, he or she can actually plant the postcard and grow flowers from it! Instructions are on the card.
http://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/US-2097773
I found the green banana cut out cards. Any other websites where you can buy shaped/cut out/build your own cards in US? Thanks!!!!!
My sister received a puzzle postcard from Finland!
http://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/FI-1713290
I have a few interesting cards on this page;
https://picasaweb.google.com/inatijdelijk/Specials?authkey=Gv1sRgCOuOgeiOmq-JEA#
I already sent a postcard with Tea in it and also the Puzzle, Waldo, Lali and Optical Illusian cards.
I received a card with seeds in it from dear 9teen87 and several cut out postcards.
http://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/NL-1839877
registered today, a card with stickers from something Pink and something Panther
I love these "do-it-yourself" cards and paper doll cards.
Here is my collection if anyone is interested to see it:
https://picasaweb.google.com/minnasusanne/PaperDollCards
...oops,I forgot these cards in my old album:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/minnasusanne/sets/72157600868020623/
(There are few other cards but the most are paperdoll cards. )
make your own turtle: http://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/TW-142620
My mom gave me a book of optical illusion maze postcards for Christmas!
I just received a card with seeds for sunflowers - really a great idea. An extra special card. Great blog!
This postcard is about train station~
http://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/TW-366135
Sunflower seeds are hidden in this card:
http://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/DE-522313
http://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/CA-299766
Is a maze!
I got a postcard years ago that was a Dracula mask (the nose was cut out so one could wear it) Part of the card is actually seen on my postcard collection avatar in the upper right corner below a paper doll postcard.
found another one: make your own rocking horse ;)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/isa_11/7170178286/
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