Christmas
What to Write in a Letter to Santa: Sentence Starters by Age
A child’s letter to Santa needs just four things: a greeting, a thank-you, one or two wishes and a signature. Younger children can draw a picture, and an adult can write down what they say. This guide gives sentence starters for ages 3 to 10 so every child can write something that sounds like them.
If you are looking for the reply from Santa, see what to write in a letter from Santa instead.
A simple letter shape
- Greeting: “Dear Santa,”
- A thank-you or a hello: “Thank you for the toys last year.”
- Something kind I did: “This year I helped my brother.”
- My wishes: “I would like…”
- A question or sign-off: “Love, Maya”
Sentence starters by age
| Age | What they can do | Sentence starters |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Draw and dictate | “Dear Santa, I like…” “I drew you a…” |
| 4–5 | Circle, trace or copy short words | “I want a .” “I was kind when I .” |
| 6–7 | Write short sentences | “Thank you for . This year I . I hope you like cookies.” |
| 8–10 | Write a full letter | “How are the reindeer?” “I am working on .” “If you have room, I would love .” |
Examples
Age 3 (dictated): “Dear Santa. I like trains. I drew a train. Love, Sam.”
Age 5: “Dear Santa. I helped feed the dog. I want a puzzle. Love, Ana.”
Age 7: “Dear Santa. Thank you for last year. I learned to ride my bike. I would like a book about space. I will leave you cookies. Love, Jon.”
Age 9: “Dear Santa. I hope the elves are not too tired. This year I got better at math and helped my little sister with her shoes. If it fits in the sleigh, I would love a soccer ball. Thank you for everything you do. From, Priya.”
Ideas for children who can’t write yet
- Draw and tell. Ask, “What do you want to tell Santa?” and write their words under the picture.
- Circle and cut. Print a page with pictures of gifts and let the child circle what they like.
- Trace the name. Write their name in light gray or dotted letters to trace.
- Use stickers. Let them choose stickers for the wishes.
Make it more than a wish list
Ask a few questions before they start:
- What is something you are proud of this year?
- Who did you help?
- What would you like to ask Santa about the North Pole?
- What would you like to thank him for?
These steps keep the focus on kindness as well as gifts.
Where to send it
Some families put the letter by the fireplace, in an envelope on the porch, or in a special mailbox at home. Choose what fits your own tradition. Our printable Letter to Santa Kit has letter pages for ages 3 to 10, and the letter to Santa template page offers a simple page to start with.
Printables that go with this post
These are from my shop on Etsy, where you see the price in your local currency.
Letter to Santa Kit
18 pages · ages 3–10 · fillable reply letters · US Letter + A4 PDF
- Letters for 3 levels: draw & circle (3–5), fill in the blanks (5–7), lined letter (8+)
- 2 fillable reply letters from Santa + a fillable Nice List certificate
- Envelopes, North Pole stamps and labels, wish lists and a cookies-for-Santa placemat
Instant download on Etsy · print at home
Frequently asked questions
What should a child write in a letter to Santa?
A greeting, a thank-you, something kind they did, one or two wishes and a sign-off. Younger children can draw instead of write, and an adult can add the words.
How many things should a child ask Santa for?
One to three is a good limit. A short list teaches children to choose, and it keeps the letter from turning into a catalog.
How can a 3-year-old write a letter to Santa?
They can draw a picture, scribble their own name and tell an adult what to write. Circling pictures on a printed page also works.