What to write in your first pen pal letter
Start your first pen pal letter with a friendly hello, a little about what you enjoy and a question that is easy to answer. Share your interests and country, while keeping your full name, school, address and social handles private. A short, warm letter gives someone a place to start writing back.
How to open your letter
A simple “Hello!” is enough. Use a nickname and say something about yourself that does not give away where to find you. There is no need for a formal introduction.
- Start with a friendly greeting.
- Say what you enjoy: “I love K-pop and trying new food.”
- Say why you are writing: “I would love to hear about your day.”
What to share about yourself
Pick a few things you would enjoy talking about again: music, food, a hobby or a small part of your day. You can say which country you are in without naming your town, school or a place you visit every day.
“Today I tried making rice balls” gives someone more to reply to than a long list of facts. Leave room to learn about each other over time.
Questions to ask a new pen pal
Choose one or two questions that fit your letter.
- What song have you been playing lately?
- What food would you recommend from your country?
- Is there something you like to cook?
- What do you like doing on a quiet day?
- What are you watching at the moment?
- What would you like to learn to do?
- What is a favourite word in your language?
- Which season do you like best, and why?
- What small thing made you smile today?
An example first letter
Here is a short letter you can use as a starting point. Change the details to things you really enjoy.
Hello! I love K-pop and making rice balls. I am in Canada, and today I tried a new filling for lunch. It was a little messy, but I would make it again! What song have you been playing lately? Is there a food from your country you think I should try? I would love to hear from you.
What not to share in a first letter
Keep your full name, school, home address and social handles out of your letter. Leave out your phone number, exact location and photos of yourself too.
Sea Pals does not show someone new your birthday, exact location or username. Social handles and links cannot go in letters. Photos in chat need messages from both people and the receiver’s permission first.
How Sea Pals carries your letter
Write about something you love in Sea Pals, and Mochi the otter carries your bottle letter to a few people with shared interests; anyone who writes back becomes your friend. To draft a letter first, use the free letter paper tool for words you can share by link, then write your bottle letter in the app.