How do you make writing fun for young ones?

One of my longer term goals for this fall was to get R more comfortable with writing.  There's no great rush; I feel no need to drill her or get her handwriting to any certain level.  For me it's all about creating a regular habit of writing at least a little every day.  It's about familiarity and comfort in doing something she'll be doing for the rest of her life.

We've had a hard time with handwriting when I've tried it in the past though.  I think this was because I really just didn't know how to approach it.  I have a lot of handwriting paper with the colored solid and dotted lines, so I think I was a little overanxious about getting her to write all of her letters just so.  But whenever I attempted it with her, it turned into a bit of a battle.  She ended up bored, and I frustrated.  So I gave us a bit of a break this last week.

In planning for this week, I decided to revisit writing and this time I brainstormed a little about ways to make it fun.  (I actually have to keep reminding myself that I have four-year-old and not to expect so much!)  So here were the ideas I came up with, two of which we tried with great success today:

• Make a treasure hunt for Daddy using sticky notes
• Write back and forth to each other instead of talking for fifteen minutes
• Copy words or sentences from books or movies around the house
• Start a Christmas wish list
• Write notes or letters to friends or family members
• Create labels for items around the house
• Make a menu for dinner

I'm sure I could think of more if I took the time; this was just my quick brainstorm list.  The point is that before I can do anything effectively with the girls, they have to really want to do it.  I'm left with the option to either follow their fancies, or inspire them to fancy my goals.  ;)