Mailbox Game

Abstract

A mailbox game includes a mailbox having a rectangular container or box with an opening, a lid and a hinge that attaches the lid to the box to cover the opening. The game also includes play stamps having an adhesive backing. The mailbox may have a rotating flag that is attached to the box and there may also be a dial with which to provide a mailbox status of full or empty. The mailbox game includes a method of providing a toy mailbox, mounting the mailbox on or adjacent to a door inside of a residence, depositing mail in the mailbox, and manipulating a signal device to indicate that mail has been deposited into the mailbox. The mailbox game may include writing on a marking area positioned on the mailbox to be viewed by a person passing by the mailbox or depositing mail therein.

1 . A method of playing a mail game, said method comprising:
 mounting a toy mailbox to a door of a room;   depositing mail in the mailbox; and   manipulating a signal device to indicate that mail is deposited in said mail box.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said mounting includes mounting said toy mailbox with an adhesive. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said mounting includes mounting said toy mailbox with one or more magnets. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said depositing mail includes adhering a play stamp to said mail deposited in said mailbox. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said manipulating said signal device includes raising a flag. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said manipulating said signal device includes illuminating a light. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said mounting includes mounting said toy mailbox inside a residence. 
   
   
       8 . A method of playing a mailbox game, comprising:
 providing a mailbox having a generally rectangular shape and defining an open top, said mailbox having a lid pivotally mounted to said box with a hinge for selectively covering said open top;   mounting said mailbox to a door of a bedroom on the inside of a residence;   depositing mail in said mailbox; and   manipulating a signal device to indicate that mail is deposited in said mailbox.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said mailbox includes a writing area on an external surface of said mailbox; said method further comprising writing a message on said writing area so that said message is viewable without opening said lid. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said writing area is an erasable surface. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said manipulating said signal device includes raising a flag. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said manipulating said signal device includes illuminating a light. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said depositing mail includes adhering a play stamp to said mail deposited in said mailbox. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said mailbox includes side walls having generally rounded edges. 
   
   
       15 . A method of playing a mail game, comprising the steps of:
 providing a toy mailbox having a generally rectangular shape and defining an open top, said mailbox having a lid pivotally mounted to said box with a hinge for selectively covering said open top, said mailbox including a writing area on an external surface of said mailbox;   mounting said mailbox to one of a door, wall, dresser, or bed of a bedroom on the inside of a residence;   depositing mail in said mailbox; and   manipulating a signal device to indicate that mail is deposited in said mailbox.   
   
   
       16 . The mailbox game as in  claim 15 , wherein said writing area is an eraseable surface. 
   
   
       17 . The mailbox game as in  claim 16 , wherein said step of manipulating said signal device includes one of raising a flag or illuminating a light. 
   
   
       18 . The mailbox game as in  claim 16 , further including the step of sending through a traditional mail service at least one card to a third party not living in the same residence in which said toy mailbox is mounted that includes words urging said third party to send letters or gifts through said traditional mail service to said residence in which said toy mailbox is mounted for further distribution by occupants of said residence to said toy mailbox. 
   
   
       19 . The mailbox game as in  claim 16 , wherein said step of depositing mail includes adhering a play stamp to said mail deposited in said mailbox. 
   
   
       20 . The mailbox game as in  claim 15 , wherein said mailbox includes side walls having generally rounded edges.