I gave them a handwritten card and $25 for Walmart so they could get their own treats or bug repellent or sunscreen or whatever they needed to feel comfortable. I thought about homemade bread and fruit, but I think a lot of cops are wary right now (rightfully so) of food potentially being contaminated (ie the glass in the DC National Guard pizza). Another girl brought them a really beautiful handwritten poster.

If you are a crafts person, maybe a patriotic painting or knitted blanket. Maybe a cute photo of your son, or get him to draw himself as a cop in the future. I’m working with a neighbor kid on a big mural on bulletin board paper for the Asheville PD. Maybe patrol care kits (bug repellent, sunscreen, bottled water, hand sanitizer, granola bars, a little thank you note, etc.).

Forgot to add, depending on your son’s age, maybe he could do beaded keychains (you can get police theme beads or black and blue beads) or maybe something like a splatter art with patriotic colors (get six small canvasses, use painters tape to tape off abstract lines or shapes, give your son paintbrushes and straws and red and blue paint (outside on tarp ideally) and let him splatter to his hearts content. When it’s still wet, take off the tape and have a really amazing art display. I use it all the time with my kindergartners. Super easy but looks store bought.