As parents, we all want to create unforgettable memories with our children during our family travels. One way to capture these special moments and encourage our kids to engage with their surroundings is by keeping a travel journal. Travel journals not only serve as a keepsake but also foster creativity, literacy skills, and a deeper appreciation for the journey .

Encourage your child to collect mementos from your trip, such as ticket stubs, brochures, or postcards, and glue them into a scrapbook or notebook. They can then write captions, draw pictures, or add stickers to personalize their journal entries (Bisson, 2019). This “scrapbook-style journal” is a fun and easy way to get started.

Provide your child with a sketchbook and colored pencils or markers. Encourage them to draw their favorite parts of the day, such as a scenic view, a delicious meal, or a fun activity. They can then write a few sentences describing their experience. This “sketch and write” approach allows kids to express themselves through both art and writing.

Create an “alphabet book” by having your child find objects or experiences that start with each letter of the alphabet during your trip. For example, “A” could be for “Airplane” or “Adventure,” and “B” could be for “Beach” or “Boat” (Bisson, 2019). This activity encourages kids to explore their surroundings and learn new vocabulary words.

Give your child a simple diary or notebook and encourage them to write about their daily experiences, thoughts, and feelings. Younger children can dictate their entries to you, while older children can write independently (Bisson, 2019). This “travel diary” is a great way for kids to reflect on their experiences and express themselves.

Before your trip, have your child create postcards with drawings or paintings of their favorite things. During your travels, encourage them to write and send these postcards to family members or friends, creating a fun exchange of memories. This “postcard exchange” activity fosters creativity and connection with loved ones.

Keeping a travel journal with your kids is a wonderful way to create lasting memories and foster their creativity and literacy skills. Remember, the key is to make the process fun and engaging for your child, so they can enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

Please don’t forget to read these other travel blogpost: Like this one on travel tips and this one on taking small kids on city trips.

We hope it helps,

The Smart Parenting Blog Team

Reference:
Bisson, C. (2019). The benefits of keeping a travel journal with kids. Family Travel Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.familytraveller.com/family-travel-magazine/the-benefits-of-keeping-a-travel-journal-with-kids/