Encourage the Kids to Write in Their Journals This Summer!
When the word “Summer” comes to mind, what do you instantly think of? I think of the hot summer sun and lying out on the beach while watching my girls build sandcastles. While summer is supposed to be fun and exciting, it should also be a time of building solid memories. Just recently, I decided to start a summer journal with my girls about all of our summer adventures. You can even include your little ones who are not in the writing phase of development. They can color or glue pictures of their memories in a snap.
Whether it is through one family journal or allowing each child to make their own, Summer journaling is an educational way to keep kids involved in their summer adventures while school is out.
I have discovered that there are a variety of ways you can have your child create a summer journal. Here are a few ideas to help get you started:
- Purchase a plane spiral notebook for your child to decorate and make unique. Older children can add the date and what they did that day. Including pictures is a perfect addition to this easy summer journal.
- Put together a scrapbook journal. Have children stick pictures inside of the scrapbook and write a caption of what it means to them.
- I’m a Michigan Kid Passport by Bower Family Books. I found this awesome booklet in a Mackinac City bookstore. It was only $3.95 (or $3.79 if you purchase directly from their website) and a very clever idea. If you spend your vacations in northern Michigan or even east, west, and south of the state, I’m a Michigan Kid Passport allows your child to fill in where they have visited such as lakes, museums, etc. I can’t wait to make use of it throughout the year as well.
- You can purchase inexpensive journals at Walmart, Target, etc. Many of them come in a variety of fun themes perfect for your child’s personality.
- Paper hole punch a variety of colored paper into a binder. Children can decorate the front with stickers etc., I think binder journals are fun because you can place the dates and year on the side and place into a memory box or on a shelf for your child to look at each time they want to look through their journals.
- If you want something quick but creative and memorable, make a wall mural of pictures and captions of your vacation and summer fun. When it’s finished, you can fold it up nicely and place in a memory box.
These ideas don’t have to stop here. You can really get creative when it comes to summer journaling with your child. Do you have any journaling ideas you can share with us? Please feel free to share your thoughts and ideas with us in the comment section below!
Written by Lindsey Clair
