Last Updated on July 4, 2025
Family trips are full of memorable moments—new places, new foods, lots of giggles, and sometimes a few sibling squabbles. But once you’re back home, all those special little memories can fade fast. A simple solution? Travel journaling for kids!
Not only does it help them hold onto those experiences, it also keeps them entertained during downtime (think: long car rides or rainy vacation days). The best part? You don’t need anything fancy to get started.
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Why Kids Should Try Travel Journaling
Travel journaling is more than just fun—it builds valuable skills. It helps kids:
- Reflect on their experiences
- Practice writing and storytelling
- Boost creativity with doodles and drawings
- Stay present and observant during the trip
Plus, it gives you a priceless keepsake filled with their unique perspective!
Easy Travel Journal Ideas for Kids
Let your child’s personality guide the format. Here are a few easy, low-prep ideas:
1. Daily Highlights
Have them jot down 2–3 fun things they did each day. Add prompts like:
- What made you laugh today?
- What was your favorite thing you ate?
- Did anything surprise you?
2. Postcard Collection
Buy a postcard at each stop and have your child write a note on the back. When you get home, punch a hole in the corner and keep them all on a ring.
3. Ticket Stub Time Capsule
Encourage kids to glue or tape souvenirs into their journals—think museum tickets, snack wrappers, or hotel keycards.
4. Draw What You Saw
Not every kid loves writing. Let them draw their favorite part of the day instead—whether it’s a beach scene, an epic ice cream cone, or the family dog snoozing in the backseat.
5. Interview a Family Member
Help them come up with a few simple questions to ask a sibling or parent, like:
- What’s your favorite part of the trip so far?
- What’s something new you learned?
- Would you come back here again?
Keep It Fun (Not a Chore!)
Here are a few quick tips to keep journaling from feeling like “homework”:
- Let them pick a fun notebook or printable journal
- Keep prompts short and silly (or skip them if they’re on a roll)
- Set aside just 10 minutes each evening to reflect
- Offer stickers, markers, or stamps to decorate pages
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Travel Journal for Kids
To make it super simple, I’ve created a ready-to-use Travel Journal for Kids filled with fun prompts, doodle pages, packing lists, and memory pages.
» Click here to grab your printable travel journal
Travel Activity Books
From road trip bingo to camping games and airport scavenger hunts, my Printable Activity Books will keep the vacation activities going!
🛒 Shop the Travel Activity Book Collection
You don’t need a big trip to make big memories. Whether you’re headed to the mountains, the beach, or Grandma’s house, giving your kids a way to capture their experiences makes the journey even more special.
So pack a few pencils and that travel journal—you’ll thank yourself later.
