I came up with the idea of a printable kids’ travel journal because traveling with kids can be challenging. That’s the nicest way I can put it. It isn’t always total anguish, but you never know how it’s going to go. This is frustrating because as you may well know, just getting them in the car sometimes can be a marathon. Whether it’s infants screaming because you stopped the car, or toddlers asking “Are we there yet?” There is a lot that parents have to deal with all while keeping safety top of mind.
Air travel can be equally challenging (and we do not need air travel to be any more challenging, okay?) The problem is that travel while exciting to us can be boring to kids. When kids get bored, you know about it. That’s why I came up with a kid’s travel journal. It keeps my kids engaged and helps them to be more active participants in the traveling we do.
CLICK IMAGE TO DOWNLOADHelping Kids Reflect and Articulate
The main goal I had with this kid’s travel journal, other than keeping my kids occupied is getting them to connect with the experiences we are having when we travel. This exercise allows kids to look back at what the day held by recalling the weather conditions. Writing their moods and emotions, and other questions about their day helps them thoughtfully express themselves. A travel journal is an excellent tool for getting kids to be more expressive and focused on what is going on around them rather than what’s happening on the touchscreen of a mobile device.
Fun Activity For Kids
Beyond helping kids to engage more with their surroundings, I’ve found that kids really have fun with their travel journals. They get to answer questions about themselves, but more than that the questions push them to think about things they might have considered. That’s intriguing for kids who might not get many opportunities for that level of introspection and it helps them to share their feelings better because they have reflected on what those feelings are and where they come from. That validation is empowering and it makes them want to journal even more.
Aside from the questions about the travel day, the kids’ travel journal also has a picture of the day section, where kids can explore their creativity and draw whatever they are inspired to draw. They get some interesting ideas after they have been prompted to self-reflect so much, so it’s always a lot of fun to see what ideas they come up with.
What You Can Do With a Travel Journal
Keep of a kids’ travel journal handy for any time you leave on a vacation. Travel journals can make vacations better by anchoring experiences and lending some perspective at the same time. These journals are a great way to remember important trips as you look back on the questions and the artwork that are prompted by each day. Add some photos and compile finished journals to make a book of family vacations as seen through a child’s eyes.
Check out my other travel tips printables:
- Road Trip Planner: Printable Safety, Preparedness, and Budget Worksheets
- Planning a Road Trip? You’ll Want this Road Trip Activities Printable to Keep Your Kids Entertained
