To motivate children to journal they need to see journaling as fun and beneficial. This summer would be a perfect time to be creative. Journaling does not always have to be writing. Just the other day I went hiking and saw children rubbing different surfaces in nature right inside their ‘journal’ book. Not only can journaling be fun but it can be a learning experience for everyone involved.

Ideas for children’s journals this summer:

1. Geo Caching ~ A great family fun adventure. Mom, dad and kids choose a place to go find geo caching treasures. Take along a journal and have the children write about the location, coordinates, what was found, how long it took, what was left ~ just general facts about this particular geo caching find.

2. Nature’s Footprints ~ Take a day and go on a nature walk. During your walk look for different types of animal tracks. When an interesting one appears stop and have the children draw the tracks they see. Try to label the tracks with an animal name, write the date found, write who found the track ~ just information that makes this find memorable.

3. Nighttime Gazing ~ Cities are hard to do this but not impossible, in fact the challenge might make it more fun. When the sun has gone down go outside and spread a blanket. Have the kids lay on their backs and look up at the stars. Have them try to find constellations or make up a constellation they see. Then with a flashlight have them draw the constellation they see. If it is one they have made up make sure they name the constellation. Have them write the date and time, name of constellation, what they constellation might mean when someone saw it ~ just have fun with this one.

4. Early Morning Sounds ~ Instead of waking up and doing the morning routine break away and listen to the sounds around you. Have your kids sit quietly and only listen. Now have them write down the sounds they heard. Have them be specific, even draw a picture of what they think the sound(s) were. Have them write as many sounds as they can and then write about why listening can be important.

5. Favorite Cartoon or Movie ~ This takes some planning but can be great fun, especially when a parent is wanting to understand why their child likes certain programs. Watch an episode or a few minutes of a movie your child really likes. Then have them write the scene out that they saw. No helping them! Make sure you tell them the rule is they can only write what they saw. Now ask some important questions, like what was your favorite thing about this scene, what did you learn, how did you feel and so on. My favorite question to my nephews was always ‘What redeeming value did you see in that scene?’

Those few ideas should get you going with summer activities for you and your family. Journaling is not just writing it is discovering.

Below are a few children’s journaling prompts:

Writing Prompts: Summer Fun

~ I look forward to summer vacation because. . .
~ Summer is better than Spring because. . .
~ Summer is worse than Fall because. . .
~ The funniest memory I have is. . .
~ The best summer vacation I have ever had is. . .
~ The hottest day I remember is. . .
~ My favorite summer activity is. . .
~ My favorite summer sport is. . .
~ During summer I like to wear. . .
~ During summer I play with. . .

Until next time, keep on journaling