Planning a family trip and want to make it truly unforgettable? As a parent, you know that children’s memories can be fleeting. That’s why encouraging your kids to keep a travel journal is a fantastic way to help them document their experiences, reflect on their adventures, and create lasting keepsakes. I’m often asked about the best travel journals for kids, and after years of family travel, I’ve explored various options to find what works best. For our family self-drive safari in Namibia, I knew a children’s travel journal was essential to help my little ones remember every incredible moment. Instead of relying on scattered phone notes and fleeting mental images, a dedicated journal becomes a treasure trove of their unique perspectives and discoveries.
Sunset in Namibia with silhouetted trees, representing memorable travel experiences for children
Here are some of the best children’s travel journals we’ve discovered, each offering unique features to suit different ages and travel styles:
Lonely Planet Kids Travel Journal: An Activity-Packed Adventure
The Lonely Planet Kids Travel Journal is more than just a journal; it’s an engaging activity book designed to spark creativity and exploration. Highly recommended by fellow travel enthusiasts, this journal is packed with prompts that guide children through their travel experiences. While it leans towards being an activity book, the prompts are what make it so effective for younger travelers. It encourages them to think about what they’re seeing, doing, and feeling, making journalling less daunting and more fun.
The Ultimate Travel Journal for Kids: Games and Guided Prompts
Similar in style to the Lonely Planet journal, The Ultimate Travel Journal for Kids also combines games and activities with thoughtful journalling prompts. This journal is excellent for keeping kids entertained on long journeys while simultaneously encouraging them to document their trip. The blend of fun activities and guided writing spaces makes it easy for children to get started and stay engaged throughout their travels. It’s a great option for families looking for a structured yet playful approach to travel journalling.
Kids’ Travel Journal: Simple and Straightforward Documentation
For a more streamlined approach, the Kids’ Travel Journal offers a simpler format. While it may have fewer games compared to the previous options, it still provides essential prompts to guide children through the journalling process. It includes sections for trip planning, packing lists, daily entries about their experiences, sketching pages, and even a fun rating system for each day. Initially, I opted for journals with more activities, but in hindsight, the simplicity of this journal might have been even more effective, especially for younger children who might be overwhelmed by too many distractions.
Kids Travel Journal: Designed for Older Children
The Kids Travel Journal (note the slightly different name from the previous one!) is geared towards slightly older children. The prompts in this journal are more advanced, encouraging kids to think more deeply about their travel experiences. It includes sections for noting things to see and do, dedicated spaces for drawing, and prompts to help remember key moments. If you have older children who are ready for more independent journalling, this could be an excellent choice.
Disney Travel Journal: Magic in Every Entry
For Disney enthusiasts, the Disney Travel Journal adds an extra sprinkle of magic to the journalling experience, specifically designed for Disney trips. This themed journal is filled with writing prompts and drawing spaces, all within a Disney context. It also includes fun features like ride rating areas, a “passport” for Epcot’s World Showcase, scavenger hunts for the major parks, and autograph sections for character meet-and-greets. It’s the perfect way to capture the enchantment of a Disney vacation.
The Classic Notebook: Embrace Creative Freedom
While structured journals are incredibly helpful, don’t underestimate the simplicity of a classic notebook. A blank notebook offers ultimate freedom and can easily double as a scrapbook. You can choose lined paper for writing, plain paper for drawing, or a mix of both. This option allows for complete customization, enabling your children to express their travel memories in any way they choose. While I initially opted for structured journals to guide my kids, a notebook can be a fantastic alternative for fostering independent creativity and personalized expression.
Sunset in Namibia with silhouetted trees, representing memorable travel experiences for children
Ultimately, the best children’s travel journal is the one that resonates with your child’s personality and travel style. Whether you choose a prompt-filled activity book or a simple notebook, the goal is to encourage them to engage with their travel experiences and create lasting memories.
Do you keep a travel journal? How about your kids? I’d love to hear what you use and any other tips you have for helping children remember their amazing travels!
By Emma Morrell
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