• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

What Do We Do All Day logo

  • Start Here
  • Books
    • Classics
      • 20th Century Classics
    • Early Chapter Books
    • Easy Readers
    • Folktales
    • Holiday Books
    • Middle Grade (8-12 years)
    • Nonfiction
    • Picture Books
    • Read Aloud Chapter Books
  • Games
    • Traditional Games
  • Kids Activities
    • Arts and Crafts
    • Literacy & Writing
    • Math
    • Playful Activities
    • Science
    • Toddler
  • Parenting
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Books for kids
  • Games
  • Indoor activities for kids
  • Parenting
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • ×
    You are here: Home / Literacy / Creative Journal Ideas for Kids

     

    Creative Journal Ideas for Kids

    10019 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    I've shared in the past how keeping a journal is an important part of my life and that I've attempted to instill in my kids a love of journaling. My experience of journaling with the kids has had its ups and downs and I want to share what I've tried, our successes and failures. I'll do that in an upcoming post, but for now I'm going to share some helpful and creative tips and ideas for getting started.

    Tips and creative journal ideas for kids.

    The following ideas are for writing journals and art journals, but kids will naturally mix the two forms. In fact, I would encourage them to draw in their diaries and write in their art journals. One of the most important things to remember, in my opinion, is to make the activity low pressure! Allow your kids to find their own way of doing things. (Note: affiliate links included below)

    Writing Journal Ideas

    Starting a preschool journal - a simple idea to encourage pre-writers

    Using a journal to build fine motor skills

    We love using our these question-a-day journals at dinner time. The daily prompts also provide good dinner time conversation.

    Happy thoughts journal for young kids (Homegrown Friends)

    Write back and forth with your kids with a mommy and me journal (East Coast Mommy)

    Science journals and notebooks (KC Edventures)

    Poetry journals (Buggy and Buddy)

    Helping young writers find journal topics (The Measured Mom)

    Tips for journaling with young kids (Mama Smiles)

    Need journal prompts? Write Shop the best place to go. She has tons of free journal prompt ideas for kids.

    Art journal ideas for kids

    Art Journal Ideas

    Zentangle art journal - one of the easiest ways to create journal pages

    We have gone through several of these mixed media art journals. They are our absolute favorites!

    Laugh art journal prompts (Creative with Kids)

    Tips for writing and drawing in journals with kids, including prompts and types of materials. (Picklebums)

    Art sketch books (Buggy and Buddy)

    Beginning art journaling with kids (The Artful Parent)

    Making the journal special

    Cool journals for kids - these include blank page journals, as well as those with built in prompts.

    Journal made from recycled kid art

    Family adventure journals (Go Explore Eature)

    Modge podge book cover craft (Crafts by Amanda)

    Decorating a composition journal (Crafts by Amanda)

    Do you keep a journal? Do your kids? What are your favorite ways to keep the creative juices flowing?

    Tips for creative journaling with kids.

    Want Your Kids to Love Being Unplugged?
    Subscribe to our newsletter and as a thank you, receive 10 waiting games kids can play anytime anywhere.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    « 9 Amazing Read Aloud Books for Summer
    Library Coloring Page (and Summer Reading Log) »
    10019 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Meredith @ Homegrown Friends says

      May 07, 2015 at 10:25 am

      Great post Erica! Pinned and scheduled to share. Thanks for including our Happy Journals 🙂

      Reply
    2. Kim Kautzer says

      May 09, 2015 at 9:50 am

      Thank you for including our WriteShop writing prompts with your readers. Sharing this post on social media ... so many great links and ideas!

      Reply
      • Erica MomandKiddo says

        May 13, 2015 at 1:54 pm

        Thanks for all your great prompts.

        Reply
    3. Felicity Bent says

      August 07, 2015 at 4:27 am

      Thanks so much for this idea. I keep a journal but wouldn't have thought of doing it with children. I'm currently teaching a very challenging class of 7-year-olds and introduced them to the idea this week. I bought them each a 10c exercise book and created a lesson around journaling. Well, they loved the idea. Some of the girls love writing anyway so that was a done-deal. However, I was really pleased to see that a couple of the less able boys were really into it. These are kiddos who REALLY need to practise their writing and unfortunately they're at a school where they don't do much of this. So thanks again for the idea.

      Reply
    4. Carol Cameleon says

      August 30, 2015 at 5:24 pm

      I've bookmarked this to explore at my 'leisure'... thanks Erica 🙂

      Reply
    5. Carol Cameleon says

      August 30, 2015 at 5:26 pm

      I've bookmarked this. Great links and ideas. Thanks Erica 🙂

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Erica! I believe parents can stay sane without giving their kids an electronic device. Learn how!

    More about me →

    Newsletter

    Join over 15,000 subscribers who said "Yes! I want to unplug my kids!" We'll send you 10 waiting games your kids can play anytime, anywhere. Join here -->

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About the Site

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and join over 15,000 other families finding ways reduce screen time.

    Other Stuff

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

    Copyright © 2023 What Creative Media LLC

    Want Your Kids to Love Being Unplugged?
    Subscribe to our newsletter and as a thank you, receive 10 waiting games kids can play anytime anywhere.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    Want More Free Activity Ideas?
    Join our email list and as a thank you gift I'll send you a list of 10 waiting games that will make your kids smarter.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    Want your kids to love being unplugged?
    Join our newsletter and as a thank you, I'll send you a list of 10 waiting games.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you keep using this website we will assume you are OK with that. Read our privacy policy for more.OKRead more