How To Create A Travel Journal
Paige Hull
Travel is and has always been our number one passion! That didn't stop when we had children. In fact, it became more important as we wanted to share that passion with them and all the benefits travel gives you.
Creativity is another deep passion of mine, and creativity along with travel, is why The Vintage Round Top exists. But, that’s for another story (unless you want to read about it now).
Those two passions also generated the family activity of travel journaling. We’ve been creating them together since they were little and loved looking back at them to laugh at funny memories or travel misshapes as well as the sweet surprises and special family bonding experiences. Sadly, most of them were damaged in one of the floods we encountered in Houston. But, we still have a few.
On each trip, we’d buy notebooks for everyone and ask the kids to write down experiences or parts of their day not only to remember but also to create positive journaling habits. Our kiddos took all their own creative ways into journaling and these habits continued throughout our travels.
On our most recent trip to NYC we provided them again to continue the tradition even as they are going into their young adulthoods.
Most of the creating is done once we get home, but preparation before hand is key! Here are a few things to consider ahead of time if you’re interested in creating family journals of your own.
1
Take LOTS of photos, you can never take enough. That’s including group selfies (even if it’s embarrassing). Getting images of street, marquee, shop signs, buildings, nature, your menu, meal, etc. Anything that will help tell the story of your trip. You’ll be happy you did when you flip through the pages years later.
2
Bring a plastic folder / container to store memorabilia so it doesn’t get damaged or overly crinkled. Bring something smaller you can put in your purse or backpack to keep receipts, tickets, etc. until you get back to your hotel to move them over to the container.
3
Buy or Keep Memorabilia:
lots of stickers, stamps, maps
ticket stubs, wristbands, play bills
postcards, matches, subway or train tickets
hotel napkins, card keys, paper coasters
business cards, merch hang tags, flyers
magazines or newspapers to cut out dates, words and phrases to use
feathers, leaves, and natural elements
4
Bring blank journals and a small box of basic supplies - colored pencils, crayons, tape, stencils to use on the trip. Again, you’ll do most of your work at home, but is useful if you have rainy days or some extra time if y’all get the urge to create.
We’ve rounded up a few supplies we like to use to make it easy for you to get started if you don’t already journal.
The beauty of this activity is there are no rules! We reminded the kids when they were young this is not a competition. It’s a way for them to express their own story and experience about the trip and create however they want.
So, even if you don’t consider yourself creative - you can still do this activity. It can be as simple or artistic as you’d like. The main goal is to keep your memories together where you can revisit and enjoy them for years to come.
I’ll be sharing pics of the journal I’m working on now periodically. It takes time, but brings me joy and I hope it will for you as well.
We’d love to see the journals you and your family make. Send us your pics!
xo,
Paige