by Lauren Lynch
Keeping a travel journal can be as fun as it is functional if you add some artistic flair. You’ll have a beautiful reminder of your travels and something you’ll be proud to share with others.
In an earlier blog post, I shared why I think travel journaling is so important, so you may want to read that entry first. I have found them to be rewarding and helpful in so many ways and passionately recommend them as a way to remember details later and to relive some of the most enjoyable experiences in life — our travel adventures. I suggested both important and fun items to include.
Traveling – it leaves you speechless,
– Ibn Battuta
then turns you into a storyteller.
Using a Customizable Binder Journal
I had just purchased a new binder journal and promised to report back with my progress. I am very pleased with this journal option. Because it is a three-ring format, pages can be added, removed or rearranged at will. I’ve hole-punched pretty papers to use as dividers, created pockets to store small items in.
Anyone who enjoyed the scrapbooking craze (and likely still have hoarded supplies) will love this customizable book. Even if scrapbooking was not your thing, these binders are just great for adding small souvenirs and all the things you’d love to refer back to later. Punch three holes in any paper item, fold it to size and add it to the book. Glue postcards, flyers, menus, photos and more onto the thick paper pages.
I also shared a wishlist item — the Fujifilm Instax Share SP-3 Smartphone Printer and my husband bought us one! I downloaded the app to my smartphone and print wirelessly to the Instax printer. It prints adorable little photos that can be added to my travel journal immediately. Quick and easy!
The cover is made of heavy cardboard. I printed out a photo of one of our favorite campsites and decoupaged it onto the cover (using Mod Podge). You can get very crafty with this book if that’s your thing. The cover could also be painted on, then sprayed with a UV archival finish.
Life is either a daring adventure
– Helen Keller
or nothing at all.
Fun Journaling Supplies
I bought fun greenery stickers and washi tape to easily add small items to pages. Washi tape—if you’re not already familiar with it—is a colorful printed paper tape that is strong enough to hold paper to paper, yet also comes up or repositions easily if desired. I bought a really great Van Gogh design washi tape set that is so pretty for adding page borders or framing camping photos. (Warning: washi tape can get very addicting. They come in so many beautiful colors and patterns and are practical for so many crafty things.) They can be used to reinforce page edges where holes are punched.
Washi tape can also be used to create a tab or page marker. Create a pen holder for your journal by cutting a four-inch strip of Washi (double it up to create a thicker loop, if desired). Stick about an inch onto the desired location with the remaining two inches hanging off. Cut about an inch (depending on pen size) piece of tape and place it on the sticky side (to create a non-sticky area in the middle/inside of loop for the pen), then close the loop by sticking the remaining sticky area to the other side of the page.
Tape photos or souvenir items on one side, then flip open and tape on the other side to create a hinge for a flip-open feature on any page. This allows you to create peek-a-boo layers for added interest. See? Washi tape is just too fun and addicting!
I also recommend Sakura Gelly Roll pens to write on the black paper with. Watercolor pencils are also great travel art supplies that work well in journals. You’ll be able to sketch inspiring scenes along the way. (Read my blog posts below on the watercolor pencils I’ve experimented with for ideas…)
Journaling With Kids
Kids can enjoy journaling with age-appropriate activities and supplies. Keep it simple. Allow them to collect small souvenirs, share their favorite thing from each day of the trip — or even make it a travel activity where they log local bird or animal sightings, states they’ve traveled through, or parks and landmarks they’ve visited. Encourage them to collect leaves or flowers to press, postcards, photos of their adventures. (It’s great to refer back to when they have to write that “What I Did Over the Summer” essay 😉 )
Allow them to dream of places they’d love to visit. Starting a bucket list young will give them more direction when they’re old enough to travel on their own, to pursue school-related travel and to be world citizens as adults.
Preserve Memories in Whatever Way is Most Fun
Journaling can be part of the joy of the journey. Make it as simple or complex as you enjoy, just make some time for it. In years to come, you’ll be able to relive your adventures again and again!
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