I’m not going to lie–I am a journal addict. As such, I’ve tried a lot of journals over the years, from popular journals on the market to homemade ones. Today, I’m sharing my absolute favorites!

The Most Amazing Journals to Use with Your Children

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The best journals for families

I am sharing our favorite journals. I’ve included a little bit of everything here including:

• Journals for those who have toddlers
• Mother-daughter journal
• Mother-son journal
• Five-year journal for moms
• Three-year journal for children
• Growth-mindset journal

When you are finished reading, I’d love to hear your favorites!

Between Mom and Me: Mother-Son Journal

I gave these journals to my boys last Christmas. I’ll be honest- they don’t write in them as much as my daughter does in hers, but they do enjoy our back-and-forth.

I love that they are writing in a silly, fun, no-pressure way. When they feel like writing, they leave the journal outside my bedroom door and I write back that evening. They wake up to a response and it makes them so happy.

I know this is something we will save and look back on years in the future and I’m so glad we decided to try it out.

Big Life Journal

Recommended for children ages 7 and up, the Big Life Journal is a growth mindset journal for kids. It is divided into 26 weeks and is designed to be used once per week.

The Big Life Journal is designed to help children develop a growth mindset. Rather than believing that their intelligence and skills are fixed, children with a growth mindset believe that they can use effort and strategies to continually grow and improve.

Together, a child and his or her “Journal Buddy” (a parent, grandparent, sibling, or caregiver) read, write, and discuss a variety of topics each week.

The child and his or her Journal Buddy discuss these subjects. The Big Life Journal incorporates stories, illustrations, poems, and activities to help children and dive deep.

 

Five Minute Journal: A Happier You in 5 Minutes a Day! (adult and child versions available)

I started using the Five Minute Journal every morning and evening. It’s super-simple but is science-based and helps to boost gratitude and mindfulness. I enjoyed it quite a bit and so at the start of our last homeschool year, I gave each of my kiddos the child version. We have been journaling together each morning and evening and it’s been a wonderful, connected experience.

Just Between Us: Mother & Daughter: A No-Stress, No-Rules Journal

I gave this journal to my daughter last Christmas and she loves it. 

She writes to me all the time. Many nights, when I go upstairs to bed, I find the journal waiting for me. I always take the time to reply to her thoughts. That way, she wakes up to a message.

She loves this tradition. I know this because she tells me all the time. It is my hope that we are building a connection that will help her to always feel comfortable sharing her thoughts with me.

My Quotable Kid: A Parents’ Journal of Unforgettable Quotes

The reality is, you could just buy a blank journal with some funky cover and use it as a quote book, but this is a neat idea and it is a fun and affordable gift.

A friend recommended this book to me years ago, after reading some of oldest son’s funny quotes on Facebook. I ended up loving the concept so much that I got one for each child, although you could get one and use it for everyone if that is easier for your family.

These journals are hardcover, so they are durable, and they are small in size. I have them in a junk drawer in our kitchen for easy access. If someone says something hysterical, it’s easy to pull it out and jot it down.

And… if you’re having a bad day and you’re just about ready to auction off one of your children to the very first bidder, it’s nice to pull out and remember that sometimes they can be quite funny and cute. It’s an instant bad mood killer.

Q&A a Day for Kids: A Three-Year Journal

Last year, our family started a new tradition.

Most mornings, my kids write a couple sentences in these journals. Each day has a different writing prompt and space for three years’ worth of answers.

I think this journal will be amazing to look back and see the previous years’ answers!

(And, shhh! Don’t tell them I am counting this as part of their writing for the year!)

Q&A a Day for Moms: A 5-Year Journal

When my kiddos write in the above journal, I write in mine.

Let’s face it- the best way to encourage children to write is to let them see us writing! By making journal time an event, children realize it is special.

I treasure the time spent writing with my children, even if we can only squeeze in a few minutes. I know it is worth it!

Here is an idea for journal lovers who also adore art…

Check out our Doodle Diaries! They are calming and super-easy to implement.

I have been utterly amazed by how these Doodle Diaries calm my children down almost instantly. And I’ll be honest here: it calms me down, too!

Do you love amazing homeschool resources? We do, too!

Here is an idea for journal lovers who adore nature…

We absolutely love to nature journal. Read more here!

And this is not a journal, but I want to park it here…

Have you read Wonder with your kiddos?

We absolutely loved the Audible version. I had to use an audiobook because I’ve read Wonder before and I cried the entire time. I needed backup. Thanks, Audible!

(By the way, audiobooks are not cheating. They just help families to read aloud MORE.)

Anyway, soon after reading the book, I discovered THIS:

365 Days of Wonder Mr. Browne’s Precepts: A Quote Every Day of the Year About Courage, Friendship, Love, and Kindness features a quote a day about kindness, courage, friendship, and love.

I plan to use it daily. It will spark important family conversations and it makes for excellent copywork!!

I love it so much that I added it to my 50+ Educational Stocking Stuffers post… because it’s that good.

Love writing? Or, do you want to inspire more writing at home?

• 10 of the Best Language Arts Gifts: Affordable and Fun
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• How to Get Kids to Write Thank You Notes in 4 Easy Steps
• 20+ Fantastic Reading and Language Arts Games
• 100 Games and Picture Books for Play-Based Learning

Do you love family read alouds?

Here are some related articles:

• Coffee and Books: A 5-Day Series
• How to Raise Readers: 10 Tips for Parents
• Books to Help Parents Grow Readers
• Rock Your Read Alouds with This Simple Trick
• When Your Read Aloud Routine is in a Rut
• How to Boost Your Child’s Read-Aloud Confidence
• What to Do When Bedtime Reading is Giving You the Blues

Do you love fantastic children’s books, too?

Now, it’s your turn. Tell me: Do you have a favorite journal? Share here!