Journaling is a wonderful way for children to express themselves, develop their creativity, and build confidence in their writing skills. However, not all kids naturally gravitate towards writing in a journal—some may find it intimidating, while others might simply not know where to start.
The good news? Journaling can be fun and interactive with the right approach! In this post, I’ll share simple and engaging ways to encourage kids to journal, including a lucky dip journaling activity that makes writing feel like a game. Plus, I’ve created a free printable journaling prompts sheet to help spark ideas—download it below!
1️⃣ Make It Fun & Interactive 🎲
One of the best ways to get kids excited about journaling is by making it feel like a game rather than a task. That’s where the Lucky Dip Journaling Activity comes in!
How It Works:
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Print out the free journal prompts sheet (download below!)
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Cut out each prompt and fold them into small pieces.
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Place them in a jar, bowl, or envelope.
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Each day (or whenever they journal), let your child pick a random prompt!
This element of surprise makes journaling feel like an adventure rather than a chore. Plus, it helps eliminate the common struggle of “I don’t know what to write!”
📹 Watch how I set up the Lucky Dip Journal Prompts Activity in this video:
📩 Download your free printable journaling prompts here!
2️⃣ Let Kids Choose Their Journal 📖
Giving children ownership over their journaling experience helps build excitement and motivation. A great way to do this is by letting them pick their own special journal that reflects their personality and interests.
Some kids might love a space-themed journal, while others may be drawn to unicorns, ocean creatures, or dinosaurs. When a journal feels personal and special, kids are much more likely to use it!
💡 Check out our personalised kids' journals here, more themes are in development so if you are after something that you can't see just send me an email and we can create it for you.
3️⃣ Keep It Pressure-Free ⏳
For kids who are reluctant writers, journaling should be a stress-free and enjoyable experience. Encourage them to write however they feel comfortable—whether that’s a few words, a full story, or even just doodles.
✏️ There’s no right or wrong way to journal! Some kids might love writing long diary entries, while others prefer drawing pictures with captions. Both are valid forms of self-expression.
4️⃣ Use Prompts to Get Them Started ✍️
Even with a fun journal, some children might still feel stuck on what to write about. That’s where writing prompts come in!
Here are some examples of kid-friendly journal prompts:
✅ “If you could invent a new holiday, what would it be?” 🎉 ✅ “What’s the best dream you’ve ever had?” 😴 ✅ “Draw your dream adventure!” 🏝️ ✅ “What are three things that made you smile today?” 😊 ✅ “If you had a pet dinosaur, what would you name it?” 🦖
🔗 Download the full set of printable journal prompts here!
5️⃣ Make It a Special Daily or Weekly Habit 🌟
Journaling doesn’t have to be a daily activity, but setting aside consistent time for it can help make it a habit. Some ideas include:
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Bedtime journaling – a calming way to reflect on the day.
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Morning journaling – setting intentions for the day ahead.
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Weekend journaling – a relaxing activity for quiet afternoons.
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Family journaling time – writing together as a shared activity.
Even just once or twice a week can help kids build a love for writing!
Start Journaling Today! 🎉
Journaling is a fantastic tool for helping kids develop creativity, mindfulness, and emotional expression. By making it fun, interactive, and stress-free, you can help even the most reluctant writers enjoy putting their thoughts on paper.
✅ If you haven't already Download your free journaling prompts and try the Lucky Dip activity today!
✨ Want to make journaling even more special? Check out our personalised kids’ journals for a fun and engaging writing experience!