Holidays, vacations, and breaks give children the opportunity to explore the world around them, try new things, and connect with family and friends. More than that though, these experiences are valuable moments for self-reflection, emotional growth, and greater self-awareness. We know we keep banging on about the importance of self awareness – it is THE most helpful thing for kids to learn fro a young age though, and there is no reason why using a holiday journal cannot be a way to help them to start this, no matter their age. You can even do one too, to help your own growth! Holiday journals are a simple yet powerful tool that can help both you and your children process experiences and start to build healthy mental habits.
Why reflection matters for children
Reflection is more than just revisiting memories. For our kids it can help them to:
- Process what they’ve learned during their time off.
- Recognize and express emotions about their experiences.
- Build confidence by documenting growth and achievements, and finally
- Feel gratitude, which has been shown to boost mental well-being. You can check out our gratitude journal from last month to help with this if you have the time.
By engaging in reflective practices, children are not only given a voice but are also encouraged to validate their perceptions and emotional responses. This sets the foundation for positive mental health and emotional awareness.
The role of our holiday journal
This holiday journal is specifically designed to guide children through simple, structured prompts, helping them reflect on their experiences. Here are some ways it supports self-awareness and emotional growth:
- Structure for reflection
Children benefit from targeted prompts that encourage them to think critically and deeply about their time off.
For example, the journal might include sections such as:- “Tried Something New””My Favorite Photo This Break””An Interesting Place I Went To””The Highlight of My Holiday”
- Promotes emotional expression
The journal provides a safe space for children to articulate their feelings. For instance:- Writing about “I will miss…” allows kids to acknowledge loss or transition, helping them process emotions tied to the end of the holiday.
- Reflecting on family experiences (“My Family and I…”) strengthens bonds by remembering shared joys or overcoming difficulties together.
- Gratitude and positivity
Prompts like “I look forward to going back to school because…” shift the focus toward optimism. They guide children toward finding joy in what’s to come, which is a critical life skill.
Building confidence Through reflection
Journaling isn’t just about recounting the past; it helps children see how far they’ve come. For example:
- Noting a new activity they’ve tried (“Tried Something New”) highlights their bravery and willingness to step out of their comfort zone.
- Writing about a favorite moment or photo fosters self-esteem, showing them that their choices and preferences matter.
Even the act of keeping a journal builds self-discipline and a sense of accomplishment. Over time, children see a collection of their growth, reinforcing a positive, confident self-image.
Supporting emotional awareness in everyday life
The process of journaling provides kids with a roadmap to understand and name their emotions. For instance:
- When closing in on the “highlight” or “interesting moments,” they may uncover why such memories stand out — whether it was connection, joy or curiosity.
- When documenting challenges or things they missed, children can learn to cope and strategize positive ways of handling those feelings.
This self-exploration can translate into better emotional regulation and interpersonal skills. Children become more adept at understanding their feelings and, in turn, navigating relationships around them.
Tips for schools, homeschoolers, and parents
This holiday journal can be adapted to fit various environments, regardless of schooling method.
For schools:
- Teachers can incorporate journaling into their post-holiday curriculum, encouraging students to share and discuss highlights, fostering classroom community and empathy.
For homeschoolers:
- Parents can use it as a hands-on creative writing exercise that aligns with social-emotional learning goals.
For parents:
- Journaling can become a bedtime activity, peacefully winding down the day while reinforcing positive memories.
- Parents can co-reflect with their children, sharing their insights and fostering open communication.
Download your simple relfective holiday journal now
Encouraging children to document their holiday experiences via a journal is more than just a fun activity. It’s an opportunity for growth, connection, and self-awareness. By engaging with targeted prompts, kids can better understand their emotions, build their confidence, and approach life transitions with optimism. Whether you’re a teacher, homeschooler, or parent, a holiday journal is a wonderful way to offer children the tools they need today for a healthier and happier tomorrow. Why not download it now?
We really hope you like this activity from KiddyCharts, do take a look at some of our other journal activities while you are on the site:
Other journalling articles on KiddyCharts
Here are some more journalling ideas that you might like to try both yourself and with your kids on KiddyCharts
Gardening journal for kids: My seed journal
Do your kids do a spot of gardening - if they do then this could be for you - check it out now!
Positive writing prompts for kids emotional development #31DaysOfLearning
Some writing prompts for kids to help with their journalling, and to create a little bit of a positive mindset.
End of year journalling and writing prompts for kids
A journal exercise for the end of the year to help kids to think back and reflect on what has happened to them, what they have learnt and how they feel about it all.
We wonder if you would like to check out some of these external sites too for more fabulous articles as well:
Journalling ideas from off site
Here are some more ideas for journalling from other sites - why not take a look to complement what we have here on KiddyCharts?
The Benefits of Journaling Kids Plus 10 Journal Prompts for Kids
Some more ideas for journalling for kids, but more generally rather than just for the holidays.
How to Start Journaling: 21 Tips to Make it a Ritual You'll Keep Up
How to start journalling from one of my favourite journalling sites - do check out the other ideas on here too.
Why Journal? Fun ways to Journal !
Ideas on why journalling is both fun and beneficial. Get into the habit, and see what a difference it makes for you and the kids.
Thanks for coming to see us, and taking the time to read this – it is great that you are here, and we hope to see you again.
Helen
Helen Neale
Helen is a mum to two, social media consultant, website editor and a qualified counsellor with experience of working with both children and adults.She is a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapists, with her own private practise. She also freelances with her local Mind organisation.Since giving up being a business analyst when juggling travel, work and kids proved too complicated, she founded KiddyCharts so she could be with her kids, use those grey cells at the same time, and supplement her counselling income.KiddyCharts has reach of over 680k across socials and the site. The site works with big family brands to help promote their services, as well as offering free resources to parents of kids under 10. She is a specialist counsellor for neurodivergent individuals and brings this expertise to her resources and the site. She is also an ADHDer herself.KiddyCharts gives 51%+ profits to charities, focused on supporting mental health and a community in TanzaniaHelen has also worked as a digital marketing consultant (IDM qualified) with various organisations, including Channel Mum, Truprint, Talk to Mums, and Micro Scooters. She loves to be creative in the brand campaigns she works on.Get in touch TODAY!