Kids might be kids, but they experience stress too. In today’s busy world their schedules are so packed with homework and other activities, they often don’t get much time to be outside to explore.
If a vacation is on your mind, consider going on a cruise with the kids to Alaska. A great way to make them understand and appreciate the beauty of the state, is by asking them to maintain a nature journal to develop their observation skills.
The Last Frontier is a land of icy wonders, breathtaking landscapes and extraordinary wildlife. It is also home to many seasonal phenomena, but nothing as notable as the Midnight Sun, which offers 24 hours of sunlight for 76 days on a stretch.
While most family-friendly Alaskan cruises offer plenty of activities, creating a nature journal and mapping the Midnight Sun will keep them entertained during the long stretches of sea travel and downtime on board.
So grab your camera and binoculars and don your adventure cap, because these DIY tips and suggestions to prepare a nature journal with kids will help both you and the young ones to have an enriching experience.
A DIY nature journal is super easy to make with just a few materials that are found in every home. All you require is paper, cardboard, a rubber band, scissors, hole puncher or a pencil or ruler if needed.
For easier journaling, use either blank card stock or lined card stock. Take a little bagful of supplies with you like mini-stapler, glue stick, fine point sharpies and stickers or other fun embellishments.
Cut the paper and cardboard to the required size you want for the journal, and use a ruler to keep the cutting straight. Punch two holes, not too close or not to far from the edge on the cardboard where the hinges should be.
Align the cardboard with sections of paper and punch matching holes in the second piece of cardboard to rest on the journal pieces, as perfectly as possible.
Stretch the rubber band and loop one end over the stick then through the hole, while stretching the rubber band along the back and through the other hole, looping it over the other end of the stick.
Journals need not be too large, especially for younger children who might prefer to make a mini-journal. Give them the freedom and encouragement to put whatever they want inside their journal and add something regularly.
A nature travel journal will make your family’s Alaska cruise all the more memorable for documenting the days of your Alaskan adventure.
Get the kids excited with maps to record their journey, and things like a packing checklist. Additionally, they can document all the states and countries they may have traveled through, making the journal an excellent way to reflect on their trip once home.
As much as you think you are going to remember on your cruise trip, more likely than not you fill forget a ton. You will be glad later on that you took a few minutes each day to jot down your thoughts. When you return home, you can finish the entire journal in no time at all.
Staple your cruise tickets into your journal and since it bound with rings, you can insert extra pages to include more material. Print some photos of your trip and ask the kids to glue them to the journal. Staple some ribbons and maybe more embellishments to complete your travel journal.
