Why We Had the Kids Journal on the Great Loop (and What I’d Do Differently)
Before we set off on the Great Loop, I had this vision: our kids curled up with notebooks at the end of the day, capturing stories, sketches, and memories from our grand adventure.
Reality? A little messier than that. But also more meaningful than I expected.
Our kids were upper-elementary age when we started—8 and 10—and journaling became one of the simplest (and sneakily most educational) ways to help them process the experience. Along the way, I learned a lot about what works… and what I’d do differently if we were starting over.
Why We Made Journaling Part of Boat School
When we left, I had each kid pick out a notebook they were excited about—something they could decorate with stickers or tape or doodles. It gave them ownership, and honestly, the novelty of it helped get us through those first few entries.
Journaling checked a lot of boxes for us:
Handwriting practice (without the groans of copywork)
Spelling and sentence building
Observation skills (“What did you see today? What stood out?”)
Emotional reflection (even if it was just “today was awesome because I had ice cream and saw dolphins”)
We didn’t write every day. Sometimes we’d go a few days without opening the journals at all. Other times, especially when we were somewhere particularly exciting—or a lot had happened in a short time—I’d ask them to journal more frequently to help them process and remember.
The consistency was flexible. The goal was simple: help them record their own version of the Loop.
What Worked—and What Didn’t
They wrote. They drew. They taped in brochures and ferry tickets. Some days, their entries were sweet and reflective. Other days… well, they were a little more like “we left a place and now we’re here.”
Which was fine. Not every journal entry needs to be a masterpiece.
But after a few weeks, I noticed a pattern: unless something dramatic or unusual had happened, the entries often felt kind of flat. Not because the kids didn’t care—just because they weren’t sure how to write about their day.
They didn’t know what parts mattered or how to go beyond listing the facts. I hadn’t thought to give them prompts. I just assumed that being there, in the thick of the adventure, would be enough.
Looking back, that’s the piece I’d change.
What I’d Do Differently (and Why I Created Prompt Journals)
I wish I’d had prompts ready from the beginning—ones specific to this kind of trip. Not just “What did you do today?” but:
What made you laugh today?
What do you want to remember about this stop?
Did you learn something new today—about boating, a place, or yourself?
What would you tell a friend about this town?
What’s the weather like, and how did it change your plans?
These kinds of questions spark more reflection and creativity. They give kids a structure, but also freedom. They’re not intimidating. And they lead to entries you’ll actually want to reread years later.
That’s what drove me to create the Great Loop prompt journals—for kids, teens, and even adults. They’re full of easy, reusable questions to take the pressure off and help everyone capture memories in a way that feels fun and doable, not like homework.
Here’s what we’ve got so far:
🧭 My Adventure Log: A Young Explorer’s Great Loop Journal – for upper elementary kids (like mine!)
🎨 Little Explorer’s Great Loop Activity Journal – for the younger crowd who want to color, draw, and record their trip in pictures and simple words
⛵️ Voyage & Vibes: A Teen’s Great Loop Travel Journal – with deeper prompts for self-reflection, travel notes, and big feelings
🌊 Tides & Travels: Journaling Your Great Loop Adventure - prompts for grown-ups along with daily records for weather, location, and memorable encounters
You don’t have to be a “journaling family” to benefit from a little writing on the Loop. It doesn’t have to be every day. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just a few words, a drawing, or a reflection is enough.
And if you’re the grown-up reading this? I’ll be honest—I wish I had journaled more too.
So wherever you are in the planning or cruising process, consider giving yourself—and your kids—a way to remember the small moments. Because as much as the Loop is made up of big sights and bucket-list stops, it’s also made up of slow mornings, dock chats, funny mistakes, and sunsets at anchor.
And those are worth remembering, too.
We’d Love to Hear From You!
What about you?
Did you or your kids keep a journal while cruising (or traveling)? What helped your family remember the journey—photos, writing, something else?
If you’re planning your Loop, do you think journaling might be part of the experience?
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