art journaling: a 4 year old’s adventure

by mari

Smash Mini Folio Jounral - Art Books and Scrapbooks, Jounnaling with preschool kids

Our trip to the East Coast was full of Big Firsts for our little Birdie. I was determined to help her capture it all in a way that would be meaningful to her. So, we began an art journal – or I suppose one could call it a scrapbook – and let her fill it with anything and everything she wanted to. I am in love with the results, and so is she. There are some bits and bobs we collected that haven’t been added yet, but she tells me she can only work on it while On Vacation, which may cause us some problems!

One of my favorite things is the jounral itself – I gave her a Smash Mini Journal because the pages are filled with fun imagery – I thought it’d be less intimidating for her. Plus it includes a pen with a built-in glue stick and an elastic loop to carry it with us everywhere; perfect for travelling. The entire K&Company Smash Series is pretty awesome – it’s full of books, tapes, stampes, papers, and scrapbook-esque finds with a more modern vibe.

I also gathered up several dollar bin finds like stickers and self-inking stamps from the craft store so we had something new to play with every day. Whether it was waiting on the airplane or bored in the car, these things proved to be priceless. Now I can’t wait for our next trip (even a small one) so we can continue to fill her journal. Heck, at this rate we’re going to need several!

{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Sandra May 8, 2013 at 9:42 am

Love this idea. And her journal is so gorgeous. I wonder where her creative talent comes from…hmmm…

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2 mari May 8, 2013 at 9:43 am

Thanks Sandra, I am so inspired by her, and her freedom when making things like this!

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3 shosh @ mini mioche May 8, 2013 at 10:00 am

I love this post! I am a fan of art journalling and it is such a great idea to allow a child to express themselves in this way! It is also going to be a wonderful keepsake for the future.

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4 mari May 8, 2013 at 11:11 am

Thanks, I totally agree! I think every child needs an art book all to themselves.

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5 Bar May 9, 2013 at 7:46 pm

I love seeing her pages, we have smash books too…they are awesome! Makes it so easy and fun for them. I love the smarties wrapper :)

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6 mari May 9, 2013 at 8:29 pm

You too? Great minds think alike!
LOL, yep, I love the smarties wrapper too – and it was totally her idea.

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7 lidia | typebaby May 15, 2013 at 10:15 pm

What a fabulous idea! I always travel with a sketchbook and love looking back at my notes/sketches/illustrations from past trips. I hope that my toddler son will want to make a travel journal when he is older. Actually, it’s inspired ME to do something creative on our upcoming vacation!

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8 mari May 16, 2013 at 12:49 pm

Thanks so much! I’m so glad it inspired you too. I find watching my daughter create brings me all kinds of unexpected inspiration.

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9 Evie James July 13, 2013 at 6:23 am

This is what I have been dreaming about doing! Fab results, a gold star for Mum and Daughter!

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10 mari July 13, 2013 at 8:09 pm

Thank you SO.much!

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13 musiceto March 8, 2022 at 3:59 am

You too? Great minds think alike!
LOL, yep, I love the smarties wrapper too – and it was totally her idea.

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