10 Weekly Photo Journal Ideas for Summer

Summer is a magical time, isn’t it … the perfect season for taking on a weekly photo journal challenge.

Whether you are homeschooling year round or taking the summer months off, it’s common for this season to be filled with more than scholastics. The weather is warm outside and you want to take some time for family adventures (or relaxation, right?).

Homeschooling is all about inspiring curiosity and creating precious moments together as a family. As homeschool moms, capturing these moments with a weekly photo journal can be a wonderful way to preserve memories and enhance your homeschooling experience.

Better yet, let your kids join you in on the challenge! While I took a couple of photography classes in my college years, it’s no secret that my daughter naturally has a better eye for composition than I do (yes, even after taking those classes).

So, if you’ve got kids who love the idea of capturing your summertime memories, this can be a fun family challenge. If you have teens with smartphones of their own, they can use those for taking photos. For younger kids, you might let them borrow your phone to use the camera, if they’re old enough.

Another idea is to pick up some disposable cameras for this weekly photo challenge.  

Here are ten weekly photo journal ideas to inspire you and your children this summer:

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Week 1: Nature Exploration

Idea: Document your family’s outdoor adventures.

• Photo Prompts: Flowers in bloom, insects and wildlife, favorite trees, scenic landscapes, exploring nature with your kids.
• Activity: Go on a nature hike, visit a botanical garden, or simply explore your backyard. Collect small items like leaves or rocks to include in your journal alongside your photos.

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Week 2: Water Fun

Idea: Capture moments of water play and aquatic activities.

• Photo Prompts: Swimming, water balloon fights, trips to the beach, sprinkler fun in the backyard.
• Activity: Spend a day at the pool, visit a local splash pad, or enjoy a beach day. Encourage your kids to describe their favorite water activities and why they love them.

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Week 3: Summer Treats

Idea: Keep track of your delicious summertime treats.

• Photo Prompts: Ice cream cones, homemade popsicles, fruit salads, homemade lemonade, family BBQ.
• Activity: Make a new summer treat each week; photograph the process and the final product. Have your children write down their favorite recipes.

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Week 4: Gardening Adventures

Idea: Document your homeschool gardening journey.

• Photo Prompts: Planting seeds, watering plants, blossoming flowers, and harvesting vegetables.
• Activity: Start a small garden or tend to plants you’re already growing. Take pictures of your kids planting, watering, and observing plant growth. Older kids might want to play around with designing bouquets or flower arrangements and take photos of those.

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Week 5: Family Road Trips

Idea: Capture the excitement of family road trips.

• Photo Prompts: Scenic drives, pit stops, roadside attractions, and candid family moments.
• Activity: Plan a short road trip to a nearby town or attraction. Encourage your kids to take photos of interesting sights. Later, they can write about their favorite parts of the journey. (Here are 6 Educational Trip Ideas Your Kids Will Love.)

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Week 6: Creative Arts and Crafts

Idea: Showcase your children’s artistic creations.

• Photo Prompts: Painting sessions, craft projects, sidewalk chalk art, and homemade jewelry.
• Activity: Set up daily or weekly art projects. Photograph the creative process and finished pieces. In your weekly photo journal, let your children explain their artwork or craft and the inspiration behind it.

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Week 7: Backyard Camping

Idea: Document a backyard camping adventure.

• Photo Prompts: Tent setup, campfire (real or pretend), star gazing, and family stories around the “campfire.”
• Activity: Pitch a tent in the backyard, make s’mores, and spend the night under the stars. Capture the fun and write about the camping experience and any wildlife sightings (yes, stuffed animals count as wildlife, don’t you know?).

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Week 8: Summer Sports

Idea: Capture the excitement of playing summer sports.

• Photo Prompts: Biking, soccer games, frisbee, and family fitness activities.
• Activity: Organize family sports days or join local sports events. Take action shots of the games and write about the sportsmanship and fun.

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Week 9: Learning Adventures

Idea: Highlight educational outings and discoveries.

• Photo Prompts: Museum visits, science experiments, library trips, and historical sites.
• Activity: Plan educational trips and activities. Let your kids take photographs of their discoveries. As they journal, they can include their thoughts and things they learn from each outing.

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Week 10: Family Traditions

Idea: Capture unique family traditions and routines.

• Photo Prompts: Family game nights, special breakfasts, holiday celebrations, and daily routines.
• Activity: Identify and document your family’s unique summer traditions. Encourage your children to write about why these traditions are special and how they look forward to them each year.

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Tips for Creating Your Weekly Photo Journal

1. Consistency: Set a specific day each week to update your photo journal.
2. Involvement: Encourage your children to take their own photos and write their own captions.
3. Creativity: Use a mix of photos, drawings, and written entries.
4. Personal Touch: Let each family member contribute their unique perspective to the journal.
5. Reflection: At the end of the summer, review the journal together. You’ll have a great time reflecting on the memories made.

Creating a summer photo journal is not only a fun activity but can also serve as a cherished keepsake for years to come. It allows you to document your homeschooling journey while making lasting memories with your family.

You might find some more ideas for things to add to your weekly photo journal from this list of 25 Educational and Outdoor Summer Boredom Busters!