Diary for kids: write, learn and have fun

How to write a diary for kids

Writing a diary is easy. Here is how to do it, one step at a time.

1. Write the datePut today's date at the top, like Monday, May 4. Now you will always know when it happened.
2. Say helloWrite Dear diary, like you are talking to a friend. You can even give your diary a name.
3. Tell what happenedWrite about one thing you did today. Who was there? Where were you?
4. Say how you feltHappy, silly, sad, excited, brave? Write why you felt that way.
5. Add a drawingIf you are writing on paper, draw a small picture of your day. Pictures count too.
6. Say goodbyeEnd with goodnight, see you tomorrow, or your name.

Our free online diary for kids

The diary at the top of this page is free and simple. Kids type, and their page saves by itself in the browser on that device. There is no sign up, no account and no email.

• Private. Pages stay on your device. They are not posted anywhere or sent to us.
• PIN lock. A PIN keeps the diary closed on a shared family computer. It is a simple lock, not encryption.
• Print it. Print any page or save it as a PDF to keep in a folder.
• Works anywhere. Use it in any browser on a computer, tablet or phone. There is no app to download, but you can add it to the home screen.

Pages are saved on one device only and do not sync, so if a child writes on the family tablet, the pages stay on that tablet. Open the full online diary any time.

What to look for in a paper diary for kids

Many children love a real diary they can hold. If you are buying one, these things matter more than the cover.

Want to print pages instead? Our diary template for kids has simple lined pages with a box for a drawing.

Fun diary ideas for kids

Not sure what to write? Pick one of these and press Write.

About my day

1. What was the best part of today?Write
2. What did you eat for lunch? Did you like it?Write
3. Who did you play with today, and what did you play?Write
4. What made you laugh today?Write
5. What new thing did you learn today?Write
6. What was the weather like? Draw it too.Write
7. Did anything surprise you today?Write
8. What are you excited about for tomorrow?Write

All about me

1. What is your favorite color, food and animal?Write
2. What are you really good at?Write
3. What makes you feel happy inside?Write
4. If you could try any job for one day, which would you pick and why?Write
5. If you could have any pet, what would it be? What would you name it?Write
6. What is your favorite book or movie, and why?Write
7. What is something brave you did?Write
8. What do you love about your family?Write
9. Who is your best friend and what do you like about them?Write
10. What is your favorite game to play?Write

Imagine

1. If you could fly for one day, where would you go?Write
2. If your toys came alive at night, what would they do?Write
3. Invent a new animal. What does it look like and what does it eat?Write
4. If you were the teacher for a day, what would you teach?Write
5. Design your dream treehouse.Write
6. If you could talk to animals, which one would you talk to first?Write
7. What would you do if you were invisible for one hour?Write
8. Make up a new ice cream flavor.Write
9. If you had a robot helper, what jobs would it do?Write
10. Write a story about a dragon who is scared of the dark.Write

Feelings

1. What makes you feel calm?Write
2. What do you do when you feel sad?Write
3. When did you feel proud this week?Write
4. What is something that worries you? Who can you tell about it?Write
5. What is a kind thing someone did for you?Write
6. What is a kind thing you did for someone else?Write
7. Write three things you are thankful for.Write
8. When did you feel brave?Write
9. Who do you talk to when you have a problem?Write
10. When did you feel grown up?Write

Special days

1. Write about your last birthday.Write
2. What is your favorite holiday and how does your family celebrate it?Write
3. Write about a trip to the park, the beach or the zoo.Write
4. What did you do on a rainy day?Write
5. Write about your first day of school this year.Write
6. What do you love about summer vacation?Write
7. Write about a time you lost a tooth.Write
8. Write about a day you helped someone.Write
9. What is the best day you can remember?Write
10. Write about a visit to someone you love.Write
11. What was the best present you ever got?Write
12. Write about a snow day, or what you would do on one.Write

Find many more on our pages of journal prompts for kids and diary entry topics.

Tips for parents and teachers

• Respect privacy. Kids write more honestly when they trust that their diary will not be read without asking. Agree on this as a family.
• Keep it short. Five minutes at bedtime is plenty. Small and often builds the habit.
• Write together at first. Younger kids can tell you their day while you write it, then add their own drawing.
• Do not correct spelling. A diary is not homework. Let them enjoy writing.
• Model it. Kids copy what they see. Keep your own diary or journal.
• Make it fun. Stickers, colored pens and a special pencil case make diary time feel like a treat.
• Stay safe online. Remind kids not to share diary pages or personal details online.

For school writing, the diary entry format page shows the layout teachers expect, with a simple version for younger children.

Why a diary is good for kids

A diary gives kids a quiet place that is all theirs. It is practice for reading and writing without the pressure of a grade. It helps them name their feelings, which can make big feelings easier to handle. And it becomes a lovely record of childhood that they can read when they are older.

Faith families might also like our ideas for a prayer journal for kids.

Questions people ask