With so much talk about summer brain drain, I’m always looking for activities to keep my kids learning without realizing it. That’s why I love this DIY that helps kids answer the perennial question: What did you do over your summer vacation?

At Dana Made It, you’ll find a tutorial for handmade summer story journals that you can hand sew, although if you’re me, I’d bet a binder or some staples would be just fine. She includes a 3-page template you can copy too.

I know my kids would have a blast filling it out with their memories, adventures, special days, or even just the birds they spotted in one day. And there’s something about a color-your-own cover that makes it that much more special than a marbled composition book. –Liz

Visit Dana Made It for the handmade summer story journals DIY.