Children are collectors of little treasures. My grandsons recently spent a week at the beach with me. One collected sea glass. Another grandson collected nature items that included small rocks, feathers, shells, and sea glass. These are special to them and worth preserving.They grow so fast and each year the experiences and what they do changes too. It’s good to capture the memories and let them reflect on the fun throughout the year.

Consider how to help your child preserve their favorite mementos to help capture those memories.

• Containers

Use a jar or special bowl to hold the items. They can take them out to play with them or use as topics of discussion at meals.

Purchase a small wooden treasure box from a craft store and let your child decorate it. They can glue on some of the smaller collected treasures. On the outside add a printed piece of a map or photos from the trip.

• Cast a Memory Stepping Stone

Use a mold and cast a stepping stone. Embed it with mementos from the trip. Add the natural items found. You can purchase a kit or make your own.

• Create a Memory Board

Hang up a poster or piece of wood and let your child cover it with photos and memories from the trip. Cork board works well to stick on items with thumb tacks. For items they may want to play with use baggies and pin them on. Print out photos and add menus or tickets from the trip.

• Fill a Scrapbooks or Photo Album   

Buy a scrapbook and let your child design pages with photos. mementos, and and journal notes. This lets them express their feelings and put the best memories into words.

Or buy a small photo album for your child to fill the pages with favorite photos and small items from the trip.

Creating a memory will help children continue to enjoy the experiences and help them look forward to their next vacation.

Some things are hard to capture like times spent blowing bubbles. Think about adding drawings of the bubbles or glue on a bubble wand from the trip. Times spent snuggling together can be added by drawing long arms with hands and folding them into a hug. Wrap the paper arms around a photo.

On a cold winter day stroll though the memories with your child and dream of future trips

Blessings,

Karen  

Look for my upcoming release September 1 for lots of family fun: 52 Weekly Devotions for Families Called to Serve

Each devotion includes hands on fun, chat prompts, and a focus on a character trait.