When I had three girls under five, the thought of big summer vacations seemed very daunting, but I still wanted my girls to feel like they were having fun summer adventures.
This was when I came up with the idea for summer passports.
Make a list of “Destinations”
To start out, I made a list of simple places to visit in our town. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Parks. (This was our bread and butter. We visited quite a few new parks in town that summer.)
- Local Trolley/Train/Bus
- Environmental Preserve
- Local Hike
- Zoo
- Candy Store
- Swimming Pool/Lake
- Camping in your Backyard
- Fishing
- Parade
- Splash Pad
- Chuck-E-Cheese
- Science Museum
- Farm
- Movie
- Fireworks
- Dance Party
- Sprinklers w/Friends
- Lunch/Dinner at a Restaurant
- Local Festival/Fair
Successful Summer Fun
After making a list, I took the time to create a passport for each girl. I was a little overzealous and had enough pages for 2 summers.
Both summers ended up feeling like grand adventures when really, we just took the time to go on small adventures and record our memories.
Now they are fun memory books for the girls.
Create Your Own Summer Passport
I have created free and easy printables in two sizes if you would like to create a summer passport book for your own kid(s).
They can be printed in b&w or color. You can use all the pages I created, or use the inner pages and create your own cover.
You can print on white paper or colored pages. (I printed my girls’ on a variety of scrapbook pages. In the end, I decided I prefer white or really light pages.)
8.5 x 11 inch- FULL-PAGE OPTION
Full-size page option. This size is nice because the photo spaces are large enough to include a standard 4×6 photo.
I would suggest printing the pages on cardstock to support the photos. You can print double-sided to use less cardstock.
Print a cover page:
Print a profile page:
The profile pages are so fun to look back on. I had the girls wear a funny pair of glasses the first year and hold a photo prop the second year. Obviously not necessary, but the photos are funny. If you are double-side printing on cardstock, you will want to print Passport Page 1 on the backside of the Profile Page.
Print pages to record your adventures:
Print as many pages as you would like to record your summer adventures. You can aim for one a week, two a week, two a month…whatever you think is a good amount for your family.
Feel free to print in color or b&w and have your kiddo add color.
Bind Your Book
If you have access to a binding machine, they work well for this project. If not, staples along the binding will work as well.
Enjoy!
In addition to having a large space for a photo on the full-size passport pages, I have included a smaller space that can be used for a drawing by your child, ticket stubs, a second, smaller photo…whatever you see fit.
When filling out the page, I would usually fill out the top information and the “highlights” section. Then, depending on age, either have my child make a list under “We Saw” or I would have them tell me things we saw and I would fill this section out for them with their words.
5.5 X 8.5 inch – HALF-PAGE OPTION
I print the 1/2 size option on regular paper.
Print a cover:
Print a profile page:
*If you have the option, it is best to print the following half-page passport pages on the back of the profile page.
Print pages to record your adventures:
*I double side print these as well. (I printed 4 back-to-back.)
Bind your half-size book:
Fold all pages of your book in half and put them in the correct order.
If you have a long-arm stapler, you are golden. Staple in the middle (what will be the spine) and you are done.
If not (like me), carefully fold (trying not to crease the pages) the back 1/2 of the pages in half the long way so your standard stapler can reach the middle (spine) and staple.
Enjoy!
Because this smaller size is easier to print and staple on regular paper, it does not lend itself as well to supporting actual photos, but the spaces are perfect for your kids to draw pictures.
If you would like to use small photos, I would suggest printing on cardstock and cutting all pages in half. then use a binding machine or hole punch with metal rings.
When filling out the page, I would usually fill out the top information and the “highlights” section. Then, depending on age, either have my child make a list under “We Saw” or I would have them tell me things we saw and I would fill this section out for them with their words.
I wish you and your family a wonderful summer with many “grand” adventures!
Jamie Bills
