A Child's Keepsake of Walt Disney World

This Article Was Contributed by Lisa

Walt Disney World, with all it's shows, rides, and attractions is enough in itself to keep your school age child busy. But in between running from the Tower of Terror, over to Rock 'n Roller Coaster, getting another Mickey Bar, and buying an 'N Sync shirt from Planet Hollywood Store, you can make your child's vacation even more memorable by getting them involved in some activities that will make them feel as if they are involved in a treasure hunt of their own making.

Walt Disney World not only offers up thrills, frills and fantasy, but there truly is a whole world to explore while venturing during your vacation. Arm your child with a camera, journal, pen, and a few dollars... and the expedition begins. This will not only expand your child's photography skills, but by writing about each photo or adventure, their writing and vocabulary skills will expand as well.

All that being said, here are some of our hints, for activities for your child to embark on while on a exciting Disney vacation.

Buy your child their own camera before your trip, a disposable one will work fine, or buy them an inexpensive one at your local discount store. This way if they lose it, or drop it, it won't be a major catastrophe.

• One use for your child's camera would be a photo collection of countries around the world... the world meaning Epcot's World Showcase. Have them take photos of famous landmarks, of them standing in front of the landmarks.

• Another photo journal could be composed of the famous Walt Disney World Topiaries, those wonderful shapes carved out of many different kinds of shrubs and bushes by the gardeners of the Walt Disney World Resort. Have them keep track of each one, where they found it, and take a photo of them in front of it also.

• Another idea would be a journal composed of the different resorts of the world. Resort hopping, especially at Christmas-time, is a fun activity. Take a photo of your child in front of each resorts main entrance, and have them write about one thing they saw at this resort that they loved, and if they'd like to stay there or not.

• A photo journal, especially for a child with a love of animals, is an array of photographs of the animals at Animal Kingdom. They can photograph as many different animals that they can find.

There are TONS of ideas not mentioned here, just ask your child what kind of photo journal would interest them most, and go from there.

Onto the pen and paper. Have your child keep a journal about their days at Walt Disney World... either purchase them a travel journal from your local bookstore, or a small spiral notebook will work just as well. This is something they can look back upon when they are older to relive their memories... and you'll find looking back at your child's highlights quite endearing too.

• Have your child keep a daily diary of their trip. Have them mark down favorite and not so favorite rides, restaurants, characters, etc. But let this be all in their own writing, help them to spell, but let it being "their" writing. Perhaps in the front of the journal, post a photo of your child from your trip to Disney, and perhaps a lock of hair.

• Another idea for the pen and paper is to tour the countries in Epcot's World Showcase and have a cast member from each country write your child's name and a greeting down. Disney Passports, which can also be stamped and have the same written in them, can be purchased in any Epcot gift shop. The price is around $10.

• Another pen and paper idea, especially for younger children, is to have a page for each letter of the alphabet. Have your child find as many things as he can that being with each letter. At the end of your day, while at your hotel, have them get their notebook out and go through each letter and have them write down anything they have seen or experienced that day, that begins with that letter.

• Go on a Hidden Mickey search throughout Walt Disney World. Have your child write down where they have seen each one, if more than one child is doing this, see who can spot the most.

• Another idea for the younger children, is to have them draw something for each day of their journal, that they thought was the best thing they experienced that day, whether it be a character, a show, or a ride. Put a caption underneath the drawing for them if they cannot do it on their own.

Tape recorders can also be used for your child to immortalize their vacation. Have them talk into it each night, about everything they did that day. Take photos of the day, to go along with it, and store it in a special box when you get home.

There are so many ways for your child to create their own keepsakes of the vacation. All it takes is a little money, some time, and a whole lot of imagination. When you get home, or while at Disney, purchase a nice photo album, keepsake box, or scrapbook, and help them to organize their photos, writings, etc. for safe keeping. The ideas are endless! Have fun!

Last Updated: May 9, 2009