By Alexis, Crafternoon Co

The start of the year (the real beginning is February, right?) is a great time for kids to make a vision board! A junk journal version is like the mood board’s cooler, messier cousin – and that’s what makes it so fun. Instead of starting with shiny, new supplies, they can hunt for interesting old bits and turn them into something totally personal. Think cereal boxes, magazine pictures, newspaper words, scraps of ribbon, buttons, sequins, ticket stubs… anything that feels exciting and represents them and their year ahead.

Why make a vision board?

Vision boards help kids think about what they love, what they’re curious about, and what they want more of, like confidence, kindness, creativity, adventure, or learning a new skill. There’s no “right” answer. It’s about noticing what makes them feel happy and inspired, then putting it all together in one place.

How to Make Your Junk Journal Vision Board

They’ll need:

• One large piece of poster cardboard or A3 paper
• Old magazines, newspapers, flyers, cereal boxes
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Pens or textas
• Scraps: ribbon, fabric, buttons, sequins, stickers, washi tape
• A frame (if you want to avoid tac or sticky tae on the wall)

Crafting Steps

Step 1: Choose your base

Take the piece of cardboard or paper that you will stick all your junk journalling onto and make sure you have a nice big surface to start your project.

Step 2: Go on a scrap hunt

Flip through magazines, newspapers and old cereal boxes. Look for colours, pictures, patterns, and words that jump out at you. Tear or cut them out – rough edges are welcome!

Step 3: Think about your “vibe”

Ask yourself: What do I want more of this year? Fun? Friends? Calm? Trying new things? Let your choices match that feeling.

Step 4: Plan before you glue

Lay everything out first. Overlap pieces. Turn words sideways. Layer ribbon under pictures. There’s no rush. Make sure you’re happy with the overall look, before you start using glue.

Step 5: Stick it down

Feeling good? Get that glue stick going. Add extra details with pens, over the top of images or in between pieces. You can even add washes of paint over the top of some pictures and words too.

Step 6: Add finishing touches

Sprinkle on sequins, glitter, stickers tape around the edges, or write a favourite word in big letters. Then pop it in a frame if you want to keep it neat behind glass!

See it and believe it

Display their vision board somewhere they can see it every day. Over their desk, on the back of their bedroom door or even the fridge. Seeing reminders of positive and inspiring imagery and words is the upbeat vibes we all need in 2026.

Bright Ideas for More Creativity!

5 Out-of-the-Box DIY Ideas Using Stuff at Home (aka Cheap and Easy)

1. Collage Notes
Challenge kids to make you or their friends or siblings, secret notes for each other using only printed words they find on old paperwork, bills and newspapers.

2. Cereal Box City
Basically never throw out cereal boxes! They are elite crafting goodness. Encourage kids to cut boxes into buildings, add windows with markers and tape, so they can turn it into a mini city.

3. Paper Bag Puppets
Turn lunch bags into characters, with mouths that open when you talk! Instant theatre. Glue down macaroni, ribbon or wool for hair. Bonus points if you have googly eyes.

4. Adopt A Pet Rock
They’re the iconic craft rite-of-passage every kid needs. Paint a rock and design it into the pet they’ve always wanted. Create a village of them in the garden.

5. Tin Foil Jewellery
Scrunch, twist and shape foil into necklaces, bracelets, belts and more. Shiny, scrunchy goodness that is fantastic for fine motor skills.

Messy hands, big ideas, zero rules. That’s the magic.

For more on how to keep kids creative and busy, visit : 

crafternoonco.com.au
@thecrafternoon.co

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