Stuck in the summer doldrums? This list of summer journal prompts is perfect for inspiring your next writing project or art journal entry.
Try using them to write a scene, as an object or theme central to a short story, or the subject for a poem. You can also use them to describe a reaction they would get from one of your characters or as something that has influenced who your character has become.
If you like documenting your daily life in a sketchbook, you can use these prompts for your illustrated life journals or sketchbooks.
Alternatively, use one a day for 31 days as a summer writing challenge or art journal challenge!
31 summer journal prompts
- Summer storms or lightning strikes
- Berries (blackberries, raspberries, blueberries)
- June
- Swimming (in the ocean, in a pool, in a lake)
- Heat
- Summer insects (crickets, grasshoppers, fireflies, or cicadas
- Sun
- Drought
- Sunburn
- Camp
- Sandals
- Insects: Hornets, Wasps, or Bees
- Sunbathing
- Moths or butterflies
- A summer night under the stars
- Lemonade
- Watermelon
- Fireworks
- Wildfire
- Dog days (the hot summer days following the rise of Sirius, the dog star)
- Reunion
- Swimsuit
- Barbecue
- Mowing Hay
- Hot asphalt
- Road trip
- Long days
- Light on the water
- Seashells or snail shells
- Fishing
- Sunglasses
Image by marijana1 from Pixabay
My favorite art journals
I love using Stillman and Birn sketchbooks. Sketchbooks from their Epsilon and Zeta series have the smooth, heavy, bright white paper that I prefer working on. The sketchbooks come in a range of sizes and are the perfect size for keeping in a purse or backpack. The paper in Zeta notebooks is heavy enough for watercolor. I use Sakura micron pens in both with no transfer.
I also love these books by Archer and Olive! These art journals are fancier and just feel special. Each cloth-bound cover features a foil inlay. Like the Stillman and Birn books, they feature a heavy, bright white paper that takes ink nicely and also is fine for light watercolor washes.
