Studies have shown that writing and journaling can have numerous positive effects on people. For tweens and teenagers specifically, journaling can provide an outlet for all the swirling thoughts and emotions they’re experiencing. It offers a safe space that is nonjudgmental. It can also help them practice their writing skills, explore their goals and dreams, and stoke their creativity. However, facing a blank page can be intimidating, and kids might feel frustrated when their journal transforms into simple, uninspired recaps of their day-to-day activities. For kids looking to reflect, create, and grow, these guided journals offer prompts to help direct their pen.
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My Smile Diary
Buy from:Tweens adore Raina Telgemeier’s graphic novels that capture the ups and downs of middle school life. Girls and boys that connect with the books will love the accompanying journal. With prompts, illustrations, and space to write and draw, kids can record their hopes, anxieties, and dreams.
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Prayer Journal for Teen Girls
Buy from:Teen girls of faith will love this beautiful, guided journal. Inside, they’ll find scriptures to reflect on, space for personal thoughts, prayer requests, and weekly devotionals to read. With its gorgeous illustrations and convenient spiral binding, this journal is an excellent resource for girls who want to feel closer to God.
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Brave, Kind, and Grateful
Buy from:One of the best ways to improve self-esteem and confidence is to acknowledge the good things you do. This inspirational journal from the New York Times bestselling author of Tomorrow I’ll Be Kind and Tomorrow I’ll Be Brave is perfect for tweens and teens. With essays, prompts, and beautiful artwork, this journal is a fantastic gift for any young person who wants to feel more love and gratitude in their life.
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Free to Be Me
Buy from:Find your inner rainbow with the help of this colorful journal that celebrates your unique self. With information about LGBTQ+ history, writing prompts, and exercises, this journal will help teens find the confidence to be themselves.
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I Am Bold, Brave, and Beautiful
Buy from:This uplifting journal helps teens build confidence as they journal their way through this book. With affirmations to repeat, writing prompts, and inspirational quotes, this journal is the perfect pick for teens who want to boost their self-esteem.
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The Fangirl’s Journal for Leveling Up
Buy from:Embrace your geeky side with this fandom-inspired journal for teens. Full of prompts, lists, fandom terminology, and advice, this journal will help you explore your interests and creativity. It’s the journal that every devoted nerd needs!
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Choose Kind Journal
Buy from:This journal is a companion to Wonder, Palacio’s acclaimed middle grade novel, but it can also be used on its own. Its daily activities encourage tweens to explore kindness and gratitude in age-appropriate ways, such as writing a thank-you note or drawing a picture for the mail carrier, reflecting on a time that someone comforted them and they comforted someone, or writing about something they love.
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My First Positivity Journal
Buy from:Encourage tweens to be more mindful and focus on positive things with this journal. Kids will learn about gratitude and mindfulness, then write their thoughts in the spaces provided. Quotes and mindfulness exercises help tweens reflect as they work through the book.
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I Love Science
Buy from:Fans of Rachel Ignotofsky’s bestselling book Women in Science will be thrilled to explore the pages of this journal. Tweens, teens, and adults who love science will enjoy writing and drawing answers to its prompts, which encourage introspection and dreaming as big as the female scientists who came before them. You’ll also find a handy reference section to support STEM-based activities, like geometry formulas, a periodic table of elements, and star charts.
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Q&A a Day for Me
Buy from:The Q&A a Day series has something for everyone. This installment is geared specifically to teens, allowing them to explore how their answers to daily questions change over a three-year period. Covering everything from friendships and family to embarrassments and hobbies, this will become a perfect time capsule to look back on as an adult. Make sure to check out the Q&A a Day for Kids too!
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Growing Up Powerful Journal: A Confidence-Boosting, Totally Inspiring, Joyful Journal
Buy from:This workbook-style journal helps tweens discover what confidence is and how to foster it. From finding your personal superpowers to celebrating small wins, tweens will find plenty of inspiration on the pages of this journal. The helpful advice, journaling prompts, activities, games, and coloring pages make it a must-have for tween girls!
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Start Where You Are
Buy from:This full-color journey features stunning hand-lettering, inspirational quotes, and activities to help your teen explore and appreciate who they are. Activities such as listing five things that immediately and always bring a smile to your face, chronicling your three most frequent thoughts (and what you wish they were), and writing about something you have made out of nothing will help inspire reflection and creativity. And check out Patel’s other guided journals including, My Friend Fear: Finding Magic in the Unknown.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2017 and updated in 2026.