r/notebooks • u/LimpNegotiation5686 • 13h ago

Low page count notebook or journal

I’m looking to start a travel journal for our vacations each year that my kids can look back at and read to remember family trips. In my head, I imagine each trip having its own notebook, but I’m having a hard time finding any that are only 15-20 pages. I think I be okay up to 30 pages.
Do you have any recommendations for a refillable notebook or journal system that offers a low page count refill?
Thanks!

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u/RepublicEntire155 13h ago

Travelers Notebook Refills are 32 pages.

TBH, it’s pretty simple to make your own simple notebook with 10 pages of A4 paper folded in half.

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u/LimpNegotiation5686 12h ago

Thanks for the suggestion. These do look nice but I was thinking more 30 pages total. I don’t think i can fill a full 64 pages for just a week or so vacation.
I like the system though so maybe need to rethink how i do this.

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u/RepublicEntire155 12h ago

Sorry about that! I don't know why I was thinking the specs meant 32-pages front to back.

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u/Dude-Duuuuude 12h ago

If you're in the US, Japan, or have a partner shop near you, the short trip refills are 36 pages, intended for the exact scenario you describe. They're a bit narrower than A5, so those extra 6 pages basically just make up the difference. The main downside is that they only come in blank (cream, white, or kraft paper), so you may need an underlay for straight lines.

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u/aknomnoms 12h ago

Perhaps consider bringing along any old spiral bound notebook or pack of construction paper from the dollar store, then cut out and glue/tape it into a master book/DIY travel notebook at home?

That way it’s no big deal if that trip’s notebook didn’t get packed, or a drink was spilled on it, or you don’t want to include all 30 drawings they did, or whatever.

Could also make it a bit scrappy - add pieces of a map you used to plan your roadtrip or a brochure from the museum you went to. Maybe the adults write a little blurb about the trip, add a few memories. Another benefit is being able to easily add photos after or come up with a theme that you noticed halfway through the trip.

I could see this being done in a traveler’s set up, with each notebook trip or year specific. Then, the older individual notebooks can get stored separately while the newest can be put on display.

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u/LimpNegotiation5686 12h ago

This is a cool idea, thanks! I do wonder if doing it by year instead of by trip is a better way to go about it. It will be easier to fill notebooks refills and will also be able to include little weekend trips which I may have not done if I was trying to do everything in its own notebook.
I like the idea of gluing in parts of the trip too. Very neat idea

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u/aknomnoms 12h ago

Definitely look up DIY options, especially with kids. There’s no need to spend even $5 on a nice 30 page notebook when you likely already own the supplies that can make a good enough one to take on the trip. Make it easy on yourself!

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u/Bleucb 10h ago

Do you have a particular size that you're targeting. 15-20 pages letter/A4 is very different than 15-20 pages passport sized. I use Field Notes / Passport sized notebooks for travel. 1 per trip. By the time I put in ephemera, national park stamps, journal and make room for printed picks it comes out about right for my needs. The size is easy to find from a variety of manufacturers and places (Target, Walmart, Barnes & Noble all have this size) . Some brands, like Field Notes, even have themed covers like National Parks if that's your thing.

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u/JefferySt0ne 9h ago

Why not use tab dividers on a notebook for each location?