53 Junk Journal Ideas for a Killer Spooky Season

Fall is for collectors. There is nothing cozier than adding a cute, little trinket to your collection. That is why we’re officially calling this season Junk Journal Girl autumn. But in a world of overconsumption, it can be hard to know what’s worth keeping. To help you out, here are 53 junk journal ideas you should look out for this spooky season.

If you have no clue what a junk journal is, don’t worry. We covered how to start your own in a blog post last week. It is a great primer for how to start collecting. Still, if you’re looking for things that will make your junk journal extra great this October, you should absolutely read this post.

53 Junk Journal Ideas

If you aren’t sure where to start with your ephemera/ junk collection, look no further. You’ll be sure to pass by many of these things during your regular Fall routine. Who knows? Maybe a few of these junk journal ideas will inspire your next autumn outing.

Capture Fall Colors

Most people in the USA think of bright colors when they think of Fall. Watching the leaves change is such a beautiful thing. Why not capture that beauty in your junk journal? After spending some grounding journaling time in nature, keep an eye out for these small items.

*Remember: always check with park rules and local laws before taking anything*

1. Brightly colored autumn leaves

2. Dried petals from the few last summer flowers

3. Seed packets for fall produce

4. Mushroom spore prints

5. Thin strips of tree bark

6. Trail maps or pamphlets

7. Sketches of interesting plants

8. Printed photos from your hike

9. Litter you create (so you don’t throw it on the ground!)

10. Acorn caps

11. Hay straws

Tricks and Treats

Not everyone wants to explore shadow work like people pleasing during spooky season. Don’t worry. There are so many junk journal ideas that don’t involve anything too scary this Halloween. Look out for these things during any of your favorite seasonal outings.

12. Favorite candy wrappers

13. Halloween costume idea sketches

14. Halloween party invitations

15. Ads with pumpkins, bats, and/or monsters

16. Leftover costume scraps (lace, fabric, beads, etc.)

17. Confetti or other paper Halloween decorations

18. Receipts from pumpkin patches or apple orchards

19. Labels from favorite Fall treats

20. Temporary tattoos

21. Photos of you in costume

22. Scary movie ticket stubs

23. Vintage photographs

24. Sketch your Jack-o-Lantern

25. Printed tarot card readings

26. Candle wax and/or wax seals

27. Treat bags

28. Oktoberfest tickets

Upcycle Past Hobbies

Everyone needs a hobby. This is extra true when the weather cools down. All the best junk journal ideas use bits and pieces of your everyday life. What better way to honor the balance in your life than celebrating your free time in a junk journal? Here are some of the best scraps to save:

29. Yarn scraps

30. Leftover buttons

31. Lace or fabric trims

32. Mini golf scorecards

33. Scribble the last bit of a colored pencil

34. Add the painting’s color palette

35. Friendship bracelets

36. Family recipe cards

37. Sheet music copies

38. Scratch paper doodles

39. Board game score sheets

40. Marathon or race bibs

41. Printed poems or other creative writing

42. Pictures of book covers

Use Past Journals!

On that note, some of us journal like it’s our main hobby. Love that! If you’re the type of person who writes all the time but doesn’t want the world to read any of it – try these junk journal ideas that actually turn sensitive journaling pages into art! Each of these ideas links to a full tutorial for the project. Enjoy!