A while ago, I saw a video of a videographer asking his kid questions and recording the answers. It was adorable.
I couldn’t stop thinking about how sweet it would be for a child to one day look back on those genuine, funny little answers. So, I decided to create my own version but one that fits into my life, doesn’t overwhelm my iCloud storage, and ties into the keepsake journals I already write for my kids.
That’s how our Birthday Interview tradition began.
What Is a Birthday Interview?
A birthday interview is a simple way to capture your child’s personality each year. On or around their birthday, you ask them a set of fun or thoughtful questions and record their answers. Later, you can write them down in a journal so the memories live on beyond videos and photos.
Think of it as a time capsule of their childhood, preserved in their own words.
How We Do Birthday Interviews
Each year on Bodhi’s birthday (and soon for Lottie when she’s older), we sit down and chat.
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I create a list of birthday interview questions.
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I record the audio on my phone while we talk.
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Since Bodhi doesn’t know I’m recording, he answers naturally.
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Later, I write down his answers in his Heart Journal along with some reflections of my own.
This way, I get to be fully present in the moment while still capturing everything.
Birthday Interview Questions for Kids
Here are some fun prompts you can try:
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What’s your favorite food right now?
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Who’s your best friend?
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What do you want to be when you grow up?
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What makes you laugh the hardest?
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What’s one thing you loved about this year?
The answers are often hilarious, sometimes surprising, and always worth remembering.
For Kids Under 3
If your little one is too young to answer questions, you can still create a birthday interview of sorts:
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Record their funny toddler words.
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Write down their “firsts” (steps, words, trips, holidays).
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Reflect on the year you shared together... places you went, moments you want to hold onto, and the quirks that make them them.
For my daughter Lottie, who is just 1, I write about these things in her Heart Journal.
Why Journaling Memories Lasts Longer Than Photos
Photos are wonderful, but they can only capture so much. Journaling adds the 3D version of your child’s story ...their words, your reflections, and the emotions that photos can’t show.
One day, your kids won’t just look back at smiling faces in photos; they’ll read the funny, heartfelt, and honest details that tell the full story of who they were becoming.
That’s why I created Heart Journals, a keepsake designed to hold not just milestones, but memories that last a lifetime.
Start Your Own Birthday Interview Tradition
Whether you record answers, jot them in a journal, or both, the tradition is about more than just keeping memories...it’s about being present, cherishing your kids, and creating something they’ll treasure forever.
Because one day, your kids will want to know not just what they looked like, but who they really were.
Which is why I created Heart Journals.