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Last updated on August 22nd, 2023 at 11:07 am
Children can be hard to impress these days. It’s sometimes difficult to find a common interest that parents and kids can share–and one that will keep kids engaged. But learning about their family’s history is one way kids and parents can connect while having fun.
Believe it or not, learning their family’s story can make a tremendous difference in establishing a little ones’ self-identity. So, how can we get our kids to WANT to learn about the ones who came before them? Create a family tree!
A family tree project is cross between an art and a history project that will help you tell the story of your family in an engaging way. Don’t quite know how to make a family tree? Then let’s dive into our little how-to.
Teach Your Kids About Their History With a Family Tree Project
Gather All the Information
Begin your family tree project by making a list of all the relatives you want to feature on your family tree. Go as far into the past as you can.
If you get stuck and can’t go back any further, ask your older relatives to share whatever names they still remember.
If you want to dig even deeper, there are all kinds of genealogy websites that can provide you with information about your lineage.
Draft Your Tree
Once you have all the names and the date written down, it’s time to draft your family tree.
Pencil in your tree, and see how many generations back you can go. Decide whether you are going to include just the names and dates of births–or is there room to write about your relatives’ greatest achievements or interesting trivia about them?
Your draft may give you a hint about the size of your project and the materials you should use.
Prepare the Photos
Now that you have a general idea of the size of your family tree project and all the names you’ll be including, it’s time to see if you have photos of your relatives. Scout your old photo albums and ask your family members.
Don’t get discouraged if these old images have succumbed to age and improper handling. Luckily, you can fix all those cracks, stains, and creases. You can learn how to restore old photos in a few simple steps. With just a bit of your time, your images will be in tip top condition and ready to be featured on your family tree.
Gather the Materials
So now you have the idea, the photos, and a plan. All that is left are the materials. There is no perfect solution for what type of family tree to make.
Some people prefer to draw it on a large piece of paper or cardstock, or you could make a book. Go with whatever you feel more comfortable with, and then get all the materials ready.
Craft Your Family Tree
And here’s the moment we’ve been waiting for. It’s time to get down to business. Assign a task for each family member.
Your kids can be in charge of cutting out the restored images and whoever has the best handwriting can write down the names, dates of birth, and whatever information you decide to feature on your family tree.
The most important thing is that you do it all together, and reminisce about the people you had the pleasure to know while you work.
Share Your Project
Since your family tree isn’t a just home decor or a poster, but a journey into your family’s foundation, make sure that all your loved ones get a chance to see it.
If some of your relatives live far away, take a photo of your project, and send it to them. Just don’t store your family tree away in a closet and forget about it. All of your hard work was meant to be seen and appreciated. After all, it contains the history of your family.
And, there you have it. This is how you can create a family tree and spend some truly meaningful time with your loved ones.
So gather your family on a cozy evening, and dive deep into the history of your family. Working on a family tree project is a great way to learn about your family’s past, relive old memories, and create new ones.
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