Creating a family tree for children is a simple fun activity with far reaching benefits. Knowing your roots can help you both with your personal identity and sense of belonging. This is a useful grounding exercise for parents and children coping with ADHD.
It maybe a conversation that you’ve never had with your child until something comes up on the television and you say ‘Granddad did that!’. This happened to a friend recently when watching soldiers walk along the green line in Cyprus. Her son was amazed! And sat riveted to the program right to the end.
Pass on those valuable snippets of information before they’re gone. If there are any shady areas in your family tree take time out to clear them up! And if you’re thinking what’s the point in wading in the past, my family is just full of bakers and boot makers. I’m going to stop you right there.
I’ve absorbed more about world history, geography and culture through researching my ancestors than I learnt in any classroom. It’s amazing how incredibly interested we become when the topic we are reading is directly related to us. It seems to take on a life of its own and before you know it you’re hooked.
All those dates, places and events, magically sink in because they’re alive. Real people lived and experienced those times: your ancestors, you and your child are the end product of that colossal learning curve.
First of all, we are going to discuss PREPARATION which may take several weeks, depending how vague and complicated your family tree is. Secondly, I’ve shared 3 exciting FAMILY TREE ACTIVITIES that can bring your story to life for everyone! Finally, we’ll take a look at the importance of WHERE TO PLACE your Family Tree for Children in your home – and it’s not shoved in a drawer!
Preparation
- The Family Tree Template
- Who to Include?
- Family Tree Helper’s List
- Family Secrets
- Collecting Information
- Lost Photographs
- Plan a Day and Time
Creating the Family Tree Template
Print off our free template here or gather materials ready for drawing your own Family Tree. Alternatively, There are many places to find Family Tree Templates online. the simplicity of this website is great for teenagers who would like to continue the family tree project digitally. I have no affiliation with them – this is my personal opinion.
Who to include?
We are only going back to the grandparents on either side. If you are doing this with teenagers then feel free to explore your roots further. Check for clarity before you start. How much do you know about the six members on the family tree? Do you have anybody to track down?
Family Tree Helper’s List
Draft a list of people who may know information. e.g. Aunties, uncles, cousins, best friends, neighbours, old school pals. Write contact details alongside each one.
Family Secrets
Do you have any sensitivities around a family member: perhaps a story you prefer your child not to know? Now, is the time to decide what information is going to be shared before you complete the task.
Collecting Information
Gather photographs and stories about Grandparent’s lives. Did they arrive here from foreign climates? What did they do for a living? What was their greatest achievement in life? Perhaps one of them wrote a book – Do you have a copy? Now is the time to gather interesting evidence! You may prefer to create a family tree collage where your child sticks on symbols that represent the family member e.g. Railway man – a train. Housewife – Apron. Writer – a pen.
If photographs have been lost
Find pictures on the internet about where they lived and what they may have worn. Did they experience an important event in history? My Mother wrote a book about my Great Aunt and Uncle who corresponded (Letters to India) during World War I. She gathered many rare photos of the period which brought the characters to life.
Plan a day and time
to complete the Family Tree for Children exercise. Does your child have a grandparent who could attend to share their stories? Alternatively, if they live far away organize a ZOOM call.
3 Exciting Family Tree Activities that won’t Bore the Kids!
If your child/ren are junior school age and above they will enjoy taking the creating a Family Tree exercise a step further. Here are 3 x ideas for your family!
1. Family Tree Road Trip
Creating a road trip to where tree members reside(d) would be an exciting bonding exercise for the whole family!
For example, you may find out you descended from a long line of Miners – go and visit the village and check out where the collieries were. Many have museums that house the history attached. If you provide proof of your family roots, you may even get a free ticket for entry.
Research where your grandparents got married and track down the church – many are still there. This day could turn out to be an amazing fairytale adventure!
2. Family Tree Dinner
Centre a family dinner around a culture you’ve descended from that you weren’t aware of: perhaps, Great Granddad was Italian. That’s easy Pizza and Pasta night!
You may find recipes handed down in your family, make sure you have a copy before they disappear. Is there anything you could create in the kitchen together?
If you don’t find any new cuisine to make, you could find a cookery book from your great grandparents era and cook up a wartime treat. Make it a Family Tree Dinner night your children will remember!
3. Family Tree Movie Night
Do you have an ancestor that appeared in the movies? This may sound like a long shot but you never know. A friend of mine found out, that before he was born, his mother was an actress in old black and white Indian films. He was lucky enough to find the footage which he proudly pops on Facebook every now and then!
It’s great fun creating a movie night around this theme, even if you don’t have a film star in the family. Alternatively, you could choose a film directly related to your heritage by year, place or event.
Where to position the Children’s Family Tree?
Many ‘out of the box’ children, (on the spectrum – ADHD) have a problem with grounding and staying focussed. The creating a family tree for children exercise is perfect for helping them to feel more centred in time and space.
Pop the family tree up on their wall. If they share a bedroom, they should have a designated wall space that is totally for them. I’ll talk more about this later. There are many ornate family trees on offer to use as wall art. One of the largest I’ve seen is the sticker type that can span a whole wall.
If you’re artistic, you may prefer to create your own 3D tree picture. You could also delve deeper and store all of your information in one hardback book creating a valuable keepsake.
Family Tree for Children Feng Shui
If you’re interested in experimenting with Feng Shui, the perfect place to pop your family tree up is centre left on the wall as you enter the door. In addition, make sure this area of the bedroom is clutter free to enhance family relationships.
P.S. I’m not suggesting you put a large computer/TV screen opposite the bed! Nor, am I suggesting their feet should be pointing from the bed towards a door. You’ll learn more about that in a later blog. This diagram is just to show you the ideal position to hang a Family Tree picture if your child has their own bedroom.
Family Tree Shopping
Here are 2 x collections (one for U.S. and U.K.) prices are accurate at time of print.
UK Collection
- Family Name Word Tree
- Family Tree Organizer
- Family Tree Photo Frame
- Family Tree Book (Hardcover)
- The Adopted One Book
- Celtic Family Tree Earrings
- Family Tree Novel Susan Wiggs
- The Family Tree Novel
- Family Tree Wall Frame
Good luck with this Family Healing Academy exercise and let me know in the comments how you get on!
Well done for completing this exercise… Don’t forget to treat yourself! xx
Free Create a Family Tree for Children Template
To print off our free template e-mail us here
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A gold nugget. I like the step by step guide for children and teenagers. It is also a good exercise for anyone really. Love it.
❤️❤️
Thank you Danielle I’m glad you enjoyed it! Yes, you’re right – all families can benefit from this exercise.
What a gold nugget! Love it. The gifts are amazing. Something for everyone. We should all do a family tree for the future grandchildren. Imagine a world where we are grateful for those shoulders we now stand on. ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Brilliant. Thank you.