Family History Ideas for Children and Teens

A collection of over 270 articles and blog posts with ideas for teaching, doing, and sharing family history with children and teens. To contribute more ideas to this list or guest post on Family Locket about your ideas, please contact Nicole Dyer at nicole@familylocket.com. Please let me know if you find broken links. Updated 16 April 2021.

Websites

Inspire Family History – Shenley Puterbaugh created this helpful site with ideas and articles about inspiring children of all ages to love family history.

Make Family History – Creative and effective ideas for engaging teens in family history by using the technology they love to create family history related projects

Growing Little Leaves – Emily Kowalski Schroeder, in partnership with the Indiana Historical Society, has created fun, engaging, hands-on activities to help children learn more about their family and their family’s history

The Genealogy Kids – Created by Jana Greenhalgh and her children, this website includes a blog with fun ideas by kids for other kids

Familienforscher – “Family Researcher” – a German website with a collection of resources for educators, teachers, families and clubs to engage children in genealogy and family history

 

Activities

Games (22)

Brave Ancestors Scavenger Hunt (Nicole, FamilyLocket)

Family Map Game (Nicole, FamilyLocket)

World Family History Game (Sheena, Little LDS Ideas)

DIY Ancestor Card Game – A Mini Tutorial (Genealogy Jen, Repurposed Genealogy)

Family History Bingo (Heidi, A Lively Hope)

Fun Ways to Display Old Family Photos –I Spy Photo Game (Montserrat, Cranial Hiccups)

Kids Family Tree Placemat Games Ideas (Michelina, Preserving Heritage)

Family History Puzzles  – A Great FHE Activity (Sheena, Little LDS Ideas)

7 Fun Genealogy Games for Kids (Janice Nickerson, Inside Toronto)

Portable Family Tree Magnetic Game (Michelina, Preserving Heritage)

Don’t Eat Grandpa Pete: Family History Game for Kids (Lisa, Making Life Blissful)

Playing the Genealogy Board Game – What Fun! (Lorine McGinnis Schulze, Olive Tree Genealogy)

A Genealogy Board Game for Children Part 1 (Lorine McGinnis Schulze, Olive Tree Genealogy)

A Genealogy Board Game for Children Part 2 (Lorine McGinnis Schulze, Olive Tree Genealogy)

A Genealogy Board Game for Children Part 3 (Lorine McGinnis Schulze, Olive Tree Genealogy)

A Genealogy Board Game for Children Part 4 (Lorine McGinnis Schulze, Olive Tree Genealogy)

Ancestor Cards for Children – Ancestor Game, Go Fish for Ancestors (Lorine McGinnis Schulze, Olive Tree Genealogy)

I Spy With My Genealogy Eye… – Name that Ancestor (Lorine McGinnis Schulze, Olive Tree Genealogy)

Engaging the Next Generation of Genealogists – Name that Ancestor Trivia Game (Valerie Hughes, Genealogy with Valerie)

Family History Bingo (Taralynn, Keep Moving Forward With Me)

Family Tree Matching Game For Kids (Taralynn, Keep Moving Forward With Me)

Game Ideas (Shenley Puterbaugh, Inspire Family History)

 

Online Games or Apps (8)

Ancestor Games (BYU Family History and Technology Lab)

Geneopardy (BYU Family History and Technology Lab)

Wheel of Family Fortune (BYU Family History and Technology Lab)

Record Quest (BYU Family History and Technology Lab)

Relative Finder – Discover connections between you, presidents, prophets, and your friends! (BYU Family History and Technology Lab)

Grandma’s Pie – see where your ancestry is from at a glance (BYU Family History and Technology Lab)

GrandMem – Memory Game with Pictures from Your Family Tree

Twile – Interactive Timeline

 

Crafts (11)

Using Dolls to Share Family History Stories (Montserrat, Cranial Hiccups)

Historical Paper Dolls (Nadene Esterhuizen, Practical Pages)

Family History Family Activity – Coloring pages, binder (Kathleen, Heritage Collector Storybook)

Ancestor Coloring Page (Nicole Dyer, Family Locket)

Make a Photo Pendant (Nicole Dyer, Family Locket)

Make Family History Gallery – see how others are making family history (MakeFamilyHistory.org)

Create a Holiday Keepsake – Ancestral Ornaments (American Ancestors)

Valentine Heart Family Tree (Emily Schroeder, Growing Little Leaves)

Ghosts of our Ancestors (Emily Schroeder, Growing Little Leaves)

Ancestor Stepping Stones: More Genealogy Fun With Children (Lorine McGinnis Schulze, Olive Tree Genealogy)

Arts and Crafts Ideas (Shenley Puterbaugh, Inspire Family History)

 

Activities (28)

Family History Mystery (LDS Friend Magazine)

Family History Treasure Hunt (Victoria, Homemaking with Heart)

Family Photo Essay (Korey Marquez, Education)

DNA, Ancestry, and Who You Are (Montserrat, Cranial Hiccups)

Creative Ways to Get Your Kids Excited About Family History Month, Parts 1-4 (Jessica Murray, Ancestry Blog)

Part 1 – Cemetery Scavenger Hunt, Genealogy Glossary, Bingo  (Jessica Murray, Ancestry Blog)

Part 2 – Little Detectives, Family Cookbook, Flash Cards (Jessica Murray, Ancestry Blog)

Part 3 – Journalist, Board Games, Timelines (Jessica Murray, Ancestry Blog)

Part 4 – Family Tree, Where in the World, Road Trip (Jessica Murray, Ancestry Blog)

Make Family History Fun with LEGO – (Genealogy Jen, Repurposed Genealogy)

The Third Grader’s 1850 Census (Michael John Neill, RootDig)

Honor Your Heritage With Heirlooms – Using Instragram With Teens (Diana Elder, Family Locket)

Family History Valentine’s Day Decorations (Nicole Dyer, Family Locket)

Exploring History: My Life Timeline Activity (Family Education)

Genealogy Activities for Thanksgiving (Family Education)

Joining the Generations with Genealogy – Family History Detective Kit (Parents)

Visualizing Family Relationships (Emily Schroeder, Growing Little Leaves)

The Play Doh Pedigree Chart (Emily Schroeder, Growing Little Leaves)

Immigration Mapping (Emily Schroeder, Growing Little Leaves)

Family History Easter Egg Hunt (Kim Chase, Life’s Journey to Perfection)

Making a Genealogy Video With Children (Lorine McGinnis Schulze, Olive Tree Genealogy)

Genealogy Cemetery Hunt for Children (Lorine McGinnis Schulze, Olive Tree Genealogy)

Genealogy Remembrance Garden (Lorine McGinnis Schulze, Olive Tree Genealogy)

Do You Know Your Family Tree? – Making a Family Book (Marian Wilde, Great Kids)

Follow Family Traits with an Easy Tree – A family Father’s Day activity from Science Buddies (Scientific American)

Succession Science: Are Fingerprint Patterns Inherited? A Father’s Day inheritance investigation from Science Buddies (Scientific American)

#MyColorfulAncestry for Kids (Emily Schroeder, Growing Little Leaves)

Family History Magic & Involving Your Family! – Recording Grandparents reading storybooks for your kids (Amberly, The Genealogy Girl)

Spirits from the Past Visit Blanding Castle House – stake youth activity blending family and local history (San Juan Bits & Pieces)

 

Storytelling (7)

Family Stories and Mission Statements (Nicole Dyer, Family Locket)

How to Make Your Family History Book Kid Friendly (Nicole Dyer, Family Locket)

Make an Illustrated Storybook of Ancestors (Nicole Dyer, Family Locket)

Strengthening Children Through Family History: Bruce Feiler’s Tips from RootsTech 2016 (Nicole Dyer, Family Locket)

Family History for Kids: 3 Ways to Interest Young People in Genealogy – sharing stories with kids (Lisa Louise and Lacey Cooke, Genealogy Gems)

Family History for Kids Starts WITH the Kids – getting kids to tell their early memories (Sunny, Genealogy Gems)

Story Ideas (Shenley Puterbaugh, Inspire Family History)

 

Interviewing (4)

Lessons I learned when you turned 100 – includes interview questions for grandparents (Allison Hendrix, The House of Hendrix)

Collecting Family Stories (Story Arts)

Family History Interviews Printable (Jill Greenlaw, Mom It Forward)

Genealogy for Kids: Conducting Interviews (Jennifer, Climbing My Family Tree)

 

Scouting (3)

Boy Scouts of America Genealogy Merit Badge (US Scouting Service Project)

Billion Graves Cemetery Documentation Eagle Scout Projects (Billion Graves)

Eagle Scout Service Project Ideas Involving Family and Local History (Linda Mahood Morgan)

 

Family Tree Crafts (11)

Women’s History Month Family Tree Crafts for Kids (Amy Vowles, She Knows)

3D DIY Family Tree (Jonathan Fong, ehow)

Kandinsky Style Family Trees (Jill, Mrs. T’s First Grade Class)

Memory Keeping – Free Family Tree Template (Andrea Genevieve Michnik, Modern Parents Messy Kids)

9 Family Tree Activities for Kids (Chelsey, Buggy and Buddy)

My First Family Tree (Jodi Butler from Family Fun, Parents)

Family History Heart – with pedigree inside (LDS Friend Magazine)

Family Tree and other Family Crafts (Enchanted Learning)

Over 50 Family Tree Crafts Patterns (AllCrafts)

Family Tree Activity (Trish Kuffner, Family Education)

Who’s Who in My Family – Family Tree Diagram (Nicole Dyer, Family Locket)

 

Printables (12)

My Family Tree (Kari, LDS Lane)

Freebie Family History Notebook (Besty, Notebooking Nook)

Family Tree Templates (Family Tree Templates)

Family Tree Form (Family Tree Magazine – Kids)

LDS Family History Coloring Pages (LDS.org)

My Family Tree (LDS.org)

Family Tree (Family Education)

Family Apple Tree (KY Gen Web)

Family Tree for Children (Lee County Genealogical Society)

Family Tree Templates for Kids – Owl Family Tree, Tree for Preschoolers, Fir Tree (Kate Miller-Wilson, Love to Know)

Free Printables from Growing Little Leaves (Emily Schroeder, Growing Little Leaves)

My Family History Notebook (The Notebooking Nook)

 

 

Idea Lists

 

 General (21)

Make Family History Activities – using photos, videos, art, and more. (MakeFamilyHistory.org)

Kids, Teens, and the Next Generation (Cyndi’s List)

Family Tree Kids! – Making Family History Fun (Family Tree Magazine)

Family History and Genealogy (Family Education)

Family History Activities for Children Ages 3-11 (FamilySearch Wiki)

Family History Activities for Youth 12+ (FamilySearch Wiki)

Involve Children and Youth in Family History (FamilySearch Wiki)

15 Ways for Teaching Kids Respect and Appreciation for Previous Generations (Krissy, B-Inspired Mama)

Resources for Children (The Family History Guide)

USGenWeb Kidz (Dee Pavey, USGenWeb)

Connecting Children With Their Past (Jennifer Holik, Archives.com)

5 Ways to Get Kids Interested in Genealogy (Melanie, Obituaries Help)

101+ Fun Family History Activities for Kids (Linda Mahood Morgan)

Family Tree Fun (Family Tree Fun for the Whole Family)

Our BIG List of Family History Activities (The Genealogy Kids)

Kid-Friendly Genealogy Activities, Projects and Crafts (Emily Schroeder, Growing Little Leaves)

5 Easy Ways to Involve Kids in Family History (Marianne Holman Prescott, LDS Church News)

Kids Stuff in the Expo Hall at RootsTech 2016 (Jana Greenhalgh, The Genealogy Kids)

Inspire Family History Idea List by Category (Shenley Puterbaugh, Inspire Family History)

 

Reunions (13)

Ten Ideas for More Meaningful Family Gatherings (Jim Ericson, FamilySearch Blog)

10 Fun Family History Ideas for Family Reunions (Kimberly Powell, About.com)

Super Fun Ideas for Family Reunions (Catherine Newman from Family Fun, Parents)

Grow your Family Tree With These Reunion Ideas (Treasure Maps Genealogy)

Family Fun Day – Let the Games Begin 2011 – Ancestor themed reunion games (Lorine McGinnis Schulze, Olive Tree Genealogy)

Genealogy Games For a Family Reunion: Part 1 (Lorine McGinnis Schulze, Olive Tree Genealogy)

Genealogy Games For a Family Reunion: Part 2 Ancestor Cards (Lorine McGinnis Schulze, Olive Tree Genealogy)

Genealogy Games For a Family Reunion: Part 3 Race Events and Eggs (Lorine McGinnis Schulze, Olive Tree Genealogy)

Genealogy Games For a Family Reunion: Part 4 Ancestor Match (Lorine McGinnis Schulze, Olive Tree Genealogy)

10 Tips for a Successful Family Reunion 2011  (Lorine McGinnis Schulze, Olive Tree Genealogy)

Planning A Family Fun Day aka Reunion 2012 (Lorine McGinnis Schulze, Olive Tree Genealogy)

Games for a Family Dun Day 2012 (Lorine McGinnis Schulze, Olive Tree Genealogy)

Games for Annual Family Fun Day 2012 (Lorine McGinnis Schulze, Olive Tree Genealogy)

20 Fun Indoor/Outdoor Games for Family Reunions  (Brian, OutsideHow)

 

School and Books

 

Unit and Lesson Plans for School Teachers (15)

Grades PreK-2

Brown Paper Bag Family Memories, Grades PreK-K (Steven Hicks, Scholastic)

Family Quilts Keep Us Warm, Grades PreK-K (Steven Hicks, Scholastic)

My Piece of History, Lesson Plan, Grades K-2 (EDSITEment)

What is History? Timelines and Oral History, Lesson Plan, Grades K-2 (EDSITEment)

Immigrants – Our Ancestors, Unit Plan, Grades 1-2 (Ruth Manna, Scholastic)

Tracing our own Family Pilgrimages, Lesson Plan, Grades Pre K-2 (Scholastic)

Me and My Family Tree Book Lesson Plan (Kirkus Associates)

Who’s Who in My Family? Lesson Plan Ideas, Family Tree Diagram Activity, and Discussion Questions (Nicole Dyer, Family Locket)

Grades 3-5

We are History – Family Stories, Unit Plan, Grades 3-5 (Bryna Watkins and Valeta Pafford, Scholastic)

Where I Come From, Lesson Plan, Grades 3-5 (EDSITEment)

Celebrate Your Heritage, Unit Plan, Grades 3-5(Genia Connell, Scholastic)

A Family Tree, Lesson Plan, Grades 3-5 (Teacher Vision)

Grades 6-12

Listening to History – Family Stories, Lesson Plan, Grades 6-8 (EDSITEMent)

Genealogy: Coming to America, Unit Plan, Grades 6-8 (Debra L. Clark, National First Ladies Library)

Teaching With Documents: Little House in the Census, Lesson Plan, Grades 7-12 (National Archives)

 

Science Fair Projects (4)

The Tree of Life I – Family Trees in Biology Science Fair Project (ScienceBuddies.org)

The Tree of Life II (Advanced) – Family Trees in Biology Science Fair Project (ScienceBuddies.org)

Pedigree Analysis: A Family Tree of Traits (ScienceBuddies.org)

Are Fingerprint Patterns Inherited? (ScienceBuddies.org)

 

Other School Ideas and Lists (7)

Exploring Family Heritage (Scholastic)

List of Family Tree Lesson Plans (Kimberly Powell, About.com)

Family Lesson Plans, Activities, Printables, and Ideas (A to Z Teacher Stuff)

Family Tree School Project Ideas and More (Family Tree Fun)

Genealogy in the Classroom – Resources for Students and Teachers (Victoria Genealogical Society)

Lesson Plans (Emily Schroeder, Growing Little Leaves)

Using Genealogical Societies to Help Kids Learn About Other Cultures (Randy Seaver, Genea-Musings)

 

Homeschooling Ideas (18)

Family History for Kids (Karyn Tripp, Teach Beside Me)

Family History Projects for Children (Victoria, Homemaking with Heart)

Genealogy for Kids: My Ancestor Notebooking Page (Jennifer, Climbing My Family Tree)

Genealogy for Kids: My Ancestors in the Civil War (Jennifer, Climbing My Family Tree)

Genealogy for Kids: Jobs of My Ancestors (Jennifer, Climbing My Family Tree)

Genealogy for Kids: Ancestor Scavenger Hunt (Jennifer, Climbing My Family Tree)

Genealogy for Kids: Family Tree Notebooking Page (Jennifer, Climbing My Family Tree)

School+Genealogy = History Becomes Personal (Melissa Finlay, Finlay Family)

12 Ideas to Incorporate Family History Into Your ENGLISH Curriculum (Shenley Puterbaugh, Inspire Family History)

8 Ideas to Incorporate Family History into Your ART Curriculum (Shenley Puterbaugh, Inspire Family History)

5 Ideas to Incorporate Family History Into Your HISTORY Curriculum (Shenley Puterbaugh, Inspire Family History)

5 Ways to Incorporate Family History Naturally at Home (Shenley Puterbaugh, Inspire Family History)

Children’s Books about Family History (15)

6 Children’s Books about Family History (Nicole Dyer, Family Locket)

5 Children’s Books about Family Trees (Nicole Dyer, Family Locket)

Review of My Mother’s Pearls (Nicole Dyer, Family Locket)

Family History Children’s Picture Books – List of 14 (Kami, GoodReads)

Books for Teaching About Immigration (Scholastic)

Two More Children’s Books on Family History (Randy Seaver, Genea-Musings)

Kickstarter Campaign for a Children’s Illustrated Family History Book (Randy Seaver, Genea-Musings)

Zap the Grandma Gap Activity Books for Youth and Children  (Zap the Grandma Gap)

Janet Hovorka’s “Zap the Grandma Gap” Book Released (Randy Seaver, Genea-Musings)

Zap the Grandma Gap Book Releases – Getting Kids Hooked On Family History (Randy Seaver, Genea-Musings)

Zap the Grandma Gap Power-Up Workbook  (Randy Seaver, Genea-Musings)

Book Notice: “Aspen’s Roots,” by Paul Sullivan (Randy Seaver, Genea-Musings)

Books for Kids (American Ancestors)

Children’s Books that Inspire Family History (Shenley Puterbaugh, Inspire Family History)

 

 

LDS Ideas

 

Family Home Evening (12)

Family History Family Home Evening Lesson 1 – Includes printables (Melia, Brightly Street)

Family History and Temple Work (Emilie Ahern, A Year of FHE)

History of My Own (Emilie Ahern, A Year of FHE)

Legacy of Faith (Emilie Ahern, A Year of FHE)

Where in the World (Emilie Ahern, A Year of FHE)

Priceless Heritage of Hope (Jocelyn Christensen, Being LDS)

Conversion Story of Roger A Osborne (Jocelyn Christensen, Being LDS)

Family Home Evening on “July 2014 FIRST PRESIDENCY MESSAGE: The Promise of Hearts Turning, BY PRESIDENT HENRY B. EYRING” (Kim Chase, Life’s Journey to Perfection)

Family Home Evening: Faith in God (Prepare a Pedigree Chart…) Week 1(Kim Chase, Life’s Journey to Perfection)

Family Home Evening: Faith in God (Prepare a Pedigree Chart…) Week 2 (Kim Chase, Life’s Journey to Perfection)

Family Home Evening: Family History Week 3 (Family Guess Who Game) (Kim Chase, Life’s Journey to Perfection)

Family Tree Explorers – FamilySearch Lesson Plan for Primary aged children (Nicole Dyer, Family Locket)

 

Primary Lessons (2)

LDS Primary Sharing Time June 2014 Week 4: Family history work connects me to my ancestors. (Kim Chase, Life’s Journey to Perfection)

I have a Family Tree with Branches By the Dozen – Primary Sharing Time Ideas (Diana Elder, Family Locket)

 

LDS Children’s Activities (7)

Finding Franklin in a Time Machine Activity (Lindsey Crouch, Family Locket)

Activity Day – Family History  (Angela, A Bushel and a Peck)

Bring an Ancestor to Activity Days! (LDS Activity Days)

Cemetery Scavenger Hunt (LDS Activity Days)

What’s In a Name? (LDS Activity Days)

Calendars (LDS Activity Days)

Where in the World? (LDS Activity Days)

Family History Lesson (LDS Activity Days)

LDS Family History Printable Coloring Pages (LDS.org)

 

LDS Youth Activities (14)

Punch your Passport and Embark – Youth Family History Activity (Anita, Eat Think and Be Merry)

Mission Possible Youth Activity (Diana Elder, Family Locket)

Mission Possible Family History Activity (Trisha, Let’s Get Together)

Ward Family History Fair – ideas for youth classes to help (Diana Elder, Family Locket)

Finding Franklin – Helping Youth Use Census Records (Diana Elder, Family Locket)

Young Women Night of Excellence – Family History Fair (Camille Gillham, Chicken Scratch n Sniff)

Create a Family Tree – Young Women Activity (Sariah Tate, Tricks of the Motherhood Trade)

Youth Family History Plan (Genealogy for Youth)

 

Ideas from LDS bloggers (13)

Learning to Strengthen Eternal Family Bonds One Day at a Time (Camille Gillham, Chicken Scratch n Sniff)

Families Are Forever – Tile Memory Game (Jocelyn Christensen, Being LDS)

Turning Family History Into a Favorite Family Activity – Celebrate ancestor’s birthdays, cemetery rubbings, etc. (Camille Gillham, Chicken Scratch n Sniff)

7 Fabulous Family History Games (Camille Gillham, Chicken Scratch n Sniff)

Discovering Family History Around the Dinner Table (Camille Gillham, Chicken Scratch n Sniff)

My Family’s Fun with Family History – A Family’s Visit to the FamilySearch Discovery Center in Salt Lake City, Utah (Duncan Kuehn, Genealogy Bank Blog)

Family History is For Everyone – YW Personal Progress Project (Nicole Dyer, Family Locket)

Lehi’s Genealogy Discovery – Sharing stories for the benefit of children (Nicole Dyer, Family Locket)

LDS Young Women Value Projects Involving Family and Local History (Linda Mahood Morgan)

Family History – Elder Bednar’s Talk and Recreating and Ancestor Photo (Family Portfolio)

Teaching Your Children the Importance of Journal Writing (Kendra, The Things I Love the Most)

Searching vs Surfing for a name – helping youth find names for the temple (Nicole Dyer, Family Locket)

 

Lists of Ideas from Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and FamilSearch (4)

Family History is for Everyone: Ideas for Parents (ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

Family History Resources for Primary (LDS Friend Magazine)

Family History Discovery Activities – FamilySearch

FamilySearch Discovery In-Home Activities – FamilySearch

 

Videos (2)

What is a Family Tree? – Children asked “What is a family tree?” provide some thoughtful, interesting, entertaining, and surprising answers. How would you explain the concept of a family tree or ancestry to children? (LDS.org Media Library)

RootsTech 2021 Ideas for Children and Families – RootsTech video series

 

Why Teach Family History to Children (14)

Articles and blog posts that talk about why family history is beneficial for young people

The Role You Can Play in Family History Right Now (Rebecca Cooper, Simple As That Blog)

The Family Stories that Bind Us (Bruce Feiler, NY Times)

The Stories That Bind Us: What Are the Twenty Questions? (Marshall P. Duke, Huffington Post)

The Stories of our Families: How Much to We Actually Know? (Dr. Robert Brooks)

Your Ancestor Owned Slaves? Don’t Run from it; Tell the Kids. (Kelly Wallace, CNN)

What Does Your Child’s Self Esteem Have To Do With Family History (Ten Cows Inc., LDS Living)

Use Your Family History “Taproots” to Help Anchor Children (Twila VanLeer, LDS Church News)

Tell Me A Story (Montserrat, Cranial Hiccups)

Family History and Homemaking – Creating an environment in your home (Victoria, Homemaking with Heart)

Why Make Family History? Connect with your family history by doing what you love. (Make Family History)

Articles, blogs, and websites about Genealogy for Children (Emily Schroeder, Growing Little Leaves)

The One Reason Your Kids Need to Hear Your Family History (Lisa, Making Life Blissful)

Strengthening Children Through Family History: Bruce Feiler’s Tips from RootsTech 2016 (Nicole Dyer, Family Locket)

Why should children learn their family history? (Shenley Putberbaugh, Inspire Family History)

 

 

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Please share additional blog posts and articles that we have missed: nicole@familylocket.com.