Family Tree Template for Kids

A family tree template for kids can be something as simple as a drawing on which you place names of family members, or it can be a more complex template that includes a lot of detail and multiple generations.

Start with the Basics

Genealogy can be very complex. The information about many generations can be confusing. That doesn't mean that genealogy can't be fun for kids. It just means that the genealogy project must be specially designed for the kids who are involved.

When you are doing a family tree with kids, it is important to remember your goals and create a very simple way to portray the family history information. This means that the project might only reflect a few generations of family history or that the actual family information is presented in an easy-to-understand format.

Usually a family tree project with kids is started as a fun way to help the child discover where they fit in their overall family relationship. It could be a great project to undertake before the child meets their out-of-town grandparents. Or the project could be initiated as part of a school's family history day. Regardless of the reason for starting the project, the design of the project should be tailored for the child.

Selecting a Family Tree Template for Kids

A family tree template and project design should adapt to the child's age. Projects for younger children should be very simple, using familiar, colorful shapes with the names and photos of their immediate family members. For older children, the project can be a little more complex in design and, depending on the child, could also include a feeling of history.

Preschool and Grade School

The goal of this project should be to educate the child about their immediate family members. The adult gathers the information and helps the child construct the project.

For example, a good family tree template for kids is a simple tree design combined with fruit shapes which can become the basis for the project. Here's how:

The adult draws an outline of a tree on a piece of poster board.
The child then colors in the tree and draws on the board whatever else they want to add to their picture, such as flowers, birds and the sun.
The adult then glues simple fruit shapes made out of felt onto the tree. The design of the fruit can be freeform, or you can trace a free design from the Internet such as those offered at freeapplique.com. The fruits are placed in the shape of a triangle, starting with one fruit at the top for the child, two fruits in the next row down for the parents and four fruits on the bottom row for the grandparents. The number of fruits can always be adjusted to reflect the child's actual family relationships, adding extra fruit shapes for step parents, etc.
The adult places self-adhesive hook-and-loop dots on the backs of pictures of each family member. If the child can read, the pictures can also include the names of the family members.
The adult then places the pictures onto the appropriate piece of felt fruit. The hook-and-loop dot will make the picture stick to the felt and will allow the child to interact with the completed project by removing and replacing the picture.

Older Children

Goals for a family tree project with older children can be more complex, and the design does not need to be as simple as it needs to be for a younger child. The goal could be to prepare a family tree to share at school or at a family reunion or to give to a family member as a unique birthday gift.

Consider using a more complex family tree template. Kids of this age are likely to get bored and lose interest in the project if the template is too simplistic. Try to get the older child to become very involved in designing the tree and in developing the family information which will be added to the tree. A high school-aged boy or girl may be excited about drawing a gothic-inspired tree, while a middle-school student may prefer a more traditional style tree.

Here are a few ideas which can add to the interest for older children:

Have the purpose of the project be to create a poster for the child's room or to give to a family member as a gift.
Encourage the child to select a family tree template from the Internet. Print the screen, and then have the image enlarged at a local copy store. Poster-sized images are great fun for room décor, and they can be easily mailed to family members in a mailing tube.
Work with the child to select photos of each family member to add to the poster. Older children may like to take photo at a family function to add to their family tree.
Ask the child to research the information for the family tree by interviewing each of their family members to determine their birthday, place of birth, names of brother and sisters, etc. The interviewing can be in-person, by phone or by writing a letter to the family member.
Encourage the child to learn about their family's coat of arms. Adding the coat of arms to the family tree poster can be a fun visual addition.

Graphics and Clip Art

You can embellish the look of the project by using some of the readily-available designs and clipart on the Internet:

Some websites, such as familytreetemplates.net, offer family tree templates that include fun shapes on their family trees onto which you can add your family relationship information. These unique shapes are usually much more fun for kids' projects than the rectangles and circles that are usually found on a traditional family tree template.
For more detailed projects that include more family members on the family tree, consider using the outlines of male and female shapes on the papervalentines.com website.

Tips for Great Projects

Here are a few tips to boost up the fun level on your project:

Try to minimize the number of generations presented in the family tree, especially in family tree projects for younger children. Depending on the child's interest in history, an older child may be more interested in older generations if you can tie the timeframe in which the family member lived to historical activities in which the child has an interest (such as the bombing of Pearl Harbor or the Civil War).
Use a graphically interesting template that is geared for the interest and age of the child.
Create a family tree that is poster-sized. It will be easier to work on, and it can make a fun addition to their bedroom.
Don't assume that your child is a budding genealogist and will want to continue tracing their family tree just because they have fun on their family tree project. Enjoy the time you spend together on the project, and don't be disappointed if the child's interest wanes after the project is completed.

Completing a family tree project is a fun way for children to learn more about their family history. But remember, the template you use and the look of the finished project are less important than the opportunity for a child to learn a little more about their family.

Initial Author: Susan

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