How to Make a Family Tree – 8 Easy Craft Ideas

Children possess an innate curiosity, driving them to explore their family dynamics through various means. One such engaging method is constructing a family tree, wherein the intricate tapestry of their lineage unfolds. Each family, unique in its composition, holds stories waiting to be discovered. Whether it’s a nuclear unit or a multi-generational household, the family tree serves as a conduit for comprehending kinship ties. Encouraging children to delve into these connections fosters a deeper appreciation for familial bonds and heritage. Allow them the space to navigate and grasp the complexities within their familial network. So here’s everything you need to know on how to draw a family tree for kids.

What Is a Family Tree?

A diagram showing the relationship between people in a family is a family tree. It is generally presented with the oldest generation at the top and the youngest generation at the bottom. The family lineage depicted in a family tree shows bits of recorded history which can make a child feel proud of knowing his roots and understanding how influential they have been.

How Does a Family Tree Benefit a Child’s Learning?

A family tree collage is an interesting way of learning about the heritage and history of the family. It can affect inheritance and be an important clue to a person’s lineage and ancestors. It can impact a child’s learning in many different ways:

• It helps in establishing the lineage for a person’s claim to property and inheritance. For example, families which parted during a major war could get together with the help of a family tree.
• A family tree is of great help to medical professionals as they can find clues to genetic diseases embedded in the members of the family. They can also assess the diseases that are hereditary and suggest preventive measures.
• Children feel secure and stable knowing that they are a tiny part of a bigger whole.
• It has been observed by experts that children who know their family story have higher self-esteem and are happier.
• Discussion about family members can be a great way to learn about language and literacy and celebrate the differences within families.
• Constructing a family tree involves gathering and analyzing information from various sources, such as relatives, historical records, and online databases. This process nurtures critical thinking skills as children evaluate the credibility of information and piece together their family’s puzzle. Additionally, it cultivates research skills as they navigate through different resources to uncover their familial lineage.

How to Create a Family Tree?

If you wish to illustrate your family history, creating a family tree is one of the best ways. As the first basic step, you should research your ancestry display each generation and embellish it to make it presentable. The steps on how to create a family tree chart on paper are given below:

1. Collect the Names You Need to Include in the Family Tree

Collect the names of great-grandparents, grandfathers, grandmothers, uncles, aunts, and cousins and arrange them from the oldest generation downward.

2. Research the Details

The names to be included should be accurate and the names of the grandparents’ siblings and their spouses can be known after talking to older members of the family.

3. Collect the Details You Wish to Highlight

In order to make the family tree informative, you can add birth dates, death dates, marriage dates, and hometowns as well.

4. Add Photos If Possible

A small portrait of the ancestors can be added if they are available. This will make the family tree come alive.

Easy and Innovative Family Tree Craft Ideas for Your Child

There are plenty of eye-catching ideas to make a family tree. Ultimately it should be able to project your family history. It should be the responsibility of each member to update and preserve family history. Check out these innovative ideas on how to make a family tree for kids.

1. Apple Family Tree

You can make your own family apple tree.

What You Need:

• Green and brown paper (stiff) for making the tree
• Scissors and glue
• Red paper for apple cut-outs

How to Make:

1. Trace and cut out the shape of a tree and glue it to the paper.
2. Write the names of family members on apple cut-outs.
3. Glue the apples to the tree.
4. A beautiful family apple tree is ready.

2. Peek-a-Boo Family Tree

It is a simple and easy way to prepare a family tree on the wall. Children can make cute and adorable craftwork and depict family genealogy spanning three or more generations.

What You Need:

• Simple folded paper
• Labels and markers
• Pictures of family members
• Glue
• Green and brown paper

How to Make:

1. Take the paper and write out the titles of the family members on it.
2. Create a secure tree on the wall.
3. Cut the pictures and glue them on the tree.
4. Stick a label over each picture so that they are covered and your child has to lift the label to see it.
5. A beautiful peek-a-boo family tree is ready.

3. Painted Leaves Family Tree

It is one of the easiest ways to make a family tree.

What You Need:

• Some sticks
• Paint of any colour
• Cardboard tube
• Glue
• Old T-shirts
• Paint trays

How to Make:

1. Cut out the cardboard tube into several oval shapes and pinch at the top and bottom.
2. The kids can make any kind of tree using the sticks.
3. Using glue, stick the stems/sticks to the paper.
4. Use the cardboard tube leaves to make paint prints on the paper.
5. Each leaf is labelled as a family member and allowed to dry.

4. Family Tree Sensory Box

It is a lot of fun to sift through pictures of mum and dad, babies, cousins, uncles and aunts, grandpas and grandmas. It is a fun and unique way to make a family tree.

What You Need:

• Family member photos
• Glue, tape, paper, markers
• Cut-outs of leaves
• Fine sensory bin filler (coloured sand)
• Paintbrush
• Crayons or markers (dry erase)

How to Make:

1. Draw a rough tree shape on a paper.
2. Paint it any colour of your choice.
3. Cut out photos of family members and glue them on the tree.
4. Turn it into a fun hide-and-find activity.
5. Hide the laminated pictures at the bottom of a bin covered with coloured sand.
6. A brush can be used to dust away the sand and identify the members.

5. Handprint and Footprint Family Tree

This family tree project for kids is a fun way to track of fall bucket list and requires easily available items. It can display the family photos and for an entire month, kids can be given the opportunity to share the treasured memories with the family in class.

What You Need:

• Card paper
• Brown paper for feet
• Red, orange, and yellow paper for hands
• Glue
• Tape

How to Make:

1. Cut out footprints on the brown paper and adjust them to form the trunk of the tree.
2. Tape this on the wall or glass door.
3. Cut out handprints on the coloured papers and use them as leaves.
4. Write down the names of family members on the leaves to complete the family tree.

6. Button Family Tree

Transform buttons into a vibrant representation of your family tree.

Source: Pinterest

What You Need:

• Large canvas or poster board
• Buttons of various sizes and colors
• Glue
• Marker or paint for labeling

How to Make:

1. Draw or sketch the outline of a tree on the canvas or poster board.
2. Arrange and glue buttons onto the branches to represent family members.
3. Label each button with the respective family member’s name.
4. Add embellishments or decorations as desired to enhance visual appeal.

7. Digital Family Tree Collage

Create a digital collage showcasing your family tree using online tools or software.

What You Need:

• Computer or tablet
• Digital photos of family members
• Collage-making software or online platform

How to Make:

1. Select and organize digital photos of family members.
2. Use collage-making software or an online platform to create a digital collage.
3. Arrange the photos in a tree-like structure, with older generations at the top and younger generations at the bottom.
4. Add labels or captions to identify each family member.
5. Save and print the collage for display or share it digitally with family members.

8. Nature-Inspired Family Tree

Take inspiration from nature to craft a unique family tree using natural materials.

Source: Pinterest

What You Need:

• Twigs or branches
• Leaves or small branches
• String or yarn
• Marker for labeling

How to Make:

1. Arrange twigs or branches to form the shape of a tree.
2. Attach leaves or small branches to represent family members, using string or yarn.
3. Label each leaf or branch with the name of the corresponding family member.
4. Optionally, decorate the tree with additional natural materials such as flowers or pinecones.
5. Display your nature-inspired family tree in a prominent location indoors or outdoors.

These were just some of the many family tree project ideas for kindergarten that you can try.

FAQs

1. How to research family history for making a family tree?

Start by engaging with relatives to collect names, dates, and stories passed down through generations. Utilize online genealogy databases and historical records, such as birth, marriage, and death certificates, census records, and immigration documents. Visiting local archives, libraries, and historical societies can provide valuable resources, including newspapers, city directories, and local histories.

2. What if a child has a complex family structure?

It’s essential to address inclusivity and diversity when creating a family tree, especially if a child’s family structure is complex. Emphasize the importance of including all family members, regardless of biological or legal relationships. Adapt family tree formats to reflect diverse familial connections, such as step-parents, half-siblings, adoptive parents, or guardians. Encourage open conversations about family dynamics and celebrate the richness of familial diversity.

3. From what age should kids learn to make family tree crafts?

Introducing children to the concept of family trees can begin as early as preschool age. As children grow older, gradually introduce more detailed aspects of family history and genealogy. Tailor the complexity of the family tree craft projects to the child’s age and developmental stage, allowing them to explore and appreciate their heritage at their own pace.

We hope you loved these family tree craft for preschooler ideas. Making a family tree chart is a fun activity for the entire family. Family members are the people we share our memories with so creating a family tree can be a wonderful way of celebrating family ties. DIY family tree art can increase creative ideas and make learning fun.

A family tree is a visual documentary of one’s ancestry. The work of creating a family tree will inspire future generations to preserve the family history for the years to come.

Also Read:

Easy Newspaper Craft Ideas for Kids
Creative and Fun Collage Art for Children
Interesting Clay Crafts Ideas for Kids
Construction Paper Crafts Ideas for Children

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