How To Make a Family Tree With Kids

A family tree is a genealogical chart documenting a person's ancestry. The diagram represents generations of family members and their relationships to one another.

Making a family tree has several benefits for kids. It can help them build a core identity, develop an interest in history, and bond with relatives.

It's pretty easy to make a family tree for kids at home, so keep reading for a guide on tracing your family's roots. We also made a simple family tree template you can download at home.

Benefits of Family Trees for Kids

As it turns out, family trees are more than just a fun activity for a rainy afternoon. Making one has many benefits for kids.

Builds a stronger self-identity

First and foremost, family trees encourage kids to build a core identity and discover their roots. They can learn, for example, that their great-grandmother was born in Ireland.

This information helps them realize they're a part of something bigger than themselves. It gives them a sense of belonging while opening their eyes to their uniqueness.

Develops an interest in history

Some young people think history is boring, but it doesn't need to be! When kids learn about their roots and ancestors, they can personally connect to history in a unique way, making the subject more interesting and relevant.

For example, if your child's great-great-grandfather was a soldier in World War II, the stories of the Battle of Normandy are suddenly of flesh and blood. In this way, family trees can bring history to life.

Encourages children to bond with relatives

Creating a family tree for kids may help them discover they have personalities and characteristics similar to those of their aunts, uncles, and cousins. Knowing how they fit into the chart will help them relate to their relatives and establish connections between them. Forming meaningful familial and social connections is critical to living a happier, more fulfilling life.

Promotes higher self-esteem

Researchers have found that the stories people tell about their personal, family, clan, tribal, and national past contribute to their self-esteem. So, teaching kids about their ancestry gives them the material to begin telling these stories.

Sheds light on your family's medical history

A wide range of conditions and diseases can be passed down genetically. There is a wide range of diseases that have a genetic component such as certain cancers, congenital disabilities, heart and respiratory problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, and mental illnesses.

Making a family tree can provide valuable information about the health concerns that run in your family, helping children make informed decisions about their lifestyles and medical care.

Cultivates empathy and resilience

Learning about any obstacles, struggles, or tragedies their ancestors encountered can give children the courage to face their own challenges. Talking about the hard stuff in your family's past can also cultivate your child's compassion by providing context for their relatives' life choices and circumstances. Understanding life's complexities can help kids foster empathy for others and grace for themselves.

How To Make a Family Tree for Kids

There are no set rules on what to include in a family tree. It can be as simple or comprehensive as you want it to be. You may also be limited by how much or how little information you have about your family's history. For Black Americans who are descendants of enslaved Africans, for example, it can be especially difficult to trace ancestry back more than several generations.

A basic family tree may include your child, you and your partner, their grandparents, and their great-grandparents. On the other hand, a more comprehensive family tree chart might consist of your child, you and your partner, siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins going back multiple generations.

For adopted children, family trees may include information about both their adoptive family members and known birth family members. Children in blended families may choose to include step-parents, step-siblings, and half-siblings. Who you include is up to you.

Compile information

No matter what route you decide to go, the first step in making a family tree is compiling information about your child's genealogy. This means collecting family members' names, hometowns, careers, achievements, known locations, birthdates, and death dates (when applicable).

If you can, add photos of each ancestor to help bring the family tree to life. If you're unsure about details, ask other family members or visit libraries and genealogy sites to find documents that can trace and verify your child's heritage.

Create a family tree outline

Next, create an outline of the family tree. Start by arranging your child's ancestors from oldest to youngest downwards, tracing back to your child.

A box, rectangle, or circle will represent each family member. These shapes will then be connected by lines to represent relationships. Once you've done this, you can add in all the information you researched earlier.

Distribute the final family tree

Finally, encourage your child to distribute their family tree to your relatives. Looking at the family tree together can elicit meaningful conversation and bonding. Some family members may have more information to add to each leaf or family stories to share.

Printable Family Tree for Kids

If you want to make your own family tree, consider downloading our simple family tree template. Remember that your child (the person the tree is created for) should be in the bottom box. Their parents are one row above them, grandparents are two rows above them, and so on. If your child has siblings, you can add boxes parallel to their own box (they'll also be on the bottom row).