Making a family tree is a lovely way to spend an afternoon with your kids, and it’s a craft that works for a wide range of ages. Younger children can help with drawing and colouring, while older kids might enjoy turning it into a mini research project, chatting to grandparents or other relatives to fill in the family stories along the way.
All you need is some paper and pens to get started, so it’s an easy one to pull together whenever you have a free hour at home.
You Will Need
- A large sheet of paper (A3 works well)
- Pens or crayons
- Digital photos (optional)
How to Make a Family Tree
1. On your sheet of paper, sketch a large tree outline with a trunk and several rows of branches. Make sure there’s a branch on each side to represent both sides of the family.
2. Write your child’s name and date of birth at the base of the trunk, with Mum and Dad’s names and dates of birth just above, and any siblings placed to either side.
3. Working your way up the tree, start adding the names of family members on each side, following the branches outward. Use the higher branches for older generations, such as grandparents and great-grandparents.
4. If your family has a less traditional shape, feel free to include other important adults in your child’s life, there’s no single “right” way to build a family tree.
5. For an extra step, print out digital photos of family members, or scan in some older family photographs, so everyone’s face appears alongside their name. Alternatively, your child could draw a little portrait of each person instead.
6. Once the names (and photos, if you’re using them) are all in place, decorate the tree by drawing and colouring leaves, or glue on leaf shapes cut from green paper for a more hands-on, textured finish.
7. For older children, turn it into a small research project. Encourage them to talk to grandparents or older relatives and jot down family stories or memories to go with the names on the tree.
Why This Is a Great Family Activity
A family tree gives kids a simple, visual way to understand how they fit into their wider family. It’s also a nice excuse to get relatives involved, whether that’s asking a grandparent for a photo, checking a date of birth, or hearing a story about a great-aunt they’ve never met. Best of all, it’s a screen-free activity that can be picked up and put down over several sittings, so there’s no pressure to finish it in one go.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is a family tree craft suitable for?
This activity works for a broad age range. Younger children can help colour and decorate, while older children can take on more of the writing and research themselves.
Do I need to include every family member?
Not at all. Include whoever is meaningful to your family, whether that’s a traditional set of parents and grandparents, or a wider mix of relatives, step-family and other important adults.
What if we don’t have old family photos?
That’s no problem, drawings or simple portraits work just as well as photos, and can be just as fun for kids to create.
How long does this activity take?
It depends on how detailed you make it. A simple version can be done in an hour, while a photo-and-research version might be spread across a few sittings.
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Looking for More Ideas Like This?
If you enjoyed this activity, take a browse through our other craft and family activity ideas, there are plenty more simple, screen-free projects to try together.
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