Family History for Kids

Learning in a BOX

Subscription boxes are a great way to keep kids entertained and solve the “I’m bored!” complaint. The boxes deliver fun activities right to your door, based on your children’s interests and ages. Best of all, most companies can deliver a box in less than 10 days for a “we can afford it” price.

For STEAM Kids

n xx Steve Spangler Science Club Parents and kids know STEM scientist Steve Spangler from his “DIY Sci” television series – his science club kits are just as entertaining. Each contains materials for up to 5 activities, experiments and design challenges. Step-by-step instruction cards help kids learn the science behind each experiment. STEM Lab Deluxe boxes contain materials for up to 10 activities. Ages 5-12. $19.99-$29.99/month

n xx Kiwi Crate Instill a love of STEAM with this highly-rated subscription service. Each Kiwi kit has the materials to make a kid-tested project focused on science, art or engineering, instruction booklet with more ideas for tinkering, a magazine and online tutorials with tips and tricks. Kiwi has boxes in seven additional themes for kids of all ages. You can also purchase individual projects on their website. Ages 5-8 (Kiwi Crate, other crates range from newborn-16 years). $16.95-$19.95/month

n xx Green Kid Crafts These hands-on science and art kits feature a theme, such as Electricity, Ocean Science or Music, and contain instructions and materials for 4-8 STEAM projects. Also included is a 12-page booklet with more hands-on activities, parent resources and puzzles. Ages 2-4 (Junior Discovery) and 5-10 (Discovery). $24.95-29.95/month

For World Explorers

n xx Little Passports Little Passports is a fun way for kids to learn about world cultures and geography. Choose from World Edition, with a focus on one country each month through souvenirs, coins, activity sheets and photos, or USA Edition, which features two states each month and includes an activity journal, stickers and access to online resources. “First time” box deliveries have extras such as wall-sized maps, guides, passport and a mini suitcase. Ages 6-10 (World Edition), 7-12 (USA Edition) $12.95-$17.95/month

n xx Highlights Top Secret

Adventures

This worldwide detective game lets kids explore, capture a villain and solve a mystery every month. Each kit highlights the people, culture, history, terrain and geography of a particular country, with activities, games, puzzles and photographs. Also included are villain cards, guidebook and mission assignment letter. Ages 7 and older. $15.95/month, plus $2.98 shipping

n xx Little Global Citizens Take your child on a journey though the countries of the world – all from home. Each bi-monthly box includes a children’s guide, crafts and cultural activities, puzzles and quizzes. Also included are recipes and a story book that highlights a cultural element from the country. Ages 4-10. $39.95/month ($49.95 for a sibling box)

For Book Lovers

n xx Literati Book Club Literati is a great way to explore what’s new in children’s books. There are subscription options for kids of all age ranges; each month you’ll receive five unique books, along with a frameable art print and personalized bookplate stickers. Choose any of the books you’d like to keep and return the rest with the prepaid label. Ages newborn-12. $9.95/month, plus the cost of the books you keep

n xx Kids Reveal Kids Reveal has three clubs based on age: Giraffe (1-3), Monkey (3-6) and Fox (6-9). Monthly boxes contain 3-4 books, including picture or story books, chapter books, and activity books. Parents have the option of personalizing selections based on a child’s interests and gender. The books are included in the subscription price. Ages 1-9. $16.67- $19.95/month

n xx Reading Bug This California-based independent bookstore offers subscription boxes for children up to age 13. A staff member will choose the books based on your child’s personal interest and reading level. Boxes include gifts and extras that match the theme of the books, plus a note with reading tips and activities. Ages Newborn-13. $27-$29.99/month, plus $3.50 shipping

FAMILY HISTORY PROJECT

Make Your Heritage Come Alive

Genealogy for kids doesn’t have to be boring. Instead of poring over microfiche and birth and death records, a kid-friendly approach to family history will entice young genealogists to learn about where they came from. Atlanta Parent rounded up these fun ways to pique your family’s interest about its past.

Start with Stories

Kids love stories about themselves and family. Capitalize on their curiosity by telling them oral traditions, or stories that have been passed down verbally by your family. Here are some ways to connect them to their ancestors: n Start with stories about them. Talk about the day they were born, when they first walked and talked, and the funny things they did as toddlers and preschoolers. n Share stories about their parents and grandparents when they were young. They love to hear about the time a parent dealt with a schoolyard bully or how grandparents met and married. n Share what technology, cars and clothes were like when their descendants were young. n Introduce them to the celebrities of the family. The rest of the world may not know them, but the entire family recognizes the humorous, memorable or notorious things they did.

n Play old and new family videos. Compare how the video technology has changed over time.

Give It Props

Like actors on a stage, present your family history with props. Search attics and look for important family pieces like jewelry, furniture, clothes, books, handmade quilts, magazines and old toys. Here are some ways to engage kids with props: n Draw kids in with photographs. They love to see dad when he still had hair or mom when she wore an eighties hairdo. Black and white photos are intriguing because of the differences in fashion, cars and homes. n Make a list of family heirlooms and talk about why each is an important memento. Dig out old technology like rotary phones, old typewriters and ham radios. Show photos or videos of a jukebox. n Visit a museum virtually to look at historic forms of transportation such as steam locomotives, Model T’s and horse drawn carriages.

Show Your Ancestry with Art

Even preschoolers can fill in a simple family tree template, and there are a wide range of free printable ones on the internet. Try these ideas to capture your lineage creatively: n Represent your family tree with photographs and portraits, or produce a digital presentation. Create a family crest or duplicate your own if one already exists. Frame it for a virtual family reunion or to display in your home. n Visit a cemetery and make grave stone rubbings. n Paint portraits from family photographs. n Explore historical handwriting by looking at copies of the Constitution, Declaration of Independence or old family letters. Then let your child explore cursive or hand-lettering with a calligraphy pen or quill. n Design and sew a family quilt with squares of material from family baby blankets, clothes and other quilts. n Make a DIY silhouettes using photographs and frame them or turn them into cameos.

Write it Down

Older kids may enjoy these written ways to document family history: n Interview the oldest person in the family and write their biography or write summaries of his or her favorite times in history. n Writing “I Am From” poems can be fun and interesting for all ages. There are several formulas on the internet to try. n Compile a family cookbook.

Link to Family Landmarks

When I was little, I remember walking around my grandparents’ farm and exploring the smokehouse and hen house and watching my grandmother get water from a working well. Here are some ways to create a tangible connection to the past through terrain, buildings, graves and neighborhoods: n Tour the family cemetery and study the gravestones. Study the death and birth dates on the headstones and talk about what the symbols on the headstones mean. Cont’d on next page

How to Have a Virtual Family Reunion

Summer and family reunions go together like bees and picnics. But with our current situation, families may not be able to gather in person. Why not host a virtual family reunion? To make yours go off without a hitch, try these tips.

n If you don’t already have a family Facebook page, start one before the reunion to share ideas and plan.

n Choose a digital platform. Some to try are Zoom, Google Hangouts, FaceTime, Facebook Portal or Skype. Keep in mind that Zoom’s free service has a 40-minute time limit.

n Designate a host. It’s one thing when everyone is trying to talk at once in person and can even be endearing. On a screen, it can be frustrating. Make sure one person monitors the discussion so everyone gets a turn to share. Remember, the chat option is a good way to let everyone converse without interrupting.

n Have rules that everyone understands before you start. Again, everyone wants to share and have fun.

n Make a meeting schedule, considering time zones and individual schedules. List the virtual activities and time frames for completing them. Some ideas: play games like Family Bingo, or “Guess the Family Member.” Share photos or videos. Share family recipes. If you’ve been doing genealogy with kids and they interviewed an older relative, share what they learned.

n Do a test run with family members who may not be tech-savvy. A family member who is well-versed in technology could check and make sure the meeting is ready to go for someone less familiar before the reunion starts.

n Take a self-guided walking tour of the town where your family originated. Share why buildings were important. n Visit ruins of cities or farms where your family started.

Do Old-Time Chores and Hobbies

Was your great-aunt a master seamstress? Did your great-grandparents produce all their own food from a working farm? Try these ideas to share your ancestor’s pastimes with kids: n Complete a starter cross-stitch kit for kids. Learn to knit from a DIY video on YouTube. Purchase a starter woodworking kit online and build something. n Did you know you can churn butter in a Mason jar or make ice cream in a resealable plastic bag? Allrecipes.com has recipes for both. n Bake and cook from scratch using family recipes. n Grow a vegetable garden and use the produce to make dinner.

Become Descendent Detectives

To kids, research sounds boring. But solving a mystery is exciting. Interest kids by uncovering the family history like a detective: n Explore baby books and old Bibles that include important dates from your family’s lineage. Research what first and last family names mean. n With teens, research family documents such as birth, death and marriage certificates. n Visit websites like Billiongraves.com and Findagrave.com if you have ancestors that lived far away. Using Findagrave, I was able to find my grandparents’ gravestone and a view of their family cemetery in another state online.

Learning about family history

can be a rich, rewarding experience with the right approach. Start a journey through the past with your children and you may keep the tradition going for generations to come.

Resources

Picture Books

What a Family! by Rachel Isadora

The Roots of My Family Tree by Niki Alling

Aunt Claire’s Yellow Beehive Hair by Deborah Blumenthal

My Family Tree and Me by Dusan Petricic

The Matchbox Diary by Paul Fleischman

Chapter Books

Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder

American Girls series by various authors

Non-fiction book to help with headstone symbols: Stories in Stone: A Field Guide to Cemetery Symbolism and Iconography

by Douglas Keister

Websites to help get started:

Familytreemagazine.com

National Archives has genealogy activities for kids: archives.gov/education/family-history

American Ancestors has activities for kids and teens:

americanancestors.org/education/learning-resources/read/youth

Scholastic.com has ideas and printable family tree templates:

scholastic.com/parents/kids-activities-and-printables/activities-forkids/reading-and-writing-ideas/joining-generations-genealogy.html

Open House June 13 by Appointment Only

Bring the joy of music into your home.

The Music Class now oers fun, developmental music classes right at home. Online, interactive classes led by inspiring music teachers will sweep you and your child into playful singing and dancing, together with other participating classmates, in a virtual studio. Unleash the music potential of your young child while keeping them engaged at home. Call for class times or visit our website.

770-645-5578 themusicclass.com/at-home