Family History Activities for Youth

Have you ever wanted to involve youth in Family History and Genealogical activites? Here are some suggestions:

Family History Library SUMMER of SLEUTHING - SOS!


 * Are you looking for a fun activity to keep your children occupied this summer?
 * Would you like to learn more about your family?
 * Do you need a kick start to organize your family records?

Welcome to the Family History Library’s “Summer of Sleuthing—Save Our Ancestors” (SOS) program. This online summer program will teach you and your family how family history can be fun, informative, and rewarding. With a series of weekly challenges, you and your family can participate in activities that will help you to learn more about yourselves and your ancestors. Take time this summer to discover the roots of your family tree and explore the branches. These activities can give your family a connection to the past, an identity for the present, and a foundation for future success. We encourage you and your family to help each other complete the Summer of Sleuthing challenges. The challenges are tailored for age groups. Click the links below for the challenges:


 * Preschool Children
 * Children
 * Teenager
 * Adult

Click the links below for activities and forms that will help you complete your challenges. Activities:


 * “Sleuthing Family Picture”
 * “Suggested Ideas for Interviewing Relatives”
 * “Questions for a Life Story”
 * “Clothes Make the Ancestor”
 * “My Journal—All About Me”
 * “Timelines”

Forms:


 * Pedigree Chart
 * Picture Pedigree Charts
 * Family Group Record

As part of the challenges, you are encouraged to keep a journal of your experiences and create memories together as a family. You are welcome to share this activity with other families as well. We hope that this experience will bring your family closer together and that you will gain an appreciation for the lasting treasures to be found in family history work. Please note: There are challenges offered to accomplish activities in youth programs such as Cub Scouts (click the Children challenge) and Girl Scouts (click the Teenage challenge). There are also challenges for LDS families to accomplish activities in Achievement Days, Young Women, and Young Men. Once you have completed the activities and challenges you can print your own Summer of Sleuthing Certificate.

To help us improve Summer of Sleuthing please let us know about your experience here.

Family Tree Kids - Making Family History Fun

Working on a school project about your family history? Wondering if you're related to a princess or a Viking? Maybe you've heard a story about a Civil War soldier in your family, or you have the same last name as someone famous and want to find out if you're related. You've come to the right place! Family Tree Kids is a site where you learn how to become a "family detective" and dig up clues about your ancestry. Our games and activities are created just for kids—none of that boring grownup stuff—so you can have fun tracing your roots!

Family Tree Posters and Forms

Disney "Tigger Movie" Family Trees

Events in History

On this Day in History...

Create an online Timeline

Youth Genealogists Association

Main Website