⭐️ RootsTech Spotlight: 20 Kid-friendly Family History Activities in 20 Minutes
Did you get to attend RootsTech Connect 2021 this year? It was ⭐️amazing ⭐️with over 1 million people from around the world 🌍️connecting, discovering, and sharing. Guess what? Even if you missed it, the RootsTech sessions are still available online for free until just before RootsTech Connect 2022. Check them out here!
One of my 🏆️ favorite sessions 🏆️about family history activities for children and youth was shared by Jana Greenhalgh. Her "20 Kid-friendly Family History Activities in 20 Minutes" is filled with so many fun and engaging ideas that can be adapted for many ages. Some of my favorite ideas, including some additional twists that I have or would try were:
- Recreate Family Photos. 👪️Find a photo, dress up like your ancestor, and see if you can recreate your ancestor's photo as closely as you can. Then, have someone take a photo and compare. Can you match their expression in the photo? Our ancestors often didn't smile in photos. Can you do it without smiling or laughing?
- Visit Ancestral Homes on Google. 🏠️ The internet has enabled us to learn and connect genealogically in ways we've never been able to do before. Google Earth, FamilySearch Places, and What Was There are online tools that can help you see what your ancestors' homelands look like, and in some cases, what their homw looked like. And, you don't even have to leave your living room.
- Heirloom Scavenger Hunt. 🕰️ Place physical family artifacts like the afghan your 2nd great-grandmother crocheted or the pocket watch that your great-uncle left to your family in his will, around your house. Play hot and cold with your kids or as a family activity to find them and share the stories.
- Make Family Recipes. 🥧 Cooking is a great way to only connect with your current family members, but with your ancestors. Get the kids involved in making an ancestral dish for a fun family story-filled dinner adventure. Or, adapt it and cook the recipes Iron Chef or mystery box-style. You can make this as simple or creative as you want, depending on the age of the children and youth participating. To add an element of fun, invite another family over to share the food, then give out prizes. Get inspired with some recipe story ideas here.
- Build Your Ancestors' World. 🌏️ Whether using Legoes, building an online village using the popular Minecraft, or even construction paper, markers, and tape, recreate your ancestors' home or neighborhood, using the internet, family photos, stories, and more. This could be a one and done activity or go on for weeks as the family creates buildings, parks, stores, cars, and other elements from where your ancestor lived. You could do this gameboard-style or even turn it into a diorama using a pizza or shoe box. Let your creativity go wild!
Did you find a few activities you want to try? There are so many fun ideas 😁; try one today and another over the weekend. Invite your children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews to participate. Share those that you liked on social media with other family members so they can try it, too! 💬
