How to Make a Family Tree with Kids and Quick Tips for Families in Friday’s Fast Five 29th Edition
Building a stronger, happier family is at the top of most parents’ list. However, we are busy! These weekly Fast Five ideas and tips are a quick way to brainstorm, check-in, and create the family relationships you really want. This week’s Fast Five includes how to make a family tree with kids, a little lesson about seasons, a simple service idea, and more. Happy Friday!
* These ideas are NOT meant to be a checklist or guilt trip of things we “should do.” Rather, they are intended to inspire you to find what works for YOUR family to learn, laugh, and love together. Remember to stick to the Simple Side of Parenting.
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What is Friday’s Fast Five?
Each Friday, we share five quick and simple ideas for families under the following categories:
- Something fun
- A Little Lesson
- A Service Idea
- Something Random
- A Quick Tip
As I try to simplify my own parenting journey and help others do the same, these help us think about what I feel is a simple version of good parenting…learn, laugh, love.
Subscribers also receive exclusive tips and downloads to simplify parenting life.
With that, here is the twenty-ninth edition of Friday’s Fast Five. (You can find other editions HERE.)
1. Something Fun: How to Make a Family Tree with Kids
Helping our kids connect to their family story is powerful and can be really fun!
One way to connect kids to their family story is to create a giant family tree or pedigree chart.
7 Steps for How to Make a Family Tree with Kids
- Cut a tree trunk and branches from brown construction paper.
- Write the child’s name at the bottom of the tree.
- On the lowest branches, write mom’s name on one side and dad’s name on the other side.
- Above each parent, write the names of their mom and dad.
- Continue up the tree for as many more generations as you want. You can do additional research at familysearch.org or ancestry.com.
- Decorate each branch with leaves that have pictures of the person or symbols that represent different pieces of that person’s life or story.
- Display your family tree!
While you can make a family tree with kids all at one sitting, it’s also a great project to set-up one day and then add to it over time as you tell family stories.
2. A Little Lesson: Changing Seasons
Use the coming of spring as a little lesson.
Younger kids will love the fun and simple activities in the S is for Seasons lesson plan.
For older kids, have a conversation about change in general. Just as the seasons change every year, change is inevitable in other areas of life too. Talk about what makes change hard, why it’s really a great opportunity, and what changes they hope to see in their own lives.
Wondering how to fit Little Lessons into your busy family schedule?
The two main ways to fit important lessons into your busy family schedule are to find spontaneous teaching moments throughout the day and to schedule family learning time each week. These two posts go into detail about these two ways and tips for making it happen with your family.
How Busy Parents Can Teach Important Life Lessons
6 Tips for Family Time that Teaches Life’s Most Important Lessons
3. A Service Idea: Dinner for Others
Oftentimes moms take this service on by themselves.
Work together to make a meal for a neighbor or friend who is sick or had surgery. Kids could make a simple card to deliver with the meal as well.
Service is a great way to build a stronger, happier family. If you want more service ideas, request Raising Compassionate Children in a Conceited World, which includes 101 Service Ideas for Families.
4. Something Random: Parenting Skills
This comes in handy with the leftover Easter candy stash…
A skill definitely worth celebrating, and if you’re not there yet, just keep practicing.
5. A Quick Tip: Change
Speaking of change…
Whether it’s a small thought or a massive goal, change can be daunting. Sometimes we wonder if it’s possible, or if it’s worth it, or if it’s too late. But it’s NEVER too late.
A famous quote says, “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
Start with the smallest step toward the change you desire, and then just keeping moving forward.
What’s a change you’d like to make for the good of your family?
And that is Friday’s Fast Five!
You can also see Friday’s Fast Five on Instagram or other editions HERE.
Building a Stronger, Happier Family
It takes time and intention to build a stronger, happier family. I hope Friday’s Fast Five helps you find the ways that work for YOUR family to learn, laugh, and love together.
We will never regret the time we devote to our families and relationships with our kids.
Have a great weekend with your family, know that you’re loved, and keep on lovin’!
Do you have a great idea for a future Friday’s Fast Five? Have a question or parenting struggle you want help with? Share in the comments, shoot me an Email, or schedule a call.
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