Hobbies And Interests
Old Photos
Old photos are a visual learning tool for children. They will be able to see how their parents and grandparents lived and how life was in former times. You can create games to make looking at pictures more interesting. For example, children can make up a story about what was happening in the picture. You can buy an inexpensive magnifying glass so they can see the details in the photos. They can also play a guessing game in which they need to guess who the person in the picture is. Another idea is to as the children to try to put the pictures in chronological order. Children can divide into groups and compete as a team to see which team can organize the photos in the right order first.
Treasure Hunt
A treasure hunt is always a fun game for children. Create a list of items to look for that have history behind them. Some examples could be things that were owned by older relatives, or items that were used by other generations. Once they find all the items in the list, discuss why they are important. For older children, you can ask them to find out information about their family history or what life was like in a previous generation. You can take them to the library and ask them to look for the answers in books. They can also talk to relatives to find out the answers.
Old Games
Children can learn about how older generations of children entertained themselves by playing games that were popular in past generations. Have the kids first decide on a decade they are interested in, then take them to the library to find book that contains information about the games children played in that time. You can also have a family member talk to the kids about the games he used to play when he was a child. Let the children choose the games they would like to play. If they need special items to play these games, look for them in antique stores or flea markets.
Pedigree Chart
Create a game out of filling out a pedigree chart. Have the kids compete to see who can finish a pedigree chart the fastest. Instruct them to ask relatives for the answers to the information they need. Older children can also use books and census information to help them complete the chart. Have younger children fill out a simple family tree. Another idea is to create a picture family tree. Give the children pictures of relatives and ask them to try to match them with the correct name on the family tree. The child who finishes first is the winner.