Make a Family Tree |
You’ll need some brown wrapping paper, colored paper, children’s scissors, glue, markers, crayons, and family and pet photos.
Caring Family Tree
Draw a tree with a trunk and branches using markers and crayons. The tree can be very large or the size of two pieces of computer paper. It can be sent in pieces in a large envelope ready to be put together at its destination.
Young children will enjoy coloring the bark and adding squirrel holes. To make leaves, trace hands on colored paper and cut them out. Print family members’ names on the leaves with messages of love, sentences remembering good times, and reasons to be thankful. Children can dictate sentences about good times with relatives. Fun and humorous times like swimming, fishing, or playing ball will bring smiles to someone who needs them.
Glue Photographs to the Leaves |
Children can add drawings or glued on photographs to the leaves. Do this activity over a few days in very short periods of time since children need time to think and draw. Take a break often and do an active fun activity or snack and read if you want good quality drawings.
Adapt this idea for different ages.Very young children can make circles and color them or add string for balloon. They can trace their little hand on a bigger leaf.
All ages can dictate short sentences to an older child about something fun they did with Grandpa and Grandma like visiting the fair, attending a college football game, or cooking. It’s a good chance for older children to practice penmanship.
Include the family pet. They can make paw prints on the leaves. Children may add a few messages of love from the pets. Trace their paws or if you’re adventurous, dip their paws in poster paint.
Write Messages on the Leaves |
Children may want to add little extra decorations like a squirrel, a few birds, or bird’s nest in future visits.
The leaves may also have quotes from famous people like Mark Twain or Yogi Berra. “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” “Take it with a grin of salt.”
Photos: Fran Darling fdarling fotos
More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio, 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest
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