136+ Family Tree Project Ideas for Kindergarten

Creating a family tree project in kindergarten is a wonderful way for young children to learn about family, identity, and relationships.

At this age, projects should be simple, hands-on, and full of visual cues. A well-designed family tree activity helps children say the names of relatives, understand how people connect to each other, practice fine motor skills, and share stories about their life at home.

This article presents a clear explanation of what a family tree project is, tips for teachers and parents, materials to use, and 150 detailed family tree project ideas for kindergarten.

Each idea is written in simple language and ready for students to copy, try, or adapt. The ideas are practical, varied in style, and suitable for in-class, at-home, or hybrid learning.

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What is a Family Tree Project for Kindergarten?

A family tree project shows the members of a child’s family and how they are connected.

For kindergarten students, a family tree doesn’t need to be complicated: it might use photos, drawings, names, or symbols to represent parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and pets.

The project can be an individual activity or a group task. It should encourage conversation, creativity, and pride in the child’s background.

Why Family Tree Projects Matter for Young Learners

• Teach vocabulary for family members (mother, father, sister, brother, grandmother, grandfather, cousin).
• Build social-emotional skills by discussing feelings and family roles.
• Develop fine motor skills through cutting, gluing, and coloring.
• Strengthen language skills via telling short stories about relatives.
• Encourage respect for family diversity and different family structures.

Basic Materials and Tips

Materials (simple, commonly available): construction paper, crayons, markers, glue sticks, safety scissors, photos or printed pictures, colored pencils, stickers, pipe cleaners, paper plates, clothespins, fabric scraps, yarn, cardboard, index cards, stamps, hole punch, ribbon, crayons, and printable templates.

Tips for teachers and parents:

• Keep instructions short and use visual examples.
• Ask families to send one or two small photos or provide a simple photo session at school.
• Offer templates for children who need extra support.
• Allow many ways to show families—drawings, stamps, fingerprints, or stickers are fine.
• Celebrate each finished project in a classroom “family gallery.”

150 Family Tree Project Ideas for Kindergarten

Below are 150 detailed and ready-to-use family tree project ideas for kindergarten. Each idea includes a short description and a simple way to present the tree.

You may adapt them to fit your classroom, home, or supplies.

Art & Paper-Based Ideas

1. Handprint Family Tree: Each family member is represented by a painted handprint on paper branches. Label names beneath each print.
2. Fingerprint Family Tree: Use fingerprints as leaves; add tiny faces or initials with a pen to show each family member.
3. Paper Plate Family Tree: Cut a paper plate in half, paint a trunk, and glue family photos or drawings as leaves.
4. Accordion Family Tree: Fold paper into an accordion and attach photos on each fold to show generations.
5. Collage Family Tree: Cut family pictures and magazine images to create a colorful collage tree on poster board.
6. Rainbow Family Tree: Assign a color to each family member; children color leaves in those colors and write names.
7. Shape Family Tree: Use cut-out shapes (circles, stars) for relatives and glue them on a tree trunk template.
8. Sticker Family Tree: Use stickers to represent family members and place them on the branches.
9. Button Family Tree: Glue buttons of different sizes as leaves; each button stands for a family member.
10. Torn-Paper Tree: Tear colored paper to make a textured tree and paste family photos onto the leaves.
11. Fold-Out Family Book: Make a small booklet with pages for each relative and stitch or staple it into a tree-shaped cover.
12. Paper Bag Puppet Tree: Use decorated paper bags as puppets for family members, attach them to a tree background.
13. Pop-Up Family Tree Card: Create a pop-up tree in a folded card with photos that pop up when the card opens.
14. Leaf Rubbing Family Tree: Collect leaf rubbings and write names on each rubbing as a natural leaves family tree.
15. Family Tree Mobile: Hang photo leaves from a stick or hanger to make a mobile that shows family connections.
16. Collage Heart Tree: Arrange family photos in the shape of a heart attached to a painted trunk.
17. Fingerprint Timeline Tree: Use fingerprints from baby to current age to show the child’s growth next to their family.
18. Family Tree Bookmark: Make a long bookmark with mini photos in a vertical family tree layout.
19. Layered Tissue Paper Tree: Layer tissue paper for a 3D leaf effect and place family member names on each layer.
20. Crumpled Paper Leaves Tree: Crumple paper to form leaves, glue them on branches, and add labels.

Photo & Keepsake Ideas

21. Photo Circle Tree: Arrange family photos in a circle to show closeness and glue on a trunk base.
22. Mini Polaroid Family Tree: Use small printed squares like Polaroids and tape them into branches with captions.
23. Photo Frame Tree: Build a large frame shaped like a tree and insert family photos in each branch frame.
24. Laminated Family Tree Chart: Create a chart and laminate it so children can trace names and add removable photos.
25. Keychain Family Tree: Make tiny laminated family photos on a key ring; add beads to show relationships.
26. Pocket Photo Tree: Attach small pockets to a paper tree and slide in small photo cards for each member.
27. Button Photo Tree: Glue small circular photos onto buttons and place them as leaves on a tree.
28. Fabric Photo Tree Quilt: Sew printed fabric squares with family photos into a small wall-hanging quilt tree.
29. Corkboard Family Tree: Pin photos to a corkboard tree with string connecting relatives.
30. Clipboard Family Tree Display: Attach a small family tree display on a clipboard for easy sharing at school.

Nature & Outdoor Ideas

31. Stick Family Tree: Arrange sticks into a tree shape and attach paper leaves with names for a rustic look.
32. Seed Packet Family Tree: Glue seeds on branches; each family member gets a seed packet to plant at home.
33. Rock Family Tree: Paint small rocks as faces and place them as stones around a tree trunk illustration.
34. Pressed Flower Family Tree: Use pressed flowers as leaves and write family names next to them.
35. Pallet Wood Family Tree: Paint a tree on a small pallet and glue family photos onto the branches for a farmhouse style.
36. Twig and Yarn Tree: Use twigs for branches and yarn for connecting lines to show relationships.
37. Pinecone Family Tree: Attach mini photos to pinecones and hang them as leaves from a branch.
38. Leaf Collection Tree: Students collect real leaves and glue them onto a drawn trunk with relatives’ names.
39. Garden Family Tree Marker: Make small garden markers with family member names to place around a class plant.
40. Outdoor Chalk Family Tree: Draw a large tree on the playground with chalk and place paper photos on it.

Sensory & Tactile Ideas

41. Playdough Family Tree: Model family members using playdough and place them on a paper tree.
42. Sand Family Tree: Draw a tree in a tray of sand and press photos or drawings into the sand as leaves.
43. Felt Board Family Tree: Cut felt pieces to build a felt tree; children place felt faces or name cards on it.
44. Textured Family Tree: Use fabric, ribbons, and textured materials for leaves and label each with a family name.
45. Sensory Bin Family Match: Place family member picture cards in a sensory bin for children to find and place on the tree.
46. Pom-Pom Family Tree: Glue pom-poms as leaves, each color representing a different family member.
47. Rice Mosaic Tree: Dye rice and glue it to make a mosaic tree with labeled family spots.
48. Foam Sticker Family Tree: Use foam stickers to build a raised tree and attach picture stickers.
49. Bubble Wrap Leaf Tree: Use bubble wrap prints to create leaf textures and label them with family names.
50. Feather Family Tree: Glue feathers as leaves and write names on small tags attached to each feather.

Crafty & Recycled Ideas

51. Magazine Family Tree: Cut images and letters from magazines to create a colorful family tree collage.
52. Cardboard Roll Tree: Stack decorated toilet-paper rolls as a trunk and glue photo leaves on top.
53. Bottle Cap Family Tree: Paint bottle caps as faces and arrange on a painted tree on cardboard.
54. CD Shine Tree: Glue old CDs as shiny leaves on a tree craft and label each with a family member.
55. Recycled Fabric Tree: Use fabric scraps to make a patchwork tree and sew or glue name tags.
56. Jar Lid Family Tree: Use jar lids as frames for tiny photos and glue them onto a painted tree.
57. Egg Carton Tree: Cut egg cartons into cups, paint them as leaves, and add family member names.
58. Tin Foil Tree: Crumple tin foil for a shiny trunk and attach paper photos as leaves.
59. Paper Tube Family Portraits: Decorate paper tubes as family members and glue them in a tree scene.
60. Shopping Bag Tree: Reuse brown paper bags to create a large bulletin-board tree with family drawings.

Wearable & Playful Ideas

61. Family Tree Crown: Make a paper crown with photos or names around it to wear and share with the class.
62. Name Necklace Tree: String laminated photo/name cards on yarn to wear as a family necklace.
63. Family Tree T-Shirt: Print or paint a simple family tree on a shirt for the child to wear at home.
64. Family Tree Hat: Decorate a hat with small family photos or drawings around the brim.
65. Paper Doll Family Chain: Make paper dolls joining hands; each doll represents a family member.
66. Family Tree Apron: Decorate a child apron with family member pictures for a show-and-tell activity.
67. Family Mask Set: Create masks representing family roles (mom, dad, grandma) for dramatic play.
68. Photo Button Pins: Make wearable pin buttons with family photos and give one to each child to wear.
69. Puppet Family Tree Show: Create puppets for relatives and perform a short family story show.
70. Family Tree Wristband: Make paper wristbands with names and small pictures for children to wear.

Storytelling & Language Ideas

71. Storybook Family Tree: Write a short story about one family member on each page and bind as a book.
72. Interview-Based Tree: Children ask one relative a question, write the answer, and add it to the tree.
73. Family Recipe Tree: Attach a simple family recipe card to a branch and discuss where the recipe came from.
74. Name Poem Tree: Write a short poem or sentence about each family member and place it near their photo.
75. Family Song Tree: Create a short song about the family and place lyrics near the tree as labels.
76. Counting Family Tree: Use numbers to show how many people are in the family on each branch.
77. Language Tree: For multilingual families, write each family member’s name in the family’s languages.
78. Memory Tag Tree: Children add a small memory or fact about each relative on a tagged leaf.
79. Letter Match Tree: Match the first letter of each family member’s name to labeled leaves.
80. Family Riddle Tree: Create simple riddles about relatives for peers to guess and match to the tree.

Science & Math Connections

81. Growth Chart Tree: Add ages to branches to show family members’ ages and compare heights.
82. Measurement Tree: Measure family members’ heights (with help) and record on the tree trunk.
83. Patterned Leaf Tree: Use repeating patterns of shapes or colors for different branches to teach sequences.
84. Graphing Family Traits: Make simple graphs of eye color, hair color, or number of siblings using leaves.
85. Family Number Tree: Add number cards to branches showing how many in each branch (e.g., parents, kids).
86. Weather & Family Tree: Discuss how families live in different climates and add weather symbols to leaves.
87. Life Cycle Tree: Add baby, child, adult pictures to show life stages within families (simple and age-appropriate).
88. Color Sorting Family Tree: Sort family photo cards by clothing color or background color on tree sections.
89. Symmetry Tree Drawing: Teach symmetry by folding paper and cutting leaves for a symmetrical tree.
90. Counting Bead Tree: String beads to show the number of family members and attach to the trunk.

Technology & Digital Ideas

91. Digital Photo Family Tree: Use a simple app to create a digital family tree with images and text labels.
92. Slide-Show Tree: Make a slideshow where each slide is a branch with a family member photo and short note.
93. QR Code Family Tree: Attach printed QR codes that link to brief audio clips of a relative saying hello.
94. Video Interview Tree: Record short video messages from family members and link to a tree poster with codes.
95. Interactive Whiteboard Tree: Use interactive whiteboard software to drag-and-drop family pictures onto branches.
96. Animated Family Tree: Create a basic animation where leaves (photos) appear when clicked.
97. Photo Collage App Tree: Use collage software to design a tree and print it for class display.
98. Digital Keepsake Tree: Make a printable PDF of the family tree to email to families as a keepsake.
99. Voice Recording Tree: Have parents send short audio files that the teacher attaches to a printed tree via labels.
100. Family Tree Slide Poster: Create a large digital poster that scrolls through family photos and facts.

Cultural & Holiday Ideas

101. Festival Tree: Add family traditions and festival photos to a tree to show cultural background.
102. Crafts Around the World Tree: Have each child show a craft from their culture on a branch.
103. Holiday Photo Tree: Use photos from special family holidays or celebrations as leaves.
104. Food Tradition Tree: Attach pictures or drawings of favorite family foods and label who makes them.
105. Language & Song Tree: Add a family member’s favorite song or phrase in their language on a branch.
106. Flag Tree: Add small flags or symbols representing the family’s country of origin.
107. Travel Map Tree: Place photos of places the family has visited or come from around the tree.
108. Seasonal Family Tree: Change the leaves by season to show family activities in spring, summer, fall, winter.
109. Story of Origin Tree: Share simple stories about where the family came from and write key words on leaves.
110. Traditional Dress Tree: Draw or attach small fabric swatches representing traditional clothing of family members.

Fine Motor & Classroom Skills Ideas

111. Cut-and-Paste Family Tree: Use scissors and glue to place pre-printed family names and photos on a template.
112. Tracing Family Tree: Provide dotted outlines of names and photos for children to trace and place on the tree.
113. Lacing Family Tree: Punch holes around leaf shapes and have students lace yarn through to hang names.
114. Stamping Family Tree: Use stamps to create leaf shapes and stamp family initials onto them.
115. Color-by-Name Tree: Give a color key for each family member and have children color leaves accordingly.
116. Sticker Matching Tree: Provide stickers and have children match sticker symbols to family members.
117. Scissor Skills Tree: Cut out paper leaves and glue them on the tree to practice cutting accuracy.
118. Glue Dot Family Tree: Use glue dots for younger children to add photos or shapes to the tree easily.
119. Threading Photo Tree: Thread small laminated photo cards onto string to add to the family tree.
120. Name Labeling Tree: Practice writing names on labels and stick them next to the correct photo.

Community & Group Activities

121. Class Family Tree Mural: Each child contributes one leaf to a giant class tree mural with their family photo.
122. Partner Swap Tree: Pair students, exchange family stories, and add both families to a shared tree.
123. Grandparents Day Tree: Invite grandparents in, photograph them with grandchildren, and add to a school tree.
124. Family Tree Parade: Have children carry small family trees around the classroom and explain theirs.
125. Neighborhood Family Map Tree: Create a map showing where families live and connect them to the tree.
126. Culture Share Tree: Each child presents one cultural item to add to a shared family tree display.
127. Group Story Tree: Build a group story where each branch adds one sentence about a family member.
128. Classroom Timeline Tree: Combine many family trees to show class diversity and changes over time.
129. Friendship Family Tree: Add friends and close people to a tree to show people who care for the child.
130. Community Helper Family Tree: Include relatives who have community jobs and add simple job symbols.

Keepsake & Gift Ideas

131. Family Tree Calendar: Make a small calendar with a family photo for each month and a tree cover.
132. Handmade Family Tree Card: Create a greeting card with a family tree inside for Mother’s or Father’s Day.
133. Family Tree Magnet: Make a refrigerator magnet with family photos glued to cardboard and laminated.
134. Framed Mini Family Tree: Mount a small family tree in a simple frame as a gift for relatives.
135. Family Tree Ornament: Make a holiday ornament with photos or names to hang on a family tree at home.
136. Keepsake Box Tree: Decorate a small box with family photos and place a mini tree inside with names.
137. Story Jar Tree: Fill a jar with short notes about family memories and attach a tree label on the jar.
138. Memory Quilt Square: Each child decorates a fabric square representing their family for a class quilt.
139. Personalized Placemat Tree: Laminate a family tree placemat children can use during mealtimes.
140. Recipe Book Tree: Collect one easy family recipe per child and bind them under a “family tree” cover.

Creative & Miscellaneous Ideas

141. Shadow Box Family Tree: Create a 3D shadow box with small objects representing family members.
142. Silhouette Family Tree: Cut out silhouette shapes of family members and place them on a tree background.
143. 3D Clay Family Tree: Use clay to build a small tree and tiny portraits as leaves.
144. Family Tree Puzzle: Make a simple puzzle by cutting a tree picture into pieces, each piece a family member.
145. Glow-in-the-Dark Tree: Use glow paint on leaf shapes for a nighttime-themed family tree display.
146. Maple Leaf Family Tree: For autumn, use real maple leaves gathered together with names written on them.
147. Balloon Family Tree: Attach mini photos to helium balloons and cluster them as floating leaves on a mock tree.
148. Mirror Family Tree: Place small mirrors as leaves and label them with family names—children will see their reflection as part of family.
149. Music Box Family Tree: Attach small sound chips that play a short tune connected to different family memories.
150. Puzzle Piece Family Tree: Each family member decorates a puzzle piece; when joined, they form the whole tree.

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How to Choose the Right Idea for Your Class

1. Consider time and materials. Pick ideas that fit the class duration and what you have in the classroom or can ask families to provide.
2. Respect family diversity. Allow children to represent non-traditional families, adoptive parents, single parents, guardians, or close friends.
3. Offer choice. Give several options so children can pick a method they enjoy—drawing, digital, tactile, or group work.
4. Keep instructions clear. Use images, step-by-step visuals, and examples so young children can follow independently.
5. Make it inclusive. Encourage all children to participate at their comfort level; provide templates or extra help where needed.

Assessment and Presentation Ideas

• Show-and-Tell: Give each child a minute to share one thing about their family tree.
• Gallery Walk: Display finished trees on a board; let students walk around and admire classmates’ work.
• Parent Night: Invite families to a short presentation where children explain their trees.
• Portfolio Addition: Add the family tree to each child’s learning portfolio with a short teacher note.
• Reflection Drawing/Written Line: Ask children to draw one thing they learned about family or write a single sentence with help.

Conclusion

Family tree projects for kindergarten are flexible, meaningful, and fun. They help children say names, learn about relationships, and feel proud of where they come from.

The 150 ideas above give you many ways to tailor activities to your classroom, home, or school events—ranging from simple paper crafts to digital keepsakes.

Choose projects that match your supplies, time, and classroom needs, and remember to celebrate each child’s unique family story.

Use these ideas as templates, mix and match elements, and most importantly, make the activity a gentle, positive experience.

Through family tree projects, children learn not only about family structures but also about respect, community, and the joy of sharing personal stories. Ready, set, create — and enjoy watching little hearts connect to their families through art and storytelling.