Family Tree for Kids — Easy Guide for School Projects

A family tree for kids is one of the most common school projects — and one of the most rewarding. It helps children understand where they come from, learn names and stories from their family history, and develop a sense of identity. This guide explains how to help a child complete a family tree project simply and confidently.

What most school family tree projects ask for

Most primary school family tree projects ask for 2–3 generations: the child, their parents, and their grandparents. Some extend to great-grandparents, particularly in upper primary or secondary school. The format is usually a simple portrait tree with labelled boxes or spaces for names — sometimes drawn freehand on blank paper, sometimes on a printed template provided by the teacher.

Before you start filling anything in, check the assignment instructions carefully. Key things to look for: how many generations are required; whether photos need to be included or are optional; whether the tree needs to be handwritten or can be printed and filled in; whether it needs full names, dates of birth, or relationship labels; and whether there is a specific size or format required.

If the instructions are vague — which is common — a clean, legible portrait tree with 3 generations and full names is a safe default. It meets the minimum expectations of almost any primary school project without requiring information the child may not have access to.

Choosing the right template

For most school family tree projects, one of two templates will cover what is needed.

The Blank Family Tree Template shows three generations: the child at the bottom, their parents in the middle row, and their four grandparents across the top. It prints on a single A4 sheet in portrait orientation and has clear boxes with enough space to write names in a child's handwriting. This is the right choice for the majority of primary school projects.

The 4-Generation Family Tree Template adds a row of great-grandparents — eight boxes across the top. This is the one to use if the teacher has asked for four generations, or if the child wants to include great-grandparents they know well. The boxes are slightly smaller to fit the extra generation on one page, so it may be better suited to older children who can write smaller.

Both templates are free, require no account, and can be printed directly from any web browser. They are designed for A4 paper, which is the standard size for Australian classrooms.

How to fill in the family tree — step by step for kids

Once you have a printed template, filling it in is straightforward. Here is how to walk a child through it:

1. Write your own name in the box at the bottom of the tree — or in the centre, depending on the template. This is your starting point.
2. Write your parents' names in the two boxes directly above yours — one on each side. If your template has labels, follow them; if not, it is conventional to place the father or paternal side on the left and the mother or maternal side on the right, but there is no rule about this.
3. Write your grandparents' names in the boxes above your parents. Your dad's parents go on the same side as your dad; your mum's parents go on the same side as your mum.
4. If your template has a fourth row for great-grandparents, ask a parent or grandparent to help fill those in. Most children will need adult help at this level.
5. Add dates of birth if you know them and there is space. It is completely fine to leave these blank if you do not know them — no family has perfect records of every date.
6. Once the names are in, decorate the page if you like. Some students add small photos, draw flags for countries of origin, or colour in the background. Decoration is optional but can make the finished project more memorable.

Encourage the child to do the writing themselves, even if it takes longer. The project is about their engagement with the material, not about producing a perfectly neat document.

Tips for parents helping with the project

Most children will need some adult help with a family tree project, particularly for names and dates beyond their immediate family. Here are a few practical suggestions for making the process smooth.

Keep the conversation age-appropriate. Young children do not need to understand every complication in their family's history. Answer the questions they ask honestly and simply, and save more complex conversations for when they are ready.

If the family includes step-parents or step-grandparents, include them if the child considers them family. There is no single correct way to represent a blended family on a standard tree template. The most important thing is that the child feels comfortable with what is on the page. Some families put step-parents in brackets, others include them without distinction — follow whatever feels right for your family.

For adopted children, the family tree typically shows the adoptive family. If the child or family has a reason to show biological relatives as well, some templates allow for both, but for a simple school project the adoptive family is the standard default unless the child specifically wants to show something different.

If you do not know some relatives' names — or if certain relatives are not appropriate to include — it is completely fine to write "unknown" in a box, or to leave it blank. This is honest and accurate. A family tree with one or two blanks is far better than one with invented information.

Use the project as a prompt to call grandparents or older relatives. Many children's family tree projects end up sparking genuine conversations with grandparents that would not have happened otherwise. An elderly relative who may not have thought to share stories about their own parents or grandparents will often open up when a grandchild asks directly. FamilySearch is a free resource that may already have records about older generations in your family.

Handling sensitive situations

Family trees in school projects can be complicated by circumstances that are common in real families: divorce, separation, adoption, estrangement, the death of a parent or grandparent, a parent who is unknown, or a very complex blended family structure. These situations deserve a thoughtful approach rather than a rigid one.

If the family structure is complex enough that a standard template does not quite fit, consider speaking with the teacher before the child begins. Most teachers are genuinely accommodating — they want the project to be a positive experience, not a source of distress. A teacher who knows the context can adjust the expectations accordingly or offer an alternative format.

There is no rule that a family tree must show only biological relatives, or that it must show all biological relatives. The purpose of the project is for the child to reflect on the people in their life and where they come from. A child who has one parent and two grandparents has a complete family tree — the shape of it is just different from a two-parent four-grandparent template.

When a grandparent has died, include them. A deceased grandparent is still part of the family and part of the child's history. Many children find it meaningful to include grandparents they never met. If the child asks how to mark the box differently, some families write "1945–2019" style dates; others simply include the name as normal.

The child's comfort comes first. If there is a name or a person they do not want to include, that is their choice to make. The project belongs to them. For guidance on representing non-traditional families in genealogy records, the FamilySearch wiki on non-traditional families is a practical reference.

Ideas to make the project stand out

A completed family tree with all the names filled in meets the requirements of a school project. A little extra effort can make it genuinely interesting — both for the teacher and for the child themselves, who often finds the process of researching their family more engaging when they go beyond just names.

Adding small photos is the most effective way to bring a family tree to life. Print them small — passport-photo sized or smaller — and attach them above or below each box. A photo of a great-grandparent taken decades before the child was born makes history feel real in a way that a name in a box cannot.

Including the country of birth for each grandparent or great-grandparent adds geographical depth. Some students draw small flags or use stickers. Others draw lines on a separate small map showing where family members came from. This works especially well for families with international roots.

Writing a short sentence about each person adds personality. "Grandma was a nurse for 30 years." "Grandad grew up on a dairy farm in Gippsland." "Dad was born in Fiji and came to Australia when he was seven." These details are what make a family history interesting to read — and they are the kind of details that only come from asking questions, not from any database.

A "family facts" section on the back of the sheet — three or four interesting stories about family members — rounds out a project and demonstrates that the child engaged with their family rather than just filling in boxes. Most teachers respond well to this kind of initiative.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many generations should a school family tree have?

Most primary school family tree projects ask for 2–3 generations — the child, their parents, and their grandparents. Some projects require four generations including great-grandparents. Check the assignment instructions, and if they are vague, a clean three-generation tree is a safe default.

Can I include step-parents on a school family tree?

Yes. Include step-parents and step-grandparents if the child considers them family. There is no single rule about how to represent blended families on a family tree — the child's comfort and the accuracy of their lived experience come first.

What if I don't know a grandparent's name for a family tree project?

Write "unknown" in the box or leave it blank. Most teachers understand that not all families have complete records. A family tree with one or two blanks is far better than one with invented information.

What size paper is a school family tree printed on?

Most school family tree templates are designed for A4 paper (210 × 297 mm), which is the standard size in Australian and UK classrooms. A4 is also widely used in most countries outside the United States, where Letter size (8.5 × 11 inches) is more common.