1. Anytime Activities
2. Plan-Ahead Activities
3. Making Family History
4. Documenting the Past
5. Social Media Activities
6. Service Activities
7. Activities for Research
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YOUTH HOME
Youth Activities
2. Plan-Ahead Activities
Family history activities are a way to get to know those who have gone before, write about their lives, and to learn from and be inspired by their experiences. Family history activities are also a way to connect with living family members, create and write your own family history, and make fun memories. Check out the Youth section for additional resources and ideas.
2. Plan-Ahead Activities
Overview Here are some activities that require a bit of advance planning, but they are definitely worth it. Parents and grandparents are always so grateful for help in planning family history activities!
Entertain your family by serving some tempting dishes that your ancestral family might have eaten, such as Danish dumplings, lasagna, sauerkraut, sushi, lox and bagels, johnnycakes, smoked dried jerky, or French pastry. What items were on your ancestors’ menu? See these recipes on FamilySearch.
Y2-01: Back in Time*Time Travel Activities
1. Check the Internet for songs that were popular the year your parents graduated from high school, and surprise them by playing them.
2. Ask your parents to show you the dances that went with the songs (that should make for an interesting evening!).
3. Discover what life was like for your ancestors with no electricity—don’t use it for 24 hours. (Leave the refrigerator and freezer plugged in if you expect smiling parents, and be safe.)
4. Visit a town where an ancestor lived on Google Earth or Google Maps.
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5. Ask your parents to take you to a town where an ancestor lived. Do research on the ancestor so you can discuss his or life details while there.
Y2-02: Cousin's CampConsider attending My Family History Youth Camp at BYU or plan your own Cousin’s Camp.
See this blog post for details.
Y2-03: FamilySearch: Teenager ChallengesTry this summer family history challenge from FamilySearch, with numerous activities for teenagers.
Y2-04: Honor Your Parents1. Ask your parents to tell you how they met. Was it "love at first sight?" What qualities did they find irresistible in each other? Play 20 questions and record it.
2. Give your parents their favorite treats and treat them to their favorite movie or game.
3. Look at scrapbooks together and have your parents fill in details of what they remember.
4. Make an anniversary present for your parents by compiling slides or pictures of the family. You can also make slide copies of old family snapshots. A slide show could be the main attraction at a party honoring such an important event.
Y2-05: Family Reunion IdeasVisit the AmberSkyline site for some cool ideas on you can plan and carry out fun family history reunions.
Y2-06: FamilySearch Scavenger HuntHere's a fun introduction to FamilySearch: use the FamilySearch Family Tree Scavenger Hunt for Kids, courtesy of the Family Locket site.
Y2-07: Visit Historic Sites and Genealogy SocietiesResearch to find local historic sites or genealogical societies near you. Genealogical societies can be a great resource to you and are usually happy to have visitors or have the opportunity to teach you about their records and their services. Some of the following links may be helpful: United States National Register of Historic Places, List of U.S. National Historic Landmarks by State, National Park Services, and your nearest Genealogical Society.
Y2-08: Tasty TreatsEntertain your family by serving some tempting dishes that your ancestral family might have eaten, such as Danish dumplings, lasagna, sauerkraut, sushi, lox and bagels, johnnycakes, smoked dried jerky, or French pastry. What items were on your ancestors’ menu? See these recipes on FamilySearch. the Family History Recipe Book Idea (see video to the left), and this article.