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Research shows that a prevailing precursor to a child’s emotional well-being is knowing where he or she came from. Meaning that, if we know our family history, we have a better sense of belonging and a better chance at emotional stability.
I could not agree more. Even as an adult, I return to happy memories of my parents, grandparents and great-grandmother when times get tough. Knowing “where I came from” helps me to reconnect and recenter myself. That’s exactly why I created this list of interview questions for kids to ask their parents (or grandparents).
*Make sure you grab the free printable interview worksheet at the end of the post.*
It is so important that we take the time to teach our children about our family trees, so they can reap the benefits of knowing where they came from.
One of my most treasured possessions is a cassette tape that I recorded me interviewing my great-grandmother when I was about 10 years old. She tells the story of her parents’ immigration to the United States, her memories of horse-drawn carriages with red, velvet curtains brimming the windows and her breast-feeding her children while out in the snowy fields of North Dakota.
Not only do I treasure this amazing footage of history as an adult, but it also drew me closer to my great-grandma as a child and gave me a glimpse at my family history.
I was blessed to have her in my life until 2007, when she passed away at the age of 99.5 years old. Her legacy lives on through my interview with her, as well as my fond memories of her kind and gentle personality. Rest in peace, Gramma “Peter” and I can’t wait until I see you again.
How to Interview Your Parents
There are a few things you may want to do before you interview your parents or grandparents. This will help you have a successful interview that you can look back on for years to come.
- Set a time.
- Make sure it’s quiet so you can hear.
- Have your questions printed.
- Have extra paper for extra notes and space for answers.
- Have a family tree like this one to fill out together.
Interview Questions for Kids to Ask Their Parents (or Grandparents):
Note: You might also consider an autobiography journal for parents to share life stories and memories with their children. You can grab a beautiful autobiography journal here.
- What is your full, legal name?
- Do you have any nicknames?
- What did your parents call you?
- Has your name changed since birth?
- What is your date of birth?
- What city, state and country were you born in?
- What was the hospital name? Or address, if you were born in a home?
- What is your mother’s full maiden name?
- What is your mother’s nationality?
- What is your maternal grandfather’s full name?
- What is your maternal grandfather’s nationality?
- What is your maternal grandmother’s full name?
- What is your maternal grandmother’s nationality?
- What is your father’s full name?
- What is your father’s nationality?
- What is your paternal grandmother’s full name?
- What is your paternal grandmother’s nationality?
- What is your paternal grandfather’s full name?
- What is your paternal grandfather’s nationality?
- What is your favorite memory with your grandparents?
- What is your earliest childhood memory?
- Where did you grow up?
- What is your favorite childhood memory?
- What is your favorite tradition from childhood?
- What was your favorite childhood toy?
- Who was your best friend as a child?
- What did you want to be when you grew up?
- Where did you go to high school?
- What year did you graduate from high school?
- What extra curricular activities were you a part of in school?
- Where did you go to college?
- What year did you graduate from college?
- What activities were you a part of in college?
- What was your first car?
- Where did you go on your first date?
- What was your first job?
- Where was your first house?
- Have you ever been married?
- How did you meet my mom/dad/grandma/grandpa?
- If married, when is your anniversary?
- Where were you married?
- Where did you honeymoon?
- What is your favorite memory with your spouse?
- How many kids did you have together?
- What is your favorite book?
- What is your favorite past time?
- What is your favorite vacation spot?
- What is your favorite song?
- What is your favorite band?
- What is the best concert you’ve been to?
- What is your favorite sports team?
- What is your favorite tv show?
- What is your favorite color?
- What is your favorite food?
- What is your favorite drink?
- What is your favorite restaurant?
- What is your favorite holiday?
- What is the funniest thing that ever happened to you?
- What is your best characteristic?
- What has been your greatest life lesson?
- What do you feel is your greatest success?
- What is your biggest fear?
- What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to overcome?
- If there is one thing you wish to accomplish in your lifetime, what is it?
- If you could give me one piece of advice, what would it be?
Family Tree Books for Kids
The Kids’ Family Tree Book
National Geographic Kids Guide to Genealogy
Click on the image below to download your FREE printable list of interview questions for kids to ask their parents or grandparents.
Please share your interview experiences! Were you surprised at any of the information you learned? Please comment below
