Our new family tree game turns a big kindergarten social studies topic into a treetop adventure. Doodles introduces Leo and his family, and kids find each family member on Leo’s family tree, one generation at a time.
Young children know the people in their own family, but the words for how people are related, like grandfather, aunt or cousin, take practice. A family tree shows it at a glance: the grown-ups who came first are up the tree, and the children are at the bottom. This game lets kids build one, branch by branch.
Every family member peeks out of a round treehouse window, joined to the others by real tree branches. Doodles names a family member, three windows glow, and kids tap one. A right answer hangs the name sign, so the labeled family tree grows round by round.
- A family tree game for kindergarten (great for preschool and 1st grade practice too).
- A “Watch me!” demo first, then 3 rounds: parents and children, grandparents, then aunt, uncle and cousin.
- Doodles reads every direction, names a wrong tap and gives a clue, so kids learn instead of guess.
- Based on the 1 Child Family Tree Worksheet, so you can play it, then print it.
Why kids love this family tree game
Learning family words can feel like a list to memorize. This game feels like a treehouse village. Every right answer makes a window bounce with a burst of leaves, and the tree fills in with name signs.
Doodles reads it all
Every direction is read aloud, and kids can tap Doodles’ circle to hear the question again.
A real family tree
Couples side by side, branches down to their children, and one row for each generation.
Treehouse windows
Each family member peeks out of a round window, and the right one bounces with a burst of leaves.
Learn from every tap
A wrong tap is named (“That is Father’s father.”), then Doodles gives a clue to find the right one.
Watch the family tree game
See the whole game, from the “Watch me!” demo to the five-star finish. Find more on the Have Fun Teaching YouTube channel.
How to play the family tree game
Press Play and Doodles takes it from there. A “Watch me!” demo comes first, so children see every step before it is their turn.
Listen to Doodles
Doodles names a family member, like “Find Leo’s MOTHER!” Tap Doodles’ circle to hear it again.
Look at the glowing windows
Three treehouse windows glow. Look up the tree for older family members and across for brothers and sisters.
Tap the right one
Tap the family member. The window bounces, leaves fly and the name sign hangs on the tree.
Grow the tree
Round 1 is Leo’s parents and siblings, Round 2 adds the grandparents, and Round 3 adds aunt, uncle and cousin.
The Family Tree Game is part of the Have Fun Teaching membership. Members can open it full screen on any device. New here? Start your 3 free days and play it today.
What kids learn from the family tree game
The game follows the way kindergarten social studies teaches families: start with the child, then the parents, then the grandparents, and see how each person is related.
Family member words
Mother, father, brother, sister, grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncle and cousin, each said and shown.
Older relatives go up the tree
The tree grows one generation per round, so kids see that grandparents came before parents.
Relations, not just faces
Questions name how people are related: “Find Mother’s FATHER! He is Leo’s GRANDFATHER.”
Formal and everyday words
Directions use Mother and Father; the praise uses Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, so kids hear both.
Mistakes that teach
A wrong tap is named first (“That is Father’s father.”), then a clue points the way.
A labeled tree to keep
Every right answer hangs a name sign, so the finished tree becomes a picture of the whole lesson.
Teacher tip: play it, then draw it
Play the game on the whiteboard as a class, then hand out the 1 Child Family Tree Worksheet so each child draws their own family. Ask together: “Who is at the top? Who is at the bottom?” Check off each step as your class finishes it:
More family tree resources
Keep the practice going with family tree printables for families of every size, plus family flash cards.
Social Studies · Worksheet1 Child Family Tree Worksheet
Social Studies · Worksheet2 Children Family Tree Worksheet
Social Studies · Worksheet3 Children Family Tree Worksheet
Social Studies · Worksheet4 Children Family Tree Worksheet
Social Studies · Worksheet5 Children Family Tree Worksheet
Social Studies · Flash CardsFamily Flash Cards
Get every game with a membership
Social studies practice, ready for the whole year
Members play the Family Tree Game and every other Have Fun Teaching game, and download the printables, songs and videos that go with it.
- Every Have Fun Teaching game, including the Family Tree Game
- Every printable, song and video, Preschool–6th
- Unlimited downloads, new resources added daily
- Use it with your class or your kids at home
Family tree game FAQ
What is the Family Tree Game?
The Family Tree Game is an online social studies game for kids from Have Fun Teaching. Doodles shows kids Leo’s family tree in a treetop village and names a family member, like Mother’s father. Kids tap the right treehouse window, and the name sign hangs on the tree.
What grade is the family tree game for?
It is made for kindergarten and works well for preschool and 1st grade too. Doodles reads every direction aloud, so kids can play on their own.
Which family words does the game teach?
Mother, father, brother, sister and baby in Round 1, the four grandparents in Round 2, and aunt, uncle and cousin in Round 3. Directions use the words on the family tree, and the praise uses the everyday words, like Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa.
Can kids play it on a tablet or phone?
Yes. The game runs in the browser on computers, tablets, phones, Chromebooks and interactive whiteboards. There is nothing to install.
Is there a printable version?
Yes. The game is based on the 1 Child Family Tree Worksheet, so kids can play the game and then draw their own family tree on paper.
Ready to build Leo’s family tree with Doodles?
Press Play and let your kids find every family member, from Mother and Father to Grandpa and the baby, all on their own.
Works on computers, tablets, phones and interactive whiteboards.
