ALL GENERATIONS · SHARED TIME
Make a “Then and Now” Family Timeline With Your Child and Grandparent
A “Then and Now” timeline helps children place family stories in sequence and gives grandparents a clear, low-pressure way to share milestones. This activity uses materials you likely already have—paper, tape, photos—and can be adapted to short attention spans or longer projects. Always get permission before sharing photos or personal details, and adult supervision is required during any cutting, taping, or uploading of images.
What the timeline shows and why it helps
A timeline is visual and concrete: it places events in order and helps children understand that people have histories. The timeline you make together should focus on a few moments—birth, a favorite childhood game, a first job, a child’s birth, and a current favorite activity. The goal is connection, not comprehensive biography.
Respect privacy. Before using any photograph or naming dates, check with the grandparent and any other adults featured in images. Avoid posting the timeline online without consent.
Gather simple, low-cost materials
You only need basic household supplies: a long roll of paper (or tape pieces of printer paper together), sticky notes or index cards, pens or markers, tape, and a few photos or drawings. If you prefer digital, use a spreadsheet or slide deck already available on a home device—but only if all adults agree on storage and privacy.
Gather three to seven moments or milestones to place on the timeline—enough to show progression without overwhelming the child.
Step-by-step activity plan
1) Lay out the timeline space. Choose a wall, table, or floor area. Mark a simple horizontal line and label the left side “Then” and right side “Now.”
2) Choose 3–7 events. Ask the grandparent to name a few events they'd like to share. Ask the child to name things they think are important about “now.” Write each event on an index card or sticky note. Keep each card to one sentence.
3) Add visuals. Attach a small photo, simple drawing, or printed image to each card. For young children, drawings they make count as legitimate timeline entries. If you use original family photos, handle them carefully and consider photocopying or scanning originals to avoid damage; secure permission for any photos that include other people before sharing outside the home. Adult supervision is required for using scissors or devices to scan images, and for handling sensitive documents or keepsakes.