10 DIY Family Memory Projects to Try
Weekend projects with kids that teach them about family history
Legacy projects aren’t just for grandparents with scrapbooks or boxes of old photos tucked away in attics - they are for who your family is today. Because each day we’re creating memories that deserve to be remembered - the sound of your child’s laughter, the smell of a favorite recipe, the jokes that never get old, or the way your family celebrates an ordinary Sunday together. These may not seem so meaningful to you today, but imagine generations from now wanting to get to know you!?
These DIY family memory projects are acts of love, connection and preservation. And, from toddlers to teens, they are a fun, screen-free way to spend quality time together; reconnecting and teaching your kids the value of their family history through creativity and heart.
Here are 10 weekend projects your family can do together to preserve your story:
1. The Family Recipe Revival
Food is the heart of many homes. Gather everyone and compile your family's most cherished recipes - Grandma’s cobbler, Dad’s chili, that one cookie recipe no one can ever get just right - and write them down together. Don’t just list ingredients! Add notes about who created the dish, and funny or special memories associated with it and tips for making it perfect or how best to serve it! Take photos or short videos while you cook and, of course, of the finished dish – they will become part of your family’s story for generations.
How to: Use a binder, a dedicated notebook, or even create a digital document. Let each family member contribute their favorite meal or treat.
2. Create a Family Time Capsule
Find a sturdy box or decorative tin and let each family member contribute a small item that represents them right now - handwritten notes, photos, ticket stubs, favorite small toys, a school photo, or a printed list of your favorite songs or current obsessions.
Label it with the date and decide when to open it: five years from now, or maybe at your next family reunion? This is one of the easiest weekend projects with kids that teach them about family history - and they’ll love rediscovering these memories later.
How to: Write a letter to your future selves. Seal the box with a date to open it (e.g., 5, 10, or even 20 years from now!). This is a fantastic way to capture a moment in time.
3. Record Family Interviews
Take turns interviewing each other using your phone or camera. Grab a large jar or strips of paper. Write down questions for each family member to answer, like:
What’s your happiest family memory this year?
What’s something you’ve learned lately?
What do you love most about our family?
What do you want to be when you grow up?
What’s the funniest thing that happened this year?
How to: Each person draws a question and answers it. Record their answers (video, audio, or written) and date them.
You’ll capture voices, laughter, and moments that feel ordinary now but become priceless with time. Imagine listening to your child's voice years from now!
4. Make a “Right Now” Family Scrapbook
Don't let those digital photos languish on your phone! Pick out your favorite photos from the past year (or even the past few months) and print them. Then create a scrapbook or digital photo book showing who your family is today. Each person can fill a page with their favorite snacks, songs, shows, or hobbies. Add doodles, photos, or notes.
How to: Dedicate a weekend to putting together a physical album or scrapbook. Let everyone choose photos, write captions, and decorate pages. Instant memories you can hold!
5. Go on a Memory Walk
Head out to a familiar place — your neighborhood, a park, or your grandparents’ backyard. As you walk, share memories connected to each spot. Take photos and jot down what you remember. Later, print them out and add short captions underneath. This is a great item to add to your scrapbook or time capsule.
6. Build a Family Playlist
Music connects us! Create a shared digital playlist (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.) where each family member adds songs that represent important moments, favorite tunes, or even just songs that make them happy in this current season of life. Music brings back emotion like nothing else — one day you’ll play it back and remember exactly how this season felt.
How to: Name your playlist something fun like "The [Your Last Name] Fam Jams - 2025 Edition." Write down why each song was chosen.
7. Create a Family Story Wall
Turn a hallway into a living timeline. Print photos from past years — holidays, trips, birthdays, inside jokes — and label them with dates and memories. Keep adding to it each year as your story unfolds.
8. Weekend Photo Documentary
Give everyone a phone or camera and document your weekend from their perspective — the messy kitchen, the laughter, the everyday details.
Combine all the photos into a slideshow or short film. You’ll capture your family exactly as you are right now — real, imperfect, and full of love. Name the file with the year in it. Make sure to film one every year to watch the transformation!
9. Start a Game Night Journal
If your family loves board games, record the highlights — the scores, the winners, the dramatic losses, and the funniest quotes of the night.
Tape in a photo from each game night and leave it inside of the box. Over time, it becomes a playful record of joy and connection.
10. Write Love Letters to Each Other
Have everyone write short notes to every family member — a thank-you, a compliment, a memory. Tie them with ribbon or place them in a keepsake box. They’ll be treasures to open on future milestones or tough days.
Don’t wait until the kids leave the house. Start Preserving Your Family Story Now
The most meaningful family memories aren’t made on holidays or special occasions — they’re made in everyday moments that often go unnoticed. Legacy projects don’t have to be grand or complicated. They just need your time and heart.
So this weekend, choose one project, gather your loved ones, and start building your story together. Because legacy isn’t just what we leave behind — it’s what we create and celebrate right now.