How to Create a Timeline for Kids

Create a timeline to showcase each year of a child's life.

A timeline is a great way for kids to understand how time works and how to keep track of their childhood years. It is a nice family project to showcase a child's accomplishments, big and small, special moments and favorite things from different years. This can be used as a family project or a class project.

Things You'll Need

• pen
• marker
• posterboard
• picture
• scissors
• glue or tape

Instructions

Creating a Timeline

1. 

   Time to take the baby pictures out!

   Select photos from each stage of the child's life. Beginning stages would be baby pictures, or even earlier, like copies of ultrasound pictures. Have at least one picture to represent each year of life to the present day. Cut them out or use the whole picture.

2. 

   Use a marker in your preferred color.

   Draw a horizontal line across the middle of the poster board with a marker. Make tick marks. Alternate making them longer above and below the main horizontal line. Write the year the child was born at the first tick mark on the line. Write each year up to the present at the other tick marks.

3. Glue or tape the pictures to the year to which they match. Write under or above the picture describing where the child was or what she was doing in the picture and how old she was. Along with the description of the picture, write down any significant events or achievements the child made made that year. Favorites, firsts and fun facts can be added.

4. 

   Even things like a favorite candy of any specific year can be glued onto the timeline.

   Add other decorative elements, such as glitter, fabric, ribbon, sequins and small personal items. Make sure to note the subject of the timeline.

Tips & Warnings

• Make the timeline as personal to the child as possible. This can also be done with a school year timeline by separating it by months instead of years.

References

• Social Studies for Kids: How to Make a Timeline
• Proteacher: Timelines