Explore Genetics by Finding Family Traits!

The study of genetics may seem like rocket science to your child, but an introduction to genes doesn’t need to be confusing. In fact, we all carry evidence of the ways genes work: in our eyes and hair color, in our earlobes and tongues, and in countless other physical characteristics that we inherit from our parents and grandparents. For a fun family activity to introduce your child to genetics, have your child go on a search for dominant and recessive family genes!

What You Need:

Printable Family Genetic Traits chart

What You Do:

Have your child fill out their own genetic characteristics on the chart, and then interview members of the family for their information too. The more details, the better, so use this as an excuse to call up Grandma, Grandpa, aunts and uncles, and whoever else! Your child should ask each person about the following traits:

• What color hair do you have?
• Do you get freckles on your face?
• Do you have cheek dimples when you smile?
• Are your earlobes attached or do the ends hang free? (Follow up questions: do they hang low? Do they wobble to and fro?)
• Can you roll your tongue up into a tube?
• Are you double jointed? If so, in what part of your body?

Your child should record the results of her interviews, then take a look at the data. The chart should look something like this:

To help your child interpret the information on her chart, here’s a quick review of the way genes work: