Questions to ask Grandma about family traditions
Good questions about family traditions are specific and easy to picture, and they ask for a story rather than a fact. Start with: What was your favorite holiday as a kid? What traditions did your family have? Is there a song your family always sang? Then let Grandma's answers lead to the next question.
How to ask so the stories keep coming
Ask one question per call, not ten. Follow up with "what happened next?" Write down the answers or record them (with permission): they're the start of a family story bank.
For grandkids ages 4 to 7
- What was your favorite holiday as a kid?
- What traditions did your family have?
- Is there a song your family always sang?
For grandkids ages 8 to 12
- What was your favorite holiday as a kid?
- What traditions did your family have?
- Is there a song your family always sang?
- Which tradition do you hope we keep?
For grandkids ages 13+
- What was your favorite holiday as a kid?
- What traditions did your family have?
- Is there a song your family always sang?
- Which tradition do you hope we keep?
- What tradition did you start yourself?