A tradition to be used during the Halloween season. A black cat finds information about a family’s ancestors and works with the parents to fill out a pedigree chart. The cat is hidden and is found in the morning with treats, pictures, stories or other items to help children learn about their ancestor's lives.
Not only is October the month of Halloween...it is also Family History month. So we created a Halloween tradition that would delight and educate our families on our real family "ghosts"--our ancestors. Here is how it works at our house...
Sometime at the beginning of October we bring Folks and Fables out of storage. Inside is Boo the cat and a pedigree chart you fill out as a family. We take a minute to sit down and review the pedigree chart. We try and remember ancestors' names, and create little games throughout the month to help our kids match names with faces of their ancestors (found in photographs, etc.).
Then, throughout the month of October, Boo escapes his tin several times at night (this does not happen every night and making it random actually makes it more fun for our little ones and way easier on us). While Boo is out at night he finds mementos of our ancestors. Sometimes it is just a photo but most the time it is an object that reminds us of a story. For my grandpa Jack it is those pink mints that are the size of a thick quarter and the color Pepto-Bismol. For my grandma Gwa, Boo might "find" a tube of red lipstick, or get stuck in the cookie jar. The idea is that whatever Boo finds prompts a story about that ancestor. The kids love the hide-and-seek game of finding Boo, and then we gather around and tell the story about the ancestor.
Heirloom tin includes a blank pedigree chart and a fabric cat doll.
- DETAILS -
Measurements:
- Tin: 4.25" x 7.5" x 3.25"
- Linen Cat: stands 8.5"
Made of tin and linen.
Made in China.