TRAITS ACTIVITIES
Try these activities in your home, at a family reunion, with a group, or at work. Each activity provides an engaging way to learn about traits or better understand disease risk. Just click on the PDF icons to download and print both English and Spanish language versions. Have fun!
HANDY FAMILY TREE 
(PDF: 1.8mb)
(PDF: 1.8mb)
A family tree is a picture that shows members of your family. Do this activity to create your own family tree!
Family members will learn about inherited and acquired traits as they create a handprint for their family tree. This art project is great for families of all configurations.
Family members will learn about inherited and acquired traits as they create a handprint for their family tree. This art project is great for families of all configurations.
TRAITS TRIVIA(PDF: 2.5mb)
(PDF: 2.5mb)
What inherited traits do you share in common with others? What traits are unique to you? Do this activity to find out!
We all have inherited traits that we share in common with others. Yet, every person has a combination of traits that is unique to them.
Individuals of all but the youngest ages can participate in this fun activity. It also is a great ice-breaker for groups.
We all have inherited traits that we share in common with others. Yet, every person has a combination of traits that is unique to them.
Individuals of all but the youngest ages can participate in this fun activity. It also is a great ice-breaker for groups.
A RECIPE FOR TRAITS(PDF: 1.1mb)
(PDF: 1.1mb)
Build your own dog using a "DNA recipe"!
Select strips of paper that represent DNA, decode the DNA "recipe" to reveal your dog's physical traits, and draw it. You'll learn that differences in DNA lead to differences in traits.
Select strips of paper that represent DNA, decode the DNA "recipe" to reveal your dog's physical traits, and draw it. You'll learn that differences in DNA lead to differences in traits.
A TREE OF GENETIC TRAITS(PDF: 596kb)
(PDF: 596kb)
Find the most and least common combination of three traits in your group!
Participants mark traits for tongue rolling, earlobe attachment and PTC tasting on paper leaves and organize them on a large "tree of traits".
This activity works best with medium to large groups.
Participants mark traits for tongue rolling, earlobe attachment and PTC tasting on paper leaves and organize them on a large "tree of traits".
This activity works best with medium to large groups.
Funding for original development and/or revision of these materials was provided by:
- A Howard Hughes Medical Institute Precollege Science Education Initiative for Biomedical Research Institutions Award (Grant 51000125)
- The Utah Department of Health Chronic Disease Genomics Program through Cooperative Agreement Number U58/CCU822802 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Contract U33MC00157 from the Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Genetic Services Branch and the March of Dimes.
INHERITED HUMAN TRAITS: A QUICK REFERENCE
(PDF: 1.2mb)
(PDF: 1.2mb)
A pictorial reference to several inherited human traits. Both variations (dominant and recessive) of each trait are shown, accompanied by brief descriptions, frequencies and other interesting information.
TRAITS AND TRADITIONS(PDF: 2.5mb)
(PDF: 2.5mb)
Can you think of a trait you have inherited? How about a trait that you have acquired by learning or tradition?
Play this memory game with your family or group to discover some common traits and traditions!
Play this memory game with your family or group to discover some common traits and traditions!
THE CONNECTION BETWEEN HEREDITY AND HEALTH
A family health history can provide information about you and your family's risk of developing common chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, cancer and heart disease. These diseases result from the combined effects of multiple genes and environmental factors. Do these activities to learn more!WHAT'S YOUR FAMILY HEALTH STORY?
(PDF: 2.1mb)
Use this guide to gather and record your family health history. Directions for constructing a Health Family Tree are included.
PICK THE RISK
(PDF: 1.3mb)
Learn how common chronic diseases (such as heart disease) run in families and how risk for developing these diseases is influenced by the combined action of several genes.
Track and record the passage of colored pom poms (representing genes) through three generations of a family. Discover each person's risk for developing heart disease.
Track and record the passage of colored pom poms (representing genes) through three generations of a family. Discover each person's risk for developing heart disease.
RISK CONTINUUM
(PDF: 3.7mb)What does it mean to be "at risk" for developing a common disease such as heart disease?
Do this active demonstration with a group to learn what it means to be in a "risk group" and how lifestyle choices can modify your risk.
Do this active demonstration with a group to learn what it means to be in a "risk group" and how lifestyle choices can modify your risk.
learn more
CALCULATING GENETIC RISKLearn more about how genetics affects one's risk of developing common diseases. Access additional resources for recording your family health history.