Let’s be honest. Most of us have a shoebox somewhere in the house filled with old family photos. Faded, creased, black-and-white snapshots of people we may barely recognize. But those pictures? They’re gold. They tell the story of where we come from. And guess what? They don’t have to sit forgotten in a dusty box.
Restoring old family photos can be a surprisingly fun project to do with your kids. It blends family history, creativity, and even a little tech. It’s also perfect if your child has a school project about their heritage or needs to build a family tree. Plus, at the end of it, you’ll have beautiful images you can frame, include in a scrapbook, or even use to decorate a family history display. Not sure where to start? Here’s a helpful guide on how to restore old pictures.
Step 1. Pick Your Photos Together
Start by pulling out that shoebox, old albums, or drawer where the family keeps its photo stash. Sit down with your child and look through them. Ask questions. Who are these people? Where were they taken? You might be surprised by how curious kids get when they see pictures of relatives as children or spot someone who looks like them.
Let your child help choose which photos to restore. For a school project, look for ones that represent different generations — great-grandparents, grandparents, maybe even old baby pictures of you. Picking the photos together helps them feel connected to the project right from the start.
Step 2. Scan and Save
Once you’ve picked your favorites, it’s time to bring them into the digital world. This is the techy part, and kids usually love it.
If you have a scanner at home, show your child how to place the photo and scan it onto the computer. No scanner? No problem. There are apps that turn your phone into a scanner (like Google PhotoScan or Adobe Scan), and kids are pros at using phones. Just make sure they capture the entire image with good lighting.
Save the scanned photos in a folder labeled something like “Family History Project” so you can find them easily later.
Step 3. Remove Scratches and Creases
Now the magic begins. You and your child can tidy up the electronic versions of the photographs — eliminating scratches, tears, creases, and stains.
With a program such as PhotoGlory, even amateur users can accomplish this. It’s so easy to use, and your child will enjoy seeing a broken photo restore itself right in front of them. You can smooth out the creases in the picture together, correct splotchy patches, and even reattach ripped-off corners. It’s a little like a puzzle and a little like magic.
Another step also brings with it more possibilities for discussing the individuals in the pictures. What could the people have been doing? What are the passed-on stories?
Step 4. Add Some Color to Black-and-White Shots
Coloring old black-and-white photographs is a way of going back in time. Suddenly your great-grandmother isn’t just a face in the past — she’s someone your children can visualize in the flesh. Programs like PhotoGlory also include colorization capabilities, so you can bring realistic color to the older photographs with an easy click or two.
Let your child help choose colors for clothes, hair, or backgrounds. You don’t have to be historically accurate (unless it’s for a school report). Let them experiment. It’s a great mix of history and creativity.
Step 5. Use the Updated Photos Creatively
After you’ve restored and colorized your images, don’t just let them sit on your hard drive. Print them out! Kids love seeing the final product.
Use the photos in your child’s school project — attach them to a family tree chart, add them to a timeline, or make a “Then and Now” photo board. Or turn it into a craft activity: make a photo collage, decorate a memory box, or design a poster. You could even frame a few for your wall or create a mini family museum in a hallway or corner of your home.
This part is where your child gets to show off their work and creativity. It also gives them something to be proud of.
Conclusion
Doing a photo restoration project with your kids isn’t just about the pictures. It’s about sharing stories, spending time together, and teaching them where they come from. It also introduces them to basic photo editing, storytelling, and even some history.
Plus, it gives old photos a new life. They become more than just faded prints — they become part of your family’s living story.
So grab that shoebox and invite your kids to the table. You might be surprised at how fun, meaningful, and creative this little trip into the past can be.
And who knows? It might even spark a lifelong interest in history or photography. Either way, you’ll end up with something beautiful — both in pictures and in memories made together.