This story was originally titled "Make a Family Memory Box," in the February 2009 issue. Subscribe to Canadian Living today and never miss an issue!

Creating a family memory box will help your kids hone all sorts of skills that will enhance their literacy level. Here are seven pointers from the ABC Canada Literacy Foundation.

1. Find a waterproof box that is big enough to hold everything, including items that may be added in the future.

2. Pick a few relatives to interview about your family history and record the stories they tell to put in the box.

3. Write a letter to relatives who live far away and ask them to write back and tell you funny stories about their childhoods.

4. Decorate a notebook and use it to record birth dates or the dates when family members moved to different cities or countries.

5. Find out where your grandparents or great-grandparents were born and research the places.

6. Collect special items from family events, such as wedding invitations.

7. Ask everyone to put an item into the box, along with a note explaining why he or she treasures it.