Family reunions are wonderful gatherings where family members get to reconnect and reflect. It’s also a time when many family members meet one another for the first time. Because a family reunion is such a special and major celebration, it is important to have a ton of fun and include a lot of wonderful activities. If you’re part of the planning committee for your family reunion and find yourself struggling to come up with a great activities list, check out five different family reunion activities that are sure to leave long-lasting memories and strengthen familial bonds.
Family Bingo
Bingo is an easy favorite among all age ranges. Make sure to have wonderful prizes that people are motivated to play for. In this particular bingo, involve the family theme through various events that are happening at the reunion. Try to make it as inclusive as possible because people are still getting to know each other at these types of events.
Family Jeopardy
Create a really large game board out of a large piece of cardboard. At the top of the cardboard, line up five or six different categories. For each category, choose questions that involve the family directly. “What are the names of the family members who live in Athens, Alabama?” and “Which son graduated from the University of Texas?” are a few great questions to ask. These questions share the accomplishments and facts about the families in a game. As more family members play the game, the better they’ll get to know one another.
Water Dunking Tank Contest
Choose the uncle that makes jokes on everyone or a family member who won’t mind the fun of a dunking tank contest. Before they get into the tank, encourage them to wear their custom designed t-shirt for the family reunion. Family reunion t-shirts are a great visual way to bring the family together and celebrate the bond of togetherness. A photograph of the jokester cousin or uncle in the family reunion t-shirt in the dunking booth will truly be a priceless moment. Make sure all the children get a chance to throw. Additionally, make sure the entire family understands this is just done for fun. This isn’t a time to release pent-up aggression on whoever’s in the dunk tank.
Who’s Who?
Play a guessing game of Who’s Who. A few weeks before the family reunion, ask everyone to send in a jpg version of their baby picture. Create a large slideshow of all the different baby pictures. Everyone should get a worksheet with a numbered list and a pencil. As the picture pops up on the screen, family members should write down who they think the baby is. The person with the most baby pictures right wins!
Fireside Chat
Depending on the location of the reunion, consider building a large fire pit. Gather everyone around for s’mores, hot dogs, and cold beverages. During this time, allow various family members to share special stories about the family’s history to help everyone become more aware of the heritage they come from.
These activities are guaranteed to be a blast. With a little ingenuity and lots of different personalities, this family reunion is be one for the history books.