A Quick Guide to Planning a Fun Family Reunion

Planning a family reunion is actually more about planning to have fun for the entire family. If you are the lucky person assigned to come up with ideas on what to do during your family reunion, you can benefit from the following pointers on how to keep the fun going.

The secret to a successful family reunion lies in creating an atmosphere where every family member—from toddlers to great-grandparents—feels included, entertained, and connected to the family story.

1. Have a Theme: Setting the Stage for Fun

Having a theme will surely make a family reunion interesting and fun. You can perhaps go Hawaiian. The Hawaiian theme is best if there is a swimming pool where you will be holding the family reunion. Everyone can come dressed in hula shirts, drink in coconut glasses, partake of the luau and enjoy the pineapple galore.

Popular Theme Ideas

Tropical Paradise (Hawaiian):

• Decorations: Tiki torches, palm fronds, bright tropical flowers
• Attire: Hawaiian shirts, grass skirts, flower leis
• Food: Luau-style barbecue, tropical fruits, coconut drinks
• Activities: Limbo contests, hula dancing lessons, tiki bar setup
• Music: Island music, ukulele performances

Decades Themes:

• 1950s Sock Hop: Poodle skirts, classic cars, diner food, rock and roll
• 1960s Peace & Love: Tie-dye, flower power, folk music
• 1970s Disco: Platform shoes, disco balls, dance contests
• 1980s Retro: Neon colors, big hair, arcade games

Heritage and Cultural Themes:

• Old Country: Celebrate your family's country of origin
• Western/Cowboy: Bandanas, line dancing, barbecue, country music
• Sports Team: Family favorite team colors, tailgate food
• Movie Theme: Based on family's favorite films

Theme Implementation Tips

For more theme ideas you can use for your family reunion, check out family reunion websites. You can also consult with family reunion specialists and they can help you plan a fun family reunion.

Making Themes Work:

• Advance Notice: Give family members time to prepare costumes
• Optional Participation: Ensure non-participants feel welcome
• Photo Opportunities: Create themed photo backdrops
• Prizes: Award creative costume interpretations
• Age-Appropriate: Ensure theme appeals to all generations

2. Breaking the Ice: Getting Everyone Comfortable

As guests arrive at the family reunion, there is bound to be people who are unfamiliar with the other members of the family. There could be some discomfort here so you need to warm up everybody with a game or any activity that promotes acquaintance with each other.

Essential Icebreaker Games

Consider the following icebreakers: "Human BINGO," "I Am A Turtle" and "Bring Me."

Human BINGO: Interactive Mingling

In "Human BINGO," create bingo cards. However, instead of the usual numerals in the cards, write in human traits or characteristics. You may include physical traits like eye color, particular hobbies or activities a person may like or may have engaged in at least once (e.g., skydiving or bungee-jumping). At the start of the game, players search for a family member who has the trait called for, and have that family member sign his or her name on the card. Repeat the call and signing cycle until someone completes a BINGO black out.

Human BINGO Square Ideas:

• Physical Traits: "Has brown eyes," "Is left-handed," "Over 6 feet tall"
• Life Experiences: "Has lived in 3+ states," "Speaks two languages," "Has been to Europe"
• Hobbies: "Plays musical instrument," "Enjoys gardening," "Loves to cook"
• Adventures: "Has been skydiving," "Ran a marathon," "Owns a motorcycle"
• Family Connections: "Born in same month as you," "Has same middle name," "Is a grandparent"

I Am Turtle: Creative Expression

"I Am Turtle" is a wonderful game that lets everyone become acquainted with unfamiliar relatives. In this icebreaker, the younger members of the family draw a picture of something that best portrays them It can be an animal or a thing, such as a parrot for a chatterbox or a hammer for a carpenter. The older family members choose which picture gives the best representation of the player's characteristics. Not only is this game fun, but it helps the older generation get to know the younger ones.

Game Enhancement Ideas:

• Art Supplies: Provide quality materials for better drawings
• Time Limit: Keep energy high with reasonable time constraints
• Guessing Round: Let everyone guess before revealing answers
• Memory Keeper: Save drawings in reunion scrapbook

Bring Me: Active Engagement

"Bring Me" is another fun game you can use to loosen up everyone and get them in a fun and mingling mood. In this game, the facilitator asks the younger members of the family to bring in items or objects. For instance, when the facilitator says, "Bring me a fifty dollar bill", the first person to do so gets a prize. However, the catch in this game is that the item or object brought by the winning player must not come from his or her immediate family such as parents or siblings; it can, however, be sourced from other relatives like an aunt, uncle or cousin. This game allows intermingling between family members, especially between the younger and older relatives.

Creative "Bring Me" Requests:

• "Bring me a photo from someone's wallet"
• "Bring me something red from a cousin's purse"
• "Bring me a business card from an uncle"
• "Bring me keys with more than 5 keys on them"
• "Bring me something that represents a hobby"

3. Games During the Family Reunion: Sustained Entertainment

Family reunions normally last more than a day. As people are not likely to be content with merely taking walks, you can keep everyone busy and entertained by holding family games. A few games you can play during the family reunion include the "Generation Sack Game," "Family Tug of War," and "Musical Chairs."

Generation Sack Race: Cross-Generational Fun

The "Generation Sack Race" is similar to the traditional sack race...but with a twist. The twist in this version is in the pairing of the players. One player will come from an older generation and the other player will come from the younger generation. They will share a sack and hop together all the way to the finish line.

Benefits of Generation Pairing:

• Creates natural mentoring opportunities
• Builds trust between age groups
• Generates lots of laughter and photos
• Encourages cooperation and communication

Safety Considerations:

• Choose appropriate distances for mixed abilities
• Ensure safe, level racing surfaces
• Have first aid available for minor tumbles
• Offer alternative roles for those who can't participate

Family Tug of War: Team Competition

In the "Family Tug of War" game, two families will be tugging a thick rope against each other until one family overpowers the other and pulls them across the line. To add more fun to this family reunion game, you can create a puddle of mud using a garden hose and have it serve as the center line.

Team Formation Strategies:

• Family Branches: Pit different family lines against each other
• Random Teams: Mix families for more mingling
• Age Divisions: Create fair competitions by age groups
• Progressive Tournament: Winner takes on new challengers

Equipment and Setup:

• Heavy-duty rope at least 50 feet long
• Clear boundary markers
• Optional mud pit or kiddie pool for added excitement
• Towels and cleanup station
• Camera crew for action shots

Musical Chairs: Multi-Generational Twist

In "Musical Chairs," have music playing in the background as players go around chairs arranged in a circle. When the music stops, players sit on the chairs, which are just enough save for one player. The player left standing leaves the game at the end of each round. Before the music starts playing again, you remove one chair. To make this family reunion more fun, you can have the older family members sitting on the chairs and have the children go around the chairs as the music plays. At the end of each round, a young family member leaves the game and an older family member is removed too.

Music Selection Strategy:

• Mix songs from different decades
• Include family favorites and requests
• Balance slow and fast-paced music
• Consider cultural music reflecting family heritage

Additional Game Ideas

"Generation Sack Game," "Family Tug of War" and "Musical Chairs" are just three of the many games you can play during your family reunion. You can play any game and even modify it so that it can be played by everyone, fostering inter-generational contact.

More Active Games:

• Family Olympics: Multi-event competition with various challenges
• Relay Races: Water balloon, egg-and-spoon, three-legged races
• Scavenger Hunts: Photo hunts or object finding around venue
• Sports Tournaments: Softball, volleyball, basketball competitions

4. Bring in Live Entertainment: Professional and Family Talent

Liven up the family reunion by bringing in entertainment. For instance, hire a band for an evening of gracious socializing or non-stop dancing if you are holding the family reunion at a hotel or pavilion. You can also ask family members to showcase their talents. Are there dancers and singers in the family? Ask them to do special numbers. You can keep the younger ones entertained through puppet shows, an afternoon of making arts and crafts, or a good storytelling session around a bonfire.

Professional Entertainment Options

Musical Entertainment:

• Live Bands: Local groups playing music from different eras
• DJ Services: Professional sound with requests and announcements
• Solo Musicians: Acoustic performers for background ambiance
• Cultural Performers: Musicians reflecting family heritage

Interactive Entertainers:

• Magicians: Family-friendly shows appealing to all ages
• Balloon Artists: Create party favors while entertaining
• Face Painters: Popular with children and adventurous adults
• Caricature Artists: Unique keepsakes for reunion attendees

Family Talent Showcases

Talent Show Categories:

• Musical Performances: Singing, instrumental music, family bands
• Dance Routines: Solo performances or group choreography
• Comedy Acts: Family comedians sharing wholesome humor
• Storytelling: Family historians sharing interesting stories
• Special Skills: Magic tricks, juggling, unique abilities

Age-Specific Entertainment

For Children:

• Puppet Shows: Interactive storytelling with participation
• Arts and Crafts: Family crest making, photo decorating
• Story Time: Family history told in child-friendly ways
• Nature Activities: Bug hunts, leaf collecting, outdoor exploration

For Teens:

• Technology Zones: Gaming areas or video creation stations
• Sports Competitions: Basketball, volleyball, or soccer
• Photography Project: Documenting reunion for family
• Music Creation: Collaborative playlist making

For Adults:

• Wine/Beer Tasting: If appropriate for family
• Card Games: Bridge, poker, or family-friendly options
• Discussion Groups: Family history sharing sessions
• Cooking Demonstrations: Traditional family recipes

Planning for Success

You can keep your family reunion spirited from start to finish and there are several ways to do it. When planning for your family reunion, focus all efforts towards getting the most fun out of it. Consult family reunion websites for hot tips to ensure a successful and fun-filled family reunion. Whatever activities you come up with for your family reunion, keep in mind that your overall objective is to gather the whole clan together and have fun as one.

Essential Planning Tips

Preparation Checklist:

• Activity Supplies: Gather all game materials in advance
• Weather Backup: Have indoor alternatives for outdoor activities
• Photography Plan: Assign family photographers for different activities
• Volunteer Coordination: Recruit family helpers for activity management
• Schedule Flexibility: Allow for spontaneous fun and longer popular activities

Creating Lasting Memories:

• Document Everything: Photos, videos, and written memories
• Participate in Activities: Leaders should join in the fun
• Celebrate Everyone: Recognize participation over competition
• Share Stories: Connect activities to family history and traditions

The Formula for Fun

A successful family reunion combines thoughtful planning with spontaneous joy. By incorporating themes, icebreakers, engaging games, and entertainment, you create an environment where family bonds strengthen and new memories are made.

Remember that the best family reunions are those where everyone feels included, entertained, and valued. Focus on activities that bring generations together, celebrate your family's unique story, and create the kind of positive experiences that family members will talk about until the next reunion—and beyond.