Family Reunion Ideas To Make Your Event Even More Special
Planning a unique family reunion can be a big undertaking. It’s often challenging to find the right family reunion ideas in terms of venues, games, food, and activities. Part of this challenge comes from the fact that there are likely to be various age groups and personalities to consider.
If you’re looking for advice or inspiration in the planning process, read on for everything from best family reunion activities and fun family reunion games to gift ideas that can help you encapsulate the special moments for future generations. We’ll also discuss a few ideas for stress management if you’re feeling the pressure of planning a family event.
Planning family reunions: Where to start?
When planning a family reunion, it can be challenging to know where to begin. To help you get started, focus on what you think most of your family might enjoy—perhaps a cookout, a formal dinner, a weekend of outdoor activities, or a day at the park? Consider the age groups of the individuals in the family who will be attending—including whether there are any children or older family members to consider—when planning the activities. Some people also find it helpful in the planning process to consider a potential theme for the reunion. While you can certainly host a gathering without one, a theme could help you make decisions and create a party that’s cohesive and fun.
What you decide to do and where depends on your own style and any constraints. For some families, a simple backyard barbecue or family potluck where you swap recipe ideas and dishes can be a relaxing way to have fun and engage in spending quality time together. Others might prefer a bigger event, like a rented event space with a DJ who plays everyone’s favorite songs. You could even have a virtual family reunion if members live far apart and/or can’t easily travel. Since every group is unique, consider your family's overall personality, member ages, and availability when tossing around unique family reunion ideas. You might also consider who will be paying for the event and what the budget will be.
Ideas for family reunion games and activities
Planning a few games or activities for your family reunion can be a fun idea for breaking the ice and promoting interaction among family members. According to the Society of Behavioral Medicine, playing games as a family may also have several potential benefits, including social connection and bonding and even support for healthy child development. Adding a game or activity to your reunion may help give the event some structure and get people involved—and you might have fun creating and planning it, too. Below are a few ideas to consider.
Talent show
A talent show is one way for family members to get to know each other’s hidden talents, passions, and pastimes. To plan one for your reunion, you might encourage family members to sign up beforehand and then create a lineup. On the day of, you can clear an area to serve as a makeshift stage, like a deck in the backyard or a stretch of grass at the park. You could have the audience vote by applause for their favorite talent and the winner could receive a prize.
Yard games
If your event is outdoors or in a large indoor space, you might consider setting up some yard games or other interactive activities. This may be a particularly good idea for extended families with many children. You could set up a game of cornhole, tag, tug of war, Simon Says, a relay race, or a three-legged race, for instance, to bring people together and cultivate an atmosphere of cooperation and fun. If your event is indoors, board games could be a viable option too.
Who's who
In this game, you have everyone in the family send you a baby picture of themselves before the event. Then, stick all the photographs to the wall or to a poster at the venue. Keep slips of paper with numbered spaces to match the number of photos nearby so each guest can write down their guesses of who is who. You might also consider having a small prize for the person who gets the most correct.
Scavenger hunt
Creating a scavenger hunt doesn’t have to be as complicated as it may sound, since you can often find scavenger hunt templates online. You could then customize the clues using specific details about different people in your family.
For example, one square could say “Find the couple who has been together for over 40 years” or “Find the family that has four dogs.” When a player locates the individual, couple, or family in question by asking around, they can write that name in the box and go on to the next one. The person or team who finds all the right answers in the fastest time could win a prize.
"Getting to know you" ball game
To learn more about your family members—particularly any you may not see often—you might also try playing the “getting to know you” ball game. Simply take an inflatable beach ball and write a question on each section with a marker. Examples of questions could include:
- What is your favorite family memory?
- Do you have a hobby?
- Where have you traveled, or where would you like to travel?
- What’s your hidden talent?
- What’s your favorite food?
- What’s a fun fact most people here probably don’t know about you?
At the reunion, you can get all the participants to stand in a circle and throw the ball around. Each person must answer the question written on the section that their right hand touches when they catch it. This can be an easy way to increase each member of the family’s knowledge about the others.
Family reunion gift ideas
In some cases, those planning family reunions get or make gifts for the attendees. If you’re interested in doing so, you could get a few gifts to use as prizes for games you might play or as party favors for every attendant. Here are a few ideas.
Photo mementos
You could hire a professional photographer to take pictures of you and your family at the reunion. Or, you could consider having a Polaroid camera or disposable cameras set out and encourage guests to take photos of themselves and each other throughout the event. Setting up a simple photo booth and then uploading all the pictures you take to a digital album that everyone has the link to is another idea.
A family history list or family tree
Family members who are interested in genealogy might find it enjoyable and rewarding to create a family history souvenir to give out at the event. For instance, you could draw out a family tree or compile a list of fun facts about family members and family history. You could then make and distribute copies or send a digital version to each attendant to have and enjoy.
Souvenirs
If you have many family members who live in different cities, states, or countries, you might consider asking each of them to bring a small souvenir with them to the reunion—such as a magnet, a sweet, a postcard, or another item that represents their home. Everyone who brings one can place it in a designated area and exchange it for another person’s souvenir to take home with them as a memento.
Personalized items
If you want to memorialize the reunion, you could make or buy objects with your family’s name and the year on them. Some examples include:
- Hand-painted photo frames
- Magnets
- Buttons
- Hats or t-shirts
- Pens
- Postcards
Managing the stress of planning a family event
If you feel stressed about planning a reunion, seeing certain relatives, or avoiding family conflict, there are several techniques you can try to manage it and care for yourself in the process. Meditating, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, setting boundaries, and asking for help from other family members could all be helpful.
If you’re looking for additional support, you might also benefit from speaking with a therapist. This type of professional can generally offer support related to stress management, anxiety, challenging family dynamics, and many other topics.
If you're busy planning your reunion and don't have time to commute to in-person therapy appointments, you could look into online therapy instead. With a platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched and meet with a licensed therapist remotely from anywhere you have a reliable internet connection. Research suggests virtual therapy can typically offer similar benefits to in-person care, so you can generally feel confident in choosing whichever method you prefer.
Takeaway
What should be included in a family reunion?
A family reunion is a time for connection, bonding, and growth. It is important that a family reunion accommodate all attendees, and for large gatherings, that may necessitate juggling many small details. Below is a short list of things that should be included in every family reunion:
- Entertainment and recreation. It is helpful to offer activities to family members attending the reunion. Games allow the family to engage in friendly competition and bond. Depending on your venue, you might consider lawn games, team-building exercises, or party games like charades. Carnival games may also be a good option for children and adults alike if within budget. Scavenger hunts through urban settings or the great outdoors might also be a fun bonding activity.
- Food and drink. Ensure plenty of refreshments are served, and account for as many dietary preferences as necessary. Including an option to contact you with dietary restrictions may be helpful before the reunion. You may want to serve alcoholic beverages at the reunion, but starting with soft drinks early in the function may be best.
- Mementos and remberances. Consider hiring a professional to take a family photo that includes all extended family members. You may also want to include a guestbook where family members can write messages and notes about their experience. A family tree mural might provide an optimal photo op for family members.
How do you prepare for a family reunion?
Preparing for a successful family reunion requires careful planning and attention to detail, regardless of its size. Here are some general steps you can take to plan and prepare for your family reunion:
- Discuss the reunion with other family members. Work with other family members to determine the best date and venue for the reunion. You may also want to get a rough idea of the size of the reunion during this time.
- Finalize the date. Consider the schedules and restrictions of other family members and choose the date that works best for everyone. It may be worth considering if the family reunion should coincide with a milestone birthday of a family member. Once the date is chosen, send out save-the-dates or informally let other family members know about the date before official invitations are sent.
- Decide the budget. The budget should be finalized before booking venues, entertainment, refreshments, or any other potential expense. Running over budget on the reunion could have consequences, so it is important to consider what financial resources are available to fund the gathering.
- Select a venue. Once the date, budget, and anticipated size of the reunion are known, it is time to select a venue. The venue should be large enough to accommodate every invited guest and inexpensive enough to fit easily within the budget. Community centers, local parks, nature preserves, and ag halls are all affordable options for hosting large gatherings. Be sure to plan a contingency for poor weather if considering an outdoor venue.
- Send the invitations. When the date and venue are finalized, it is time to send official invitations. Traditional invitations sent through the mail are always appropriate, but it may be easier to use digital invitations or create an event on Facebook or another social networking website.
- Plan refreshments. When consulting other family members, inquire about dietary restrictions and preferences. Food and drink should be ample for the size of the gathering but can consist of cost-effective refreshments that fit well within the budget.
- Choose the entertainment. Family reunion activities allow family members to reminisce, bond, and create new memories together. Consider things like telling family stories around a campfire, a collaborative obstacle course, or a trivia night packed with well-known (and maybe a few obscure) family facts. Your venue could also determine the entertainment, such as hosting a family pool party. You can also consider common party strategies for preserving precious memories, such as a DIY photo booth.
- Delegate responsibility. Once the plans are made, it is time to decide who will execute them. Work with other family members to assign roles and duties to those attending.
How do you make a memorable reunion?
Family reunions are kinship rituals that foster recurring, patterned interactions among family members. Reunions allow a family to find continuity in its members' past, present, and future. It may be worthwhile to focus on the connectedness of family members when trying to make the reunion memorable.
Consider entertainment and activities that incorporate family history and allow members to create new family memories. A family history trivia game is a great idea, as are family scavenger hunts. You can also consider things that allow a family to show off its unique abilities, like a talent show. You might also encourage the passing of family recipes by organizing a family cook-off. Anything that lets family members expand their connections meaningfully will likely make your reunion special and memorable.
What is the objective of a family reunion?
Family reunions are common kinship rituals that help family members link their past, present, and future. They help reinforce family identity and beliefs, helping families maintain their unique cultures generation after generation. They are also often celebrations of family longevity and a chance to remember family members who have passed away.
In addition, family reunions help members maintain their family system, even when families are dispersed across a wide geographic area. Members can also expand their kinship during reunions by meeting new spouses and interacting with children who have come of age.
What do you talk about at a family reunion?
Almost any topic is acceptable to discuss at a family reunion, but avoiding inflammatory or controversial topics may be best. Interacting with a large family may mean juggling several points of view, and it is important to separate positions from people. Unless you are sure a family member agrees with you on a particular controversial topic, it is likely best to stick to conversations about recent updates in their lives, their plans for the future, or relevant family news. Evidence suggests that good family relationships support a person’s well-being, but poor relationships may adversely affect it. Avoiding unpleasant topics will likely help keep family relationships positive.
How do you organize a reunion event?
Organizing the best family reunion possible might require significant planning, even for small gatherings. Consider contacting other family members to coordinate the broad facets before focusing on more minor details. In general, three things must be decided before invitations are sent: the date of the reunion, the venue, and the approximate number of attendees.
Family members should be consulted to determine which date works for the most people. Knowing the date will help make choosing a venue easier by allowing you to estimate weather and travel restrictions. Once you have an approximate headcount, you can create a budget and determine relevant expenditures, like refreshments and entertainment.
Refreshments should be ample, with enough food and drink for every guest. If you can, accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences, but be wary of dedicating too much of the budget to food. Entertainment doesn’t need to be expensive either; fun family reunion ideas like scavenger hunts, trivia games, and friendly competitive events (family Olympics, anyone?) are all cost-effective ways to entertain the reunion’s guests.
Send invites (or save the dates) no later than nine months before the reunion. Work with other family members to reach out to distant family members who may be unaware of fine details or may have outdated information.
How long should a family reunion last?
The length of a family reunion often depends on how far people must travel to attend. A single-day event is likely appropriate for families whose members are all within a few hour's drive. If many family members travel greater distances, having a weekend-long event akin to some weddings may be worthwhile. For instance, the main family reunion may be an all-day event on Saturday, but with a planned dinner on Friday and brunch on Sunday to accommodate travel plans and incentivize family members to travel.
What are the benefits of family get-togethers?
Family get-togethers promote family cohesion and help reinforce a family’s identity. They help introduce new kinships, usually due to marriage or a child who has come of age. Family reunions help members link together the past, present, and future and strengthen bonds throughout the family system. On an individual level, strong family connections are likely to promote good mental health, optimism, and positivity. Family get-togethers help family members improve their well-being, connect with their kin, and remain updated on family dynamics.
What are good reunion questions?
Family reunions reinforce family identity and values. Asking family members to give updates on their lives is always a good option, but avoiding political or controversial topics may be worthwhile. It is important to separate positions from people when navigating family functions, and sticking to benign, albeit interesting, topics is likely a good way to reduce the chance of potential conflict.
Here are some examples of good questions to ask at a family reunion:
- Is this the first family reunion you have attended? Or What’s a good story from a family reunion you attended before?
- What’s a fun fact about a family member you know well?
- If you could ask a departed family member one question, who would you ask, and what would the question be?
- How has the family changed since you were young? (For older generations.)
- What are your biggest plans for your future? (For younger generations.)
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