Get your entire family together again for a day or more. Plan a reunion so that cousins can see each other again or meet for the first time and so the older generation can have fun playing with the younger generation. Depending on the size of your family and how far apart you are geographically, a family reunion can be a simple, one-day event or a large, multi-day party.
Benefits
Hosting a family reunion gives you the chance to reconnect with those closest to you, and to reconnect with people you love but you haven’t been able to see. It also allows you to get several generations of your family together at one time. Games and structured activities give everyone a chance to bond and have fun together and will stave off boredom. You may have so much fun playing with your family that you’ll want to hold a reunion more often.
Types
You can play a wide variety of games at a family reunion. If your family is far-flung and most people haven’t seen each other in years, if ever, you may want to start the party off with a few icebreaker games. Once everyone has learned each other’s name or gotten reacquainted, you can more on to more competitive games, such as tag or relay races. You may want to split the games into sections and have some specifically for children under 10 and some for adults only.
Time Frame
Consider the length of the reunion when selecting games and activities. If you are hosting an event that will only take up an afternoon, you may not have enough time to play more that three or four games. You can plan games that stretch over the course of a multi-day event if you wish. Determine how long each game will last, but don’t be completely inflexible about each game’s length. Some games may be a hit and your relatives will want to keep playing them, while others may fizzle out. Also make sure to plan the games around any other activities, such as a family slide show or meal.
Location
The location of your reunion helps determine the type of games you can play. At a private pool party, you can play games such as water volleyball or Marco Polo. If part or all of your reunion is indoors, break out board games and other group games, such as Pictionary or charades. A public park could be a great place to hold a reunion if your family loves organized sports. When booking a park, check to make sure you will have access to baseball or soccer fields.
Family Memories
Incorporate your family into the games you play. You could set up a table and place pictures of the grandparents and parents when they were younger on it and have the younger family members guess who is who. Ask each family to bring a special memento to the reunion. Set aside time during the party to have each family explain what they’ve brought and place the items in a time capsule. Give the capsule to the most reliable member of your family and instruct them to bring to the next reunion, where it will be opened.
Photo Credit
- The group is photographed image by Pavel Losevsky from Fotolia.com
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