What’s more important than spending time with family? We look forward to those special moments we spend together, making new memories and reflecting on old ones. But life happens, and sometimes family members move away (or we just get too busy to get together). That’s why regular family reunions are crucial.
It can be challenging to come up with family reunion ideas, especially if you want to plan an event that will be enjoyable and memorable for everyone. After all, each of us is unique, and not everyone will enjoy the same activities. So how do you plan a get-together that suits the whole family tree?
To help you connect with loved ones, we’ve compiled this list of the best family reunion activities that everyone will be talking about for years. Keep reading for inspiration!
The Importance of Family Reunions
Family reunions are an essential way for families to come together and reconnect. They allow people to catch up on each other’s lives, share stories and memories, and strengthen the bonds between family members. Family reunions can also be an excellent way for families to preserve their history and traditions, and continue to pass them down to future generations.
Not to mention, family reunions are just plain old fun! Whether you choose to organize lots of activities or you prefer to just enjoy a nice dinner together, family reunions are important events that strengthen family ties.
11 Unique Family Reunion Activities
A family reunion is a special occasion that brings people together, and it’s important to plan activities and events that will be fun for everyone.
Before you start planning, spend some time thinking about the interests, abilities, and preferences of the people attending. You should also make sure your family reunion ideas are appropriate for several age groups, because chances are there will be a range of kids and adults in attendance. Planning family reunion ideas is easier if you involve other family members in the process and ask for their input and suggestions.
However, if you’re ready to take the lead, here are some fun ideas for family reunion activities:
1. Solve an Escape Room
Escape rooms are interactive puzzles or games where players have to solve a series of challenges to “escape” the room within a specific time limit. Solving an escape room with family members is a great way to bond, work together, and create unique memories. Trust us, surviving a Zombie Apocalypse with your family is not a memory anyone will forget soon!
When it comes to unique games to play at a family reunion that encourage bonding, escape rooms are at the top of the list. They’re designed to be fun, challenging, and engaging for all ages. They’re an excellent way for families to work together and test their problem-solving skills. Because escape rooms require players to communicate and collaborate, they can also be a good way for family members to get to know each other better, strengthen bonds, and share some laughs.
So, if you and your family enjoy puzzles and challenges, make a reservation with Paranoia Quest’s nearest escape room today!
2. Play Outdoor Games
Playing outdoor games at a family reunion can be a blast for everyone. Outdoor games are a great way to get everyone moving and having fun together, and there are many different games to choose from that can suit a wide range of ages and abilities.
So spice things up with a little friendly competition! Some popular outdoor games for family reunion gatherings include frisbee, cornhole, capture the flag, soccer, volleyball, and more. These games create a lively and energetic atmosphere at the reunion, helping everyone have fun and get to know each other better.
3. Set Up a Photo Booth
Who doesn’t love a silly photo shoot? Photo booths are a fun and interactive way for people to take pictures together and capture memorable moments from the reunion. By providing goofy props like hats, mustaches, glasses, and wigs, you can encourage people to get creative and take funny pictures together.
Photo booths can also be a good way for everyone from cousins to in-laws to grandparents to get to know each other better. They can be a fun and lighthearted activity that helps break the ice and get people feeling more comfortable. These photos are also a great way to remember the reunion and all the fun that the family had. Pro-tip: Have everyone upload their photos to a shared digital photo album!
You can create a DIY photo booth on a budget. Simply hang a sheet as the backdrop, hang a few Christmas lights for ambiance, and buy a few props from your local party store. You can also ask attendees to bring their own props — you never know what family members have in their closets!
4. Host a Potluck
This is one of the easiest ways to host a family reunion, and you’ll learn who the foodies in the family are! Potlucks are a great way to provide a variety of food for everyone to enjoy without putting too much pressure on anyone to do all the cooking. By having everyone bring a dish to share, you can ensure that you’re covering all food preferences and that there’s something for everyone to eat. An added bonus is that everyone can feel like they’re contributing to the event in their own unique way.
Potlucks also encourage people to try new foods and share their favorite recipes. Perhaps your cousin just moved across the country and they want to bring a dish from their new state. Potlucks in a buffet style also provide a fun and social way to eat, as people can sample dishes from different family members and have a chance to chat and catch up with each other.
5. Host a Family Game Tournament
Tournament games for family gatherings are a fun and competitive way for families to come together, test their skills, and enjoy a little friendly competition. You can have nuclear families compete against each other (the Joneses vs. the Smiths), kids vs. adults, or whatever arrangement you prefer!
You can choose from a variety of games to include in the tournament, such as board games, trivia, or outdoor games like bocce and flag football. If you really want to go all out, set up a bracket or schedule to determine who will play against each other. This can create a sense of excitement and anticipation at the reunion and encourage people to get involved and have fun.
Tournament games for reunions allow people to spend time together, share in the excitement of competition, and depending on the game, lots of laughs (Twister tournament, anyone?).
6. Host a Talent Show
Do you know all of your family members’ secret talents? Talent shows aren’t just a unique and fun memory for everyone involved, they’re also a great way for families to learn more about each other and discover hidden talents. You may be surprised to learn your aunt can breakdance or that your little cousin can sing opera!
Talent shows are great because they’re inclusive of everyone in attendance and appropriate for all ages. Those who want to can choose to participate, while those who don’t can sit back and enjoy the entertainment. Make sure to film the show so you can laugh about this unique memory in the years to come.
You don’t even need a stage for your talent show, just set up enough chairs, clear an open space where the performer can be seen, and provide a microphone if you have one. If you want, hang a sheet as the backdrop and drape some lights for a little extra flair.
7. Set Up an Arts and Crafts Station
If you’re looking for reunion ideas that are a hit with both kids and parents alike, an arts and crafts station is a sure bet. Kids love getting creative and making their own art, while parents love the break from watching the kids. Not to mention, lots of adults are going to want to create their own masterpieces as well!
You can set up a table with various craft supplies (such as markers, paints, and scissors) and encourage people to make something that reflects their interests or talents. This can be a great way for people to relax and have fun and provide an opportunity for family members to share their creative ideas and skills.
The crafts and art projects that people make at the DIY station can also serve as mementos of the reunion and can be a fun way to remember the event in the future. If you want an idea that has everyone collaborating, set up a group project. You can have attendees write messages in a guest book, ask everyone to draw something on a large piece of construction paper, or create a collage.
8. Host a Family Movie Night
This one is a more laid-back family reunion activity, but it’s always a hit with family members of all ages. If you (or another family member) have enough space to host everyone, do it at home! You can ask people to vote on what they want to watch (just make sure the options are child-appropriate if kids are coming) and bring their favorite snacks and candy. You can even ask people to dress up as their favorite character!
If you have a huge family that simply can’t fit in a normal-sized living room, you have two options. If your yard is big enough, set up a projector on a warm summer night. Ask everyone to bring their own chairs and hang some lights for ambiance. This will be a hit with adults and kids alike (though it won’t be a hit with your neighbors if you play too loud, so keep the volume down).
Alternatively, you can arrange for everyone to meet at a local movie theater and splurge on popcorn, drinks and all the good stuff. Just make sure everyone is respectful of other movie goers once the showing starts.
9. Set Up a Scavenger Hunt
If you’re planning fun games for family reunions, consider setting up a scavenger hunt to add some excitement and adventure to the event. Scavenger hunts are a fun and interactive way for people to compete with each other and create lasting memories. Make sure the scavenger hunt isn’t too difficult — you don’t want people getting frustrated!
Want to incorporate a little family history? Scavenger hunts can be a good way for families to learn more about their history and heritage. You can include clues and challenges related to the family’s past or traditions, with a relevant prize at the end! No need to go big, the prize can simply be a cake made from an old family recipe or a gift card to a local business.
10. Host a Karaoke Night
Who doesn’t love a good old fashioned karaoke night? For those who can and can’t sing, this is always a fun activity that everyone will remember for years to come. You can set up a karaoke machine at home or rent a room at a local karaoke spot.
Want to have your own American Idol moment? Make it a competition! Set up a panel of “judges” and have them comment on everyone’s performance. Alternatively, you can have attendees vote on winners in different categories such as Best Singer, Worst Singer, Silliest Dance, and so on. This can create a lively and exciting atmosphere at the reunion and allow people to let loose and have fun.
11. Host Family History Trivia
An easy family reunion game idea is to create a Jeopardy-style quiz based on your family history. This quiz can be a fun and interactive way for people to learn more about their family’s past and discover interesting facts and stories about their ancestors. A family history quiz is an excellent way to preserve and pass down the family’s history to future generations.
If you want to keep things more modern or you don’t know much about your family history, go for more recent memories that will bring laughter and joy to the family. For example, perhaps someone knocked over the cake at your cousin’s wedding or someone forgot your mom’s birthday two years in a row. Make sure to include everyone so no one feels left out.
Family trivia can be a great way to spark conversations about the family’s past and allow people to share their own stories. It’s a fun way to look back on fond memories while creating new ones!
Family Fun at Paranoia Quest
For one of the best family reunion activities that everyone will love, solve an escape room at Paranoia Quest! We offer a variety of interactive and immersive escape rooms for groups of all ages, from Murder Mysteries to the Zombie Apocalypse. Book your next family reunion at our escape room in Atlanta today!
