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If you meet your cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents after a long time, planning a get-together using some creative family reunion ideas may be wonderful. Being around family is always fun.The interesting conversations, story telling, never-ending laughter, delicious food, amusing games, and fun-filled activities make a family reunion memorable.
So, if you’re seeking enjoyable ideas and activities to explore during your upcoming family social gathering, this post is for you. Here, we bring some of the best ideas that can delight everyone in the family.
How To Plan A Family Reunion?
The most important things to decide for a family reunion are the date and the time frame of the gathering. These two aspects depend on the answers to these questions –How many family members would be joining? Would they be available on the chosen dates? Do they have to travel to the venue for the event? How will they travel? Who is going to take the responsibilities of planning?
Keeping these in mind, you need to pick a date and set the duration of the family reunion.
1. Picking the perfect date for the event
Confusion, and maybe even chaos, could arise when you are planning an event involving so many people.Not all can be free on the picked day unless it is a common holiday. Some may be able to take a trip on a special gathering day for the family. Therefore, pick a date that is both special and convenient for everyone.
- Holiday season:One of the most convenient times for visiting relatives or planning a reunion with all thefamily memberswould be the holiday season. Either summer holidays, Christmas holidays, or long weekends during national holidays (Labor Day, the Fourth of July, or Memorial Day) should be considered.
- Special date: If there is a celebration date such as grandparent’s birthday or someone’s anniversary, then it would be a wonderful date for a family reunion.
- Fixed date:All of you can fix one date and see that every family reunion happens on that date every year. It could be New Year’s Eve, the second Saturday of a month, or something that the entire family agrees upon.
2. The time frame of the family union
If you have family gatherings often, one evening or night would be enough. But if it is once a year and the family members are coming from distant places, it makes sense to spend more time together. One day would not be enough for the fun you want to have.
A couple of days or an extended weekend might be a good idea to consider. The decision should be taken after consulting every person in the family. If the family is bigger, then the duration of the event might need to be longer.
Who Should Be Invited To The Family Reunion?
Close and immediate family members such as first cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents may be invited. The in-laws and distant relatives who gel well with the immediate family members can be invited too.
If you have a friend or neighbor who is as good as family, you could include them. But do ask everyone if they are comfortable with this. Tag them in only if your family members approve the additions. Otherwise, it could turn into an awkward situation.
Interesting Family Reunion Ideas
Here, we have listed some varied and amusing ideas for a family reunion. You may use them as-is, merge a few, or take them as inspiration to create your own and plan a fantastic event.
Family Reunion Themes
1. Beach theme
If you are planning a reunion in summer, a beach theme can be great fun. It can be all about sun, surf, and sand. Book a beach resort for your entire family for a couple of days and have fun. You can even indulge in a cookout. Don’t forget to enjoy seafood and making sandcastles!
2. Carnival theme
How about a bright and colorful family reunion? What could be better than a carnival theme? You can make some colorful DIY stuff, wear fancy costumes, make posters, and gobble on candies and popcorn. You can havecrazy gamesand fusion foods too!
3. Disney or Marvel theme
If the family has a lot of young ones who are Disney fans, or Marvel fans, then such a theme would be a brilliant option.You can have Disney or superhero posters, get costumes, and even decorate the place where you are reuniting to mirror your theme. Additionally, you can transform the gathering into a movie or video night.
4. Sports theme
Is your entire family fond of football, soccer, or cricket? If yes, then pick a sport that all of you have your hearts set on. For instance, if your family is a football fan, you can get your customized jerseys, plan games for a couple of days, and even set up a camp at the fixed venue.
5. Camping theme
If you have been planning for an adventure, consider camping as a reunion theme.Children, adults, and even older members of the family can enjoy outdoor activities altogether.A few such activities may include fishing, hiking, sightseeing, and sitting around a bonfire. That’s not all. The entire environment would be filled with energy when your reunion theme is so adventurous.
6. Mexican theme
墨西哥的一部分ies are all about high spirits. If you desire crossing borders while still being within your home, then pick this party theme. You can decorate your venue with chili lights, cutouts, colorful flags, and balloons, and wear some funky clothes to enjoy a gala time withyour loved ones.
7. Halloween theme
This is one theme that can have plenty of mini themes under it. Either create a Victorian theme or Romeo Juliet, or Addams’ Family theme decoration at the venue, get photo booths, bring props, and have a bash. Your entire family can have a great time becoming and acting spooky or weird. To make it more interesting, you may include a Halloween-themed potluck dinner.
8. Scavenger hunt theme
The more, the merrier. This is particularly fun when there are many people playing a scavenger hunt game. And now, you not only get to play the game but also have an entire reunion based on this theme. You can pick up ideas such as pirates, pyramids, secret agents, and even missing treasure for the event.
9. Fashion show theme
如果你计划为期两天或三天的郊游for a reunion, you can have a fashion family reunion theme. For instance, one day can be a historic day, and the next could be modern-day. All family members can dress accordingly. They can pick some historic leaders or modern artists and plan a brilliant event.
10. Family reunion tree
Another exciting option is a ‘back to roots’ or ‘family tree’ theme for the reunion. You can create or build a family tree and decorate it with pictures of your ancestors, prepare authentic family recipes, and learn about the history of your family and cherish the good old times.
11. 80s party theme
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Remember Madonna and Michael Jackson breaking the floor? Their styles, music, songs, and almost everything send a positive wave of nostalgia. Why not travel back in time by organizing a family reunion in the 80s party theme. Your entire family would have a great time dancing to groovy tunes.
12. Patriotic theme
Who doesn’t love their country? If patriotism runs strong in your family, then you can enjoy a family reunion with this unique theme. Plan a BBQ picnic, get the country’s flags, put on some patriotic songs, share your thoughts on the great historical movements, and create memorable moments for the future. It is a special theme that can teach the children in the family about the history of the country.
13. Nature theme
Need a break from city life? Then plan a family reunion in the countryside. Stay away from your gadgets and the internet, bring a picnic basket or cook dishes with fresh farm veggies, and do what people do there. An escape to the countryside with yourextended familycan be refreshing for all.
You can even engage everyone in craft-making and decorating the crafts.
14. Festival theme
When you are planning your family reunion during a special time of year or a particular festival, then you may plan the same theme. Halloween, fall, the fourth of July, Art and Wine festivals, and Christmas are some of the most common and exciting themes that you can choose from. You can even make gift exchanges a part of your family tradition.
15. Periodical theme
You can pick any period from history. It can be the Renaissance era, Greek mythology, caveman, or 1920s or 1950s era. All the family members can vote and decide the final theme. It could be a new and fresh idea as a family reunion theme. You may also consider converting the theme into a home movie night by including movies from a specific era.
Family Reunion Games
There is no fun in a family reunion without the games. You can come up withgamesthat are generic or related to the theme you choose. Here, we give you a list of some indoor and outdoor family reunion game ideas for you.
Indoor games
16. Charades
This is a traditional game that is most liked and played at family events. You can customize this game according to the theme of the reunion or as your family wants it. You can act out an activity, a movie, phrase, a great personality, or a book.
17. Obstacle course
Yes, this is an indoor game. You can create a series of obstacles inside the house using the furniture. Crawling under the sofa, hopping over the chairs, walking on pillows cautiously, and whatnot. When so many family members play together, it would be unlimited fun.
18. Giant Jenga
Not a Jenga, get a giant Jenga. That’s because it is a family reunion. You can be creative and write some truths and dares on the Jenga slabs. The one who takes out a slab has to say or do whatever it is mentioned. The simple game could become super awesome when the family is in!
19. Make a story
你可以玩游戏知道如何创造你的全家ly members are. Sit in a circle. One person in the circle is supposed to start a random story with one line. The next person should say one line to start forming a story. Eventually, it would turn out to be a hilarious story.
20. Stack it up
You will need a stack stick and some blocks (Lego). Make two teams. One person each from both the teams needs to hold the stick in their mouth and start stacking up the blocks. The person who stacks more blocks in a certain time limit wins the game. The stacking can be done in variations as well. For instance, keep walking and stacking. Come up with more ideas, and you will surely have a good laugh.
21. Show your talent
Everybody has a hidden talent. It could be their wit, a great singing voice, dance moves, mimicking voices, or just a unique way of telling a story. No matter what the talent is, or how weird it is, a talent show during the reunion can be used to showcase everyone.
22. Reveal family secrets
This game would kill theboredom. When you have a big extended family, it is natural to know each other’s secrets. Plan a time when everyone is in a relaxed mood, and one by one, keep disclosing each other’s secrets. Make sure you are having fun and not humiliating your loved one. For example: out of limits are stories about divorce, etc.
23. Family trivia
This game would see how well you know about your family. You need to prepare a questionnaire with questions related to each member of the family.At what age did our grandparents get married? How did Uncle Peter propose to his wife?And so on. But make sure there are some funny ones too.
24. Pictionary
Some cards have words or phrases or activities. Pick a card and draw that. And your family members will have to guess what your drawing depicts. It is a fantastic game, and if you have a bad artist in the family, it could get funnier, and you’ll just have more laughs.
25. Card games
Not finding any new game? Pick up a deck of playing cards, and you can play any game. If you want to have fun, then Uno cards could be a great choice.
Outdoor Games
26. Tug of war
This outdoor game can be considered as everyone’s favorite game, which makes it a great pick for a family reunion. Children, adults, and even older family members can play and have fun with others.
26. Treasure hunt
Unlike the usual scavenger hunt, you can hide certain things all over your place or venue. And then come up with riddles describing the thing. Your family members need to figure out what it is and then find it.
27. Ball game
You can play any ball game outdoors with your family. It can be volleyball, football, basketball, or cricket. The idea is to have fun and mingle with your family members.
28. Pull your team member
This game is also called ‘you pull, I sit.’ You need to make teams. While one person sits on a carpet, the other team member pulls the carpet from point A to point B. That’s a bit childish and amusing too!
29. Sack race
This game might sound boring or outdated. But once you start playing, you would surely enjoy it. You can make teams of two with different aged family members in it. And go back to being kids jumping around in a sack.
30. Eating competition
Heard about a cooking competition but not eating? The foodies of your family can come up with their eating competition. It could be munching on fries or gobbling on cupcakes. It’s your call.
31. Sardines
It is like the hide-and-seek game. The only difference is that it works in reverse. A person needs to hide. And others must find that person. When another person finds the hidden person, they should hide in the same spot. Eventually, the hidden group becomes a bunch of sardines. And the last person would be the one to lose the game.
32. Lawn twister
Get creative and make a twister board on your lawn. And see that everyone in your family is playing the game and having a bash. A lawn twister is a fun-filled outdoor game where two teams compete with each other. You can either use colorful cardboards to make round shapes and place them on the ground or use bright-colored paints to draw circles on the grass.
One team has to challenge other team members to put their hands or feet on a colored circle and perform an action. It could be ‘tell a joke,’ ‘sing a song,’ or ‘answer a calculation.’ The game proceeds, and eventually, everyone is found in twisted shapes on the floor and laughing watching each other.
33. Backyard bowling
Start collecting bottles or cans or anything that can create the track for bowling. Stack them in your outdoor area and make teams. While one team is arranging the stack in a specific order, the other team members must hit with them a ball. It could be super fun.
34. Hide and seek
Every member of your family might have enjoyed this game. Now it’s time to play it again, and this time with each other. It is a classic family game that nobody would refuse to play.
35. Pool game
This game is played in the swimming pool. You would need a few balls. You can have a net in the middle of the pool and smash the ball from one side to another, just as you play volleyball. See that there are three to four balls.
This way, there will be more confusion and more fun. The goal is not to drop the ball. The team that drops the balls more often within the set time limit (say thirty minutes) will lose. Have a scorekeeper for each team.
Family Reunion T-shirt Ideas
Want to make your family reunion the best of all? How about having matching t-shirts for every family member? That sounds cool, right? We have some ideas for you.
36. We’re a family
Every member of the family can get plain t-shirts for themselves. It could be the same color or different colors. Once you get them, get the phrase ‘We’re a family’ printed on each of them.
37. Family reunion
Get the same colored t-shirts for everyone in the family. And get your family name printed on them with the year in which you are having a reunion. It could make memorable souvenirs for all. For instance, ‘Simpsons Family Reunion 2020,’ or ‘Fishers Family Reunion 2020.’
38. Superfamily
Do you consider your family to be a superfamily? Then why not get the same printed on your family t-shirts. Pick one color for t-shirts for everyone.
39. Color-coordinated t-shirts
The females of the family can pick one color, and the males of the family can pick another. For instance, females can wear white, and males can wear black. Or females can wear green and males can wear orange. It would be a colorful reunion.
40. Generation t-shirt
When you are going to have a family reunion, there will be family members from different generations. You can fix one color for one generation. For instance, grandparents and their cousins can have yellow, parents, and their siblings or cousins can have red-colored t-shirts, and the youngest generation can have green. That would be so funky and cool.
41. Emojis t-shirt
你想看起来独特但相同的一部分吗family? Then buy the same colored t-shirts for all but print different emojis on all of them. One can have a smiley emoji, and another one can have a wink emoji, and so on.
42. Relationship t-shirt
In case you are planning a family reunion for a specific person, then that person can have a unique colored t-shirt. The other family members can have the same colored t-shirts along with the relationship that they share with that special person. For instance, if you are celebrating grandfather’s birthday, then other t-shirts would have ‘son,’ ‘granddaughter,’ ‘wife,’ and so on.
43. I love my family t-shirt
The main reason for a family reunion is that you love your family. Then why not get all your t-shirts printed with ‘I love my family.’ You can also have a red heart in place of ‘love’ on the t-shirt.
44. Family quotes t-shirt
Every member of the family is unique but is a part of a family. You can have the same colored t-shirts for each of them but have different quotes printed on each. For instance, ‘I’m the cool grandparent,’ ‘I love my grandmother,’ ‘Family union, don’t disturb.’ You can come up with your creative lines and make it interesting.
45. WTF t-shirt
This is another funky t-shirt design that you can have for your entire family. WTF here stands for ’What The Family!’ However, see how this fits into your family as the more conservative members may not like wearing this.
Family Reunion Food Ideas
No family reunion is complete without a food fiesta. And we have some cool ideas for foods that you can incorporate for your reunion.
46. Deviled eggs
When there are so many people in the family, one of the fine recipes that you can make for everyone is deviled eggs. It is a good option to make food in bulk. You can come up with your own mix or make them in different styles for different age groups.
47. Macaroni salad
Salad is something that can be enjoyed at any time in a day. And one option could be the summer salad that can have vegetables, cream, and cheese. Children, adults, and even grandparents would love it. But do keep it refrigerated.
48. Banana cake
A celebration is incomplete without a cake. And one of the classic recipes is a banana cake. It is an easy-to-make cake that the family can relish.
49. Sandwiches
Another easy-to-make and versatile recipe that can be made for a family reunion is a sandwich. Make a variety of sandwiches to please just about everyone.
50. Cupcakes
This is a tasty option for bulk cooking. You can make different kinds of cupcakes and keep them on the table. And your family can munch them anytime for the next couple of days.
51. Lemonade
A food fiesta with family should not just have food to eat. There should be some drinks as well. And one of the simple yet lovable drinks by every person in the family could be lemonade.
52. Fried chicken
There are some recipes without which afamily reunionmight look dull. And fried chicken belongs to such a category. All you have to do is marinate your chicken, fry it, and pamper your taste buds.
53. Brownie
Some sweet recipes can spread sweetness in the air. Make some brownies at one time and keep relishing them for a couple of days.
54. Nachos or fries
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Sometimes, you are not hungry, but you would like to munch on something. French fries or nachos are what you should have in such instances. Get a few dips to go with them, and your finger food section is set.
55. Iced tea
Any flavored iced tea can be a special add on for the family reunion. You can make raspberry iced tea or orange-flavored tea. And find your family members sipping it with utmost satisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What should one not do at a family reunion?
Don’t force anyone to participate in activities if they are not interested, don’t bring out past events that once caused tension and stress in the family, don’t get drunk and create a nuisance, don’t be antisocial and rude, and lastly don’t speak ill of other members.
2. Why are family reunions so important?
Family reunions help bring all the near and far relatives together and catch up on each other’s lives. They help the older generations to mingle with the younger ones and shower and receive the love and care they have for each other. Simply put, family reunions are a great way to keep relationships strong.
3. Who pays for the family reunion?
Every family has different rules for a family reunion. In some families, the family reunion is hosted by the family, who invites others to their place. In other families, everyone contributes to the reunion, either in the way of money or resources. Some families prefer to host family reunions but expect guests to bring food. You can decide what works best for you and choose accordingly.
4. What is the best color for a family reunion?
The best colors for a family reunion are pastels in blue, green, and neutral colors, as they come out well in photographs. However, you may select a color theme and ask your family to wear at least one piece of clothing of that color.
5. How long should a family reunion last?
The length of a family reunion depends on the families spending time together. It could last one afternoon or be over the weekend. It may be even longer, depending on time-offs and other schedules.
6. What is the tradition of a family reunion?
The tradition of a family reunion is to bring together several generations and encourage them to spend time together. This will help the younger generations trace their roots and the older generations learn new things about the younger ones.
7. Do people still do family reunions?
Yes, family reunions still happen whenever the family members have time. If there is no time for a physical reunion, there are other options, like online reunions, to keep in touch with your family.
8. How big is the average family reunion?
Every family reunion is different. In some cases, it could consist of four adults and two children, while in other cases, there could be ten or more adults and 15 or more children.
9. What is the difference between a family gathering and a reunion?
A family gathering is when your immediate family gets together for dinner or to spend time. A family reunion is when the entire family, including distant relatives, comes together to enjoy. However, these two terms are often used interchangeably.
10. How can we incorporate family traditions into the reunion?
Include activities that honor the family traditions and encourage children to participate. These activities could include cooking traditional recipes, playing culturally significant games, sharing stories, and displaying old pictures or heirlooms.
Pick the most suitable one from these family reunion ideas. However, choosing a date and venue suitable for all the invitees is crucial. Plan for holidays or extended weekends depending on the duration of your reunion program. Decide on themes, activities, or games, and delicious food to make the most of the together time. You may also opt for personalized family clothing to feel like one big team. The motive is to value a big happy family’s presence and spend a great time with each of them.
Infographic: Why Family Reunions Can Be Good For You?
是一个喜庆的季节,婚礼的季节,或任何另外一些er occasion, meeting your immediate and extended family is always refreshing. A reunion can also provide a ground to clear old misunderstandings and solidify the bonds. This infographic shares some insights on the importance of family reunions in your life.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.
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Key Pointers
- Pick a perfect day for a family reunion and invite your closest relatives and friends.
- Make the reunion enjoyable with unique themes, such as beach, carnival, camping, or fashion show.
- Include fun games such as Jenga, talent show, treasure hunt, and tug of war.
让你的家庭团聚与这些难忘的unique ideas. From nostalgic game tournaments to heartwarming storytelling nights, these activities strengthen bonds, create lasting memories, and celebrate the joy of togetherness.
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