Small families. Large families. Fur families. Work families. It doesn’t matter who you call family, getting everyone together for a reunion is the perfect opportunity to reconnect and create lasting memories. Whether you’re planning a large outdoor event or a small indoor gathering, we have plenty of activity ideas that will keep your family occupied and having fun at your next family reunion. 

Outdoor Activities

A little friendly competition never hurt anyone, right? Games and sports encourage active participation and can be a great way to engage the whole family… whether they’re playing or spectating. Here are some popular options:

Relay Races: Divide into teams or partners for different challenges like sack races, three-legged races, or egg-and-spoon races.

Tug of War: Find a big rope (or something similar) and divide the family into teams to see who can pull the rope over the line first. 

Volleyball: For the sporty families, simply set up a net, grab a volleyball, and serve, set, and spike. It’s easy to learn and can be played casually or competitively. 

Water Balloon Toss: Perfect for a hot sunny day, fill up a giant bucket of water balloons and go to town. Partner up and toss the balloons back and forth, taking a step back after each successful catch, or launch a big one over at grandma. 

Arts and Crafts

It’s always good to have some things to keep the non-active folks occupied. Spark up the creativity and try out some of these projects:

Family Tree: Create a large family tree on a poster board and have each family member add their signature, a photo, or even a small drawing. Make this a tradition and display them year after year to see how the family has grown.

Scrapbook or Photo Album: Invite your family members to bring photographs, mementos, and notes to collect in a scrapbook or photo album. Consider setting up a photo booth or providing digital cameras to take in-the-moment photos. 

Tie-Dye: Everyone loves a little souvenir to take with them. Choose a family of colors for that particular reunion and create unique designs on t-shirts, bandanas, socks… whatever you’d like! Be sure to bring some plastic bags in case the items don’t dry in time.

Food and Cooking Activities

Food brings people together. Here are some ideas to make it the cornerstone of your gathering: 

Potluck: Send a sign up sheet out via email and invite each family to bring a dish to share. This will ensure a variety of flavors and dishes and can give everyone the chance to show off their signature dish. 

Cook-off: Maybe it’s BBQ. Maybe it’s chili. Maybe it’s pie. Whatever the specialty, organize a friendly competition that encourages everyone to bring their best dish forward. Appoint judges or let everyone vote on their favorites.

Cookie Exchange: A very popular one for holiday gatherings. Invite families to bring their favorite cookies or brownies (or both) and make sure everyone has a takeaway container. Set out the cookies and let everyone fill their takeaway containers with samples of the other desserts. 

Nature Activities

If your family reunion is held in a natural setting, take advantage of the outdoors with these ideas:

Boating: If you’re near a lake or river, consider a boating excursion. Whether you’re on a speedboat or jet ski, or you opt for kayaks, canoes, or tubes, water activities are a great way to get some sun and have some fun. 

Camping: Pitch the tent, unroll the sleeping bags, and light up the fire for a night of outdoor fun. Pack the marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers for S’mores and sharpen up your roasting stick. 

Conclusion

Every family has a different dynamic. But planning a family reunion is a special opportunity to bring your loved ones together to reconnect and create lasting memories. Whether you’re the outdoorsy family, the crafty family, or just the up-for-anything family, these activities will help you create an unforgettable experience filled with fun, laughter, and love.

Kadi McDonald is a freelance writer, marketing strategist, and proud Cleveland sports fan.