Basic Guide For A Fun Family Reunion

A family reunion is a where family members can renew bonds and ties, meet new additions to the family, keep updated on each others' lives, and simply have fun. If you have been tasked to plan the next family reunion, one of your goals may be how to make the event as fun and enjoyable as possible for everyone.

A family reunion is one big party, so you want to keep the boring-o-meter down throughout th event. But how exactly can you keep everyone entertained and high on the fun? Here are a few suggestions.

1. Theme It!

Get your guests all psyched up weeks or even months before the family reunion by coming up with a family reunion theme. You can have a family reunion with a Hawaiian theme. When you send out the invitations, let your guests know about the theme so they can come in their best Hawaiian get-ups. Just think about how excited your guests will be when they arrive at the venue and they are greeted with a lei placed around their necks by ushers and usherettes dressed in traditional Hawaiian costume and the place is decorated with a tropical theme -- a tiki hut or tiki bar, drinks served in cups and glasses made from coconut husks, tropical fruits one the buffet table. There are plenty of themes out there that you can use for your own family reunion. Get online and check out the various family reunion web sites for more ideas.

2. Get the Icebreakers Out Pronto!

As soon as your guests arrive at the family reunion venue, get the icebreakers out! There's bound to be guests who aren't familiar with the rest of the family. Prevent your guests from feeling uncomfortable by introducing a few icebreakers like "Human BINGO," "I Am a Turtle" and "Bring Me" before the family reunion officially starts. Consider this part of the event as sort of a warm up; you are getting the guests comfortable and relaxed.

In "Human BINGO," each bingo card contains certain traits and characteristics of someone in the family. It can be an eye color, something accomplished or a physical characteristic (e.g., mole on the face, hair dyed red, long hair, etc.). Give each family member a bingo card and every one looks for family members that correspond to the traits and characteristic in their card and have them sign the card. The first person to complete his or her bingo card wins. This particular icebreaker is a wonderful way of helping new family members acquainted with other members of the family.

In "I Am A Turtle," the young family members draw a thing that represents them. It can be an animal or an object. The older family members then try to explain how the animal or object drawn relates to the young member. This particular icebreaker is a wonderful way to connect the younger and older generations.

In "Bring Me," the young family members do what the game host tells them to find for and bring to him. So when the game host say, "Bring me a red handkerchief," the first one who brings it to him gets a price. The only rule here is that participants are not allowed to get the items from their immediate family members (parents and siblings). The items must come from their other relatives. This particular icebreaker is wonderful way to initiate mingling among family members.

3. Bring Out the Games!

Most family reunions last more than a day, with some requiring overnight stays. You may have activities like nature hiking, day trips to the city or dance night all planned out, but you still need to keep everyone entertained in between walks, meals and dances. Young and old can engage in some friendly family reunion games such as "Generation Sack Race," "Family Tug of War" and "Musical Chairs."

In "Generation Sack Race," pair younger family members with the older ones. For instance, pair 12-year old Billy with his Uncle Ronnie. Together, they stand inside a sack and race hopping to the finish line.

In "Family Tug of War," have two families pull on opposite ends of a thick rope. Make it challenging and exciting by having them tug with a puddle of mud or water between them. The family who pulls the other family into the mud wins.

In "Musical Chairs," have the older family members sit on chairs arranged in a circle while younger family members go around the chairs while the music plays. The chairs should be one less than the number of younger family members in the game. When the music stop, the young ones scramble to sit on an older member's lap. A younger member gets eliminated. When the music resumes, one chair and one older family member have been removed. The game ends when one of the two remaining younger family members sits on the lap of the remaining older family member.

There are plenty of other games you can use for your family reunion. In fact, you can put your own twist on some of the games so that they become relevant to the event. For more game ideas, visit some family reunion ideas.

4. Entertainment to the Max!

Keep everyone's energy level up by bringing in some entertainment. Hire a live band or hold a dance party if you are holding the family reunion in a hotel, pavilion or function hall. You can also enlist the participation of family members themselves. Cheer up the children by doing a puppet show, holding an afternoon of arts and crafts just for them, or doing a storytelling session. If there are singers and dancers in the family, have them do their own numbers.

You can make your family reunion fun, exciting and memorable from the time guests arrive to the time you all bid your goodbyes. You have plenty of resources available at your disposal; don't hesitate to check them out, especially family reunion websites. Good luck!