| A family reunion is a where family members can | | | | So when the game host say, "Bring me a red |
| renew bonds and ties, meet new additions to the | | | | handkerchief," the first one who brings it to him gets |
| family, keep updated on each others' lives, and simply | | | | a price. The only rule here is that participants are not |
| have fun. If you have been tasked to plan the next | | | | allowed to get the items from their immediate family |
| family reunion, one of your goals may be how to | | | | members (parents and siblings). The items must |
| make the event as fun and enjoyable as possible for | | | | come from their other relatives. This particular |
| everyone. | | | | icebreaker is wonderful way to initiate mingling among |
| A family reunion is one big party, so you want to | | | | family members. |
| keep the boring-o-meter down throughout th event. | | | | 3. Bring Out the Games! |
| But how exactly can you keep everyone entertained | | | | Most family reunions last more than a day, with some |
| and high on the fun? Here are a few suggestions. | | | | requiring overnight stays. You may have activities like |
| 1. Theme It! | | | | nature hiking, day trips to the city or dance night all |
| Get your guests all psyched up weeks or even | | | | planned out, but you still need to keep everyone |
| months before the family reunion by coming up with | | | | entertained in between walks, meals and dances. |
| a family reunion theme. You can have a family | | | | Young and old can engage in some friendly family |
| reunion with a Hawaiian theme. When you send out | | | | reunion games such as "Generation Sack Race," |
| the invitations, let your guests know about the | | | | "Family Tug of War" and "Musical Chairs." |
| theme so they can come in their best Hawaiian | | | | In "Generation Sack Race," pair younger family |
| get-ups. Just think about how excited your guests | | | | members with the older ones. For instance, pair |
| will be when they arrive at the venue and they are | | | | 12-year old Billy with his Uncle Ronnie. Together, they |
| greeted with a lei placed around their necks by | | | | stand inside a sack and race hopping to the finish line. |
| ushers and usherettes dressed in traditional Hawaiian | | | | In "Family Tug of War," have two families pull on |
| costume and the place is decorated with a tropical | | | | opposite ends of a thick rope. Make it challenging and |
| theme -- a tiki hut or tiki bar, drinks served in cups | | | | exciting by having them tug with a puddle of mud or |
| and glasses made from coconut husks, tropical fruits | | | | water between them. The family who pulls the other |
| one the buffet table. There are plenty of themes out | | | | family into the mud wins. |
| there that you can use for your own family reunion. | | | | In "Musical Chairs," have the older family members sit |
| Get online and check out the various family reunion | | | | on chairs arranged in a circle while younger family |
| web sites for more ideas. | | | | members go around the chairs while the music plays. |
| 2. Get the Icebreakers Out Pronto! | | | | The chairs should be one less than the number of |
| As soon as your guests arrive at the family reunion | | | | younger family members in the game. When the |
| venue, get the icebreakers out! There's bound to be | | | | music stop, the young ones scramble to sit on an |
| guests who aren't familiar with the rest of the family. | | | | older member's lap. A younger member gets |
| Prevent your guests from feeling uncomfortable by | | | | eliminated. When the music resumes, one chair and |
| introducing a few icebreakers like "Human BINGO," "I | | | | one older family member have been removed. The |
| Am a Turtle" and "Bring Me" before the family | | | | game ends when one of the two remaining younger |
| reunion officially starts. Consider this part of the | | | | family members sits on the lap of the remaining older |
| event as sort of a warm up; you are getting the | | | | family member. |
| guests comfortable and relaxed. | | | | There are plenty of other games you can use for |
| In "Human BINGO," each bingo card contains certain | | | | your family reunion. In fact, you can put your own |
| traits and characteristics of someone in the family. It | | | | twist on some of the games so that they become |
| can be an eye color, something accomplished or a | | | | relevant to the event. For more game ideas, visit |
| physical characteristic (e.g., mole on the face, hair | | | | some family reunion ideas. |
| dyed red, long hair, etc.). Give each family member a | | | | 4. Entertainment to the Max! |
| bingo card and every one looks for family members | | | | Keep everyone's energy level up by bringing in some |
| that correspond to the traits and characteristic in | | | | entertainment. Hire a live band or hold a dance party |
| their card and have them sign the card. The first | | | | if you are holding the family reunion in a hotel, pavilion |
| person to complete his or her bingo card wins. This | | | | or function hall. You can also enlist the participation of |
| particular icebreaker is a wonderful way of helping | | | | family members themselves. Cheer up the children by |
| new family members acquainted with other members | | | | doing a puppet show, holding an afternoon of arts |
| of the family. | | | | and crafts just for them, or doing a storytelling |
| In "I Am A Turtle," the young family members draw | | | | session. If there are singers and dancers in the family, |
| a thing that represents them. It can be an animal or | | | | have them do their own numbers. |
| an object. The older family members then try to | | | | You can make your family reunion fun, exciting and |
| explain how the animal or object drawn relates to | | | | memorable from the time guests arrive to the time |
| the young member. This particular icebreaker is a | | | | you all bid your goodbyes. You have plenty of |
| wonderful way to connect the younger and older | | | | resources available at your disposal; don't hesitate to |
| generations. | | | | check them out, especially family reunion websites. |
| In "Bring Me," the young family members do what | | | | Good luck! |
| the game host tells them to find for and bring to him. | | | | |