From the archive
5 Fun Games to Play at Family Reunions
Family reunions give you a chance to catch up with relatives you haven't seen for a while. Old stories come out, someone tells one you haven't heard before, and the children get time to play with their cousins. There's often plenty to talk about before anyone thinks of organizing a game.
When people are ready for something to do, a few simple games can help everyone join in. You don't need to fill the whole day or persuade every relative to play. Keep the rules easy to explain, leave room for spectators and try one of these five ideas at your next reunion.
Charades
Is it a movie? A TV show? A song? Those are the sorts of guesses you'll hear while someone tries to act out a clue without speaking. Divide the players into two teams, then have a member of each team take a turn picking a card with a title on it. Give their teammates a minute to guess before the turn ends. Choose clues that people of different ages will know, and agree on scoring before you start. Teams don't have to be limited to two people.
Family Talent Show
Ask who would like to share a talent at the reunion. It could be a song, a poem, a dramatic scene or a few jokes. A short turn gives everyone a chance if lots of relatives want to take part. Put together a running order, or let people volunteer when they're ready. You don't need judges or prizes for this version of a talent show. Let anyone who doesn't want to perform enjoy being in the audience and cheer the others on.
Scavenger Hunt
You can make this game as small or large as your space allows. Hide a few treasures and prepare clues, keeping private rooms outside the playing area. Put younger children with a teammate who can read the hints. Before starting, agree on a time limit and explain that each treasure is worth one point. At the end, the team with the most points wins. Choose places people can reach safely; a good hiding place shouldn't require anyone to climb.
Family History Trivia
How well do you know your family history? Ask relatives to help you put together questions before the reunion, and check the answers with them. You might ask where two grandparents met, which town someone grew up in or what a cousin's first job was. Divide into teams if you'd like, and award a point for each correct answer. Mix easier questions with a few that invite a story afterwards. Keep the topics comfortable for the people involved, and let the team with the most points win.
Mad Libs
One person has a story with blanks and asks the others for words to fill them. They might need a noun, an adjective or a verb. Nobody supplying a word sees the story until all the blanks are filled. Then the reader reads it aloud, with everyone's suggestions in place. The fun comes from hearing how the unrelated words fit together. Use a Mad Libs book or make a similar story yourself, and take turns reading. You don't need to vote for a winner.
