First off, before you begin your itinerary of family reunion games, consider just how many people will be at your family reunion? Twenty? Thirty? Even more? The size of the party will provide a good barometer for the activities. But no matter how many people are in attendance, having a guest book for family members to sign and write comments in is always a great way to capture memories. It also provides an easy method of organizing contact information for everyone so they are up to date. Especially for second and third generation members that are far away. The guest book has everything in one place; anyone that wants to go leaf through it before they depart the reunion will be able to jot down any numbers, e-mail addresses or postal codes that they need.
On a more exciting note regarding family reunion games is the family reunion scavenger hunt! This is a fun variation the standard scavenger hunt. But here, the search is for family information! Kids especially seem to enjoy this game, as it really gets them in tough with their roots. Before the reunion, gather family information. Then type up a list of questions regarding the family history and special events. Let players search for the answers in teams throughout the day -- then grade the completed questionnaires for a prize. Here are some examples. There are certainly a lot more questions than just these to be considered:
-How did Grandpa meet Grandma?
-Which relatives entered the United States via Ellis Island?
-Who traveled the farthest to attend the Reunion?
-Which relative has the most children?
-Who is the oldest? Who is the Youngest?
Family reunion games can include watching old family movies. But watching old movies can be like looking at old photo albums. Interest can wane pretty quickly. However, if you plan on going this route, when preparing the list of attendees for your reunion, ask each member to send in a videotape of them during their every day life. Ideally, once you get all your tapes together, you'll want to edit everything onto on tape or CD. Photo's can work just as well as old family movies, but can be time consuming as you need to shoot tape of the photos.
Or consider scanning the photos to create a power point presentation complete with sound effects and music. These movies will be the highlight of the reunion! And will be a sought after keepsake.
Some family reunion games aren't really games per se. Each family has a favorite dish that they make or have made traditionally over the years. So consider contacting everyone before the reunion, and ask them to submit their favorite "family favorite". These recipes can then be compiled into a cookbook, then bound and printed, with copies handed out at the reunion. Obviously you'll want to split the cost with family members.
Other family reunion ideas can include a Reunion Scrapbook. The younger kids will certainly enjoy this activity. Have them capture memorable reunion moments with a digital camera. In addition, they can interview the guests and write down funny stories and quotes and then compile them into a scrapbook. Everyone can look at it, and then bring it along to future reunions. Again, copies can be made as long as the cost isn't prohibitive.
And what family reunion games would be complete without the addition of Certificates and Awards for all the attendees? Families often have fun with the idea of giving out humorous "awards" for things that happen at reunions. These awards can be hand made and then filled out on site at the reunion. If your family reunion games include a talent show or talent contest than you'll have ample opportunity to hand out awards.
Talent shows can be a lot of fun. Let family members showcase their singing abilities or lack there of. Family reunion playing of instruments or sports can also round out the day. In fact family reunion playing flag football can be memorable in and of itself.
The memories as the saying goes, will last a lifetime. Or at least until the next family reunion.