Fun Ideas for Family Gatherings By Jerry A. Chenault, Urban Regional Extension Agent, Lawrence County

Family gatherings such as reunions can be boring or wasted opportunities for family members who rarely see each other or don't know each other well. Even when they do know each other, the kids often want to do more than chat, reminisce in the shade, and eat lunch. One of the main reasons to have a reunion is to spend time socially with as many family members as possible. For greater interaction, it helps to organize activities where people talk to each other. Although the summer months are over, here are some ideas you can adapt with your family during the upcoming holiday season.

Storytelling
Sit around in a group and tell stories, preferably embarrassing ones about each other. The best story wins! Kids love to hear stories about their parents. Don't forget to let the kids tell stories too.

Family Video
Create a video for memories that will last for years to come. Recording family members in activities, stories or interviews, will make great features for reunions to come. Inform family members ahead of time so they can prepare their thoughts and memories. Ask interview questions about reunions "way back when" or what life was like when they were a child. This makes wonderful family history that might otherwise be lost to future generations.

Kid "Kapturing" Activities
Kiddie pools, coloring books, crayons, and other crafts help to keep kids busy while grown-ups visit long lost cousins. A craft table covered with butcher's paper and supplied with glue, construction paper, round-tip scissors, markers, or water soluble paint is a great recipe for kids to have fun.

Photo Activities
Don't forget to get everyone together for a group photo, and make sure after it is developed that you identify each person. Another idea is to announce ahead of time and have every person bring a baby photo of themselves with their name printed on the back. Have everyone come to the display table of photos and try to guess who each picture is. Lots of fun! You can even make it a written contest with prizes.

Family Tree
Make a large family tree chart and tape it to a wall. Your family members will learn and have a great time filling it in. This will be a lasting memento as well.

Auction Time!
Family members bring items to be auctioned off to help pay for next year's gathering. Items should be appropriate for all ages.

Family Memorabilia
The whole family can work together to build a display of items brought in for this table, such as old photographs and family paraphernalia. Ask everyone to bring an item for the display. A similar idea is to create a time capsule of items which represent themselves or their family. Choose a date when the capsule will be opened and then store it someplace safe until then 10-50 years later. Waiting 50 years to open it would be interesting, but many family members won't be there to see it!

Conclusion
Planning fun activities during family gatherings over the holidays or during the warmer months can make lasting memories the whole family will enjoy regardless of their age.

Family-reunion.com. (2006). Mr. Spiffy keeps people busy. Retrieved October 8, 2008.

Lad, K. (June 3, 2008). Family reunion games and ideas. Buzzle.com. Retrieved October 8, 2008.

The Dollar Stretcher.com. (2008). Family reunion fun part 2. Retrieved October 8, 2008.

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