Over the last few generations, people are moving more often. Making the times when kids grow up next door to their cousins and down the street from the grandparents seem like a lifetime ago. With the distance between families, family reunions become a bigger deal—but they can also be awkward. By introducing some of these games for family reunions, you’ll be able to develop some deeper relationships and shake off some of the awkwardness of meeting Aunt Sally for the first time.
We do love family reunions for the great opportunity the give us for taking photos, making memories, and creating the bonds that make that togetherness so special. We also love spending time explaining the relationships, sharing the funny family stories, and looking over photos as we explain to our kids about family history.
If you’re looking for some ideas on games for family reunions to create those memories you’ll laugh about for the next few generations, check out this list. We have rounded up a few of our favorite games that will keep the whole crew in stitches.
Keep this in mind as you set up your games try to mix up family units and age groups. There’s nothing more entertaining than watching the adults become children again as they compete for family pride.
Games for Family Reunions
Three-Legged Race
Three-Legged Race Supplies
- Tie Bands
- Course Markers [cones, buckets or string]
Three-legged races build teamwork and create a challenge that requires good communication skills. When selecting teams consider either matching by height or pairing adults with children. Adults that tower over their three-legged partners are often more entertaining, but might result in someone competitive scooping up their little partner and sprinting to the finish for the win.
Determine before starting how far competitors will run and mark the area appropriately. You can use string or buckets to indicate the end of the race. Provide each participant with a band to keep their legs together and sit back to watch the chaos ensue.
Egg Race
Egg Race Supplies
- Spoons
- Eggs
- Course markers [cones, buckets or string]
Egg races are a fun way to see who has the best balance and who is the most patient. While using real eggs is entertaining, it can be a mess to deal with later. Plastic egg and spoon kits can save you clean up time and laundry later.
Set up the course with string or other markers and provide each participant with a spoon and an egg. This game can be played as an individual or in teams, requiring a careful handoff without the egg hitting the ground.
Bouncy Relay
Bouncy Relay Supplies
- Bouncer Balls
- Course Markers [cones, buckets or string]
Pair together groups of 4 to 6, depending on the number of participants and provide them each with a handled bouncer ball. You could use regular oversized play balls, but these are a bit easier to handle.
Set up the course using string or other markers and have each team divide into two groups. Place one group on each side of the course. Participants will bounce from one side of the course to the other and the fastest team will be named the winner.
Tug of War
Tug of War Supplies
Tug of war can be a game that might get out of hand quickly if you have too many competitive attitudes in the family. Use caution when determining who gets to play.
Divide into two groups and tie a knot in the middle of the rope. Using course markers, mark 4 feet on each side of the knot when the rope is laid straight. These markers are the locations where the knot must pass for a winner to be named. Mud is often used to show the middle marker, but likely one team will end up a mess if you choose to go this route.
Place one group on each side of the rope and let the fun begin. Whoever can pull the rope to the opposite side is the winner.
Hula Hoop Challenge
Hula Hoop Challenge Supplies
It’s always fun to see who the best hula hooper in the family is, and it’s never who you expect. Provide each participant a hoop and use the timer to determine who can hoop the longest. As you narrow it down, try adding more hoops to increase the level of difficulty.
Water Balloon Toss
The only supply you need for this game is water balloons! Pair up your participants and have them stand in two lines approximately five feet apart. When everyone is ready, each team will toss a single balloon back and forth between them.
With each successful toss, take one step backward. Whoever is the furthest apart before the balloon pops are the winner.
Marshmallow Challenge
Marshmallow Challenge Supplies
- Mini Marshmallows
- Large Marshmallows
- Uncooked Spaghetti
- Timer
After a day out in the sun, switching to inside games for family reunions can be a great way to wind down the evening. This fun game is a great way to see how innovative everyone is.
Divide into teams of 4 participants and provide each team with 20 mini marshmallows, 20 spaghetti strands, and 1 large marshmallow. Participants need to build a tower capable of standing on its own and holding the large marshmallow aloft using only the supplies they’ve received.
Set a timer for 15 mins. At the end of the timer, whoever’s town is the tallest is named the winner.
Red Light, Green Light
This game requires no supplies, just an open space to play. One person lines up on the opposite side of the field from everyone else and turns away from them. Yelling “green light” lets everyone else start running towards the single-player. When the singe plater turns and yells “red light,” everyone else must freeze. Failing to freeze sends you back to the starting line. The first person who tags the single-player wins and then becomes the caller.
As you play these games for family reunions, don’t forget to take photos and videos! It’ll be fun to look back on how much fun you all had later on.
WANT TO READ MORE?
Looking for more game ideas? Check out our backyard family game night ideas.
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