Excellent Conversation Questions for Family Reunion PlannersThere were excellent conversation questions for family reunion planners posted during our live question and answer session on Facebook today (June 1, 2011). Planning a family reunion? Maybe you have some of the same questions.I’ve compiled a list of all the questions and their associated answers into categories for easy reading. As a group, we addressed 46 questions that fell into 7 basic categories:
Excellent Conversation Questions: Part 1
How do you get people to attend? To go along with this, how do you arrange the big event around everyone's schedules? - My family loves to dance so we are having a DJ we are doing a dance. - Listen to any feedback about what people liked and didn’t like about prior reunions and try to accommodate that. Easier said than done, I know. Also, being able to attend financially can be an issue. If there is a particular group that would have a hard time traveling, hold the reunion close to them. Fun themes and personal invitations always help, too. - Having activities that everyone enjoys - Have something for all age groups - As I mention is my event planning guide book, “Select activities everyone will enjoy, from the little kids to the elders of the family.” Assign each family member to a department that is compatible with their particular skill set and interests. Getting everyone involved in the planning process is the means to getting them there. Get excited, excitement is contagious. Talk it up, talk is viral. Ask for suggestions, suggestions are proactive and interactive. - Do a survey. Let them tell you what they are interested in. - We picked the closest weekend to my grandmother's birthday so everyone would remember to save that time for the reunion. How often is 'normal' to have a family reunion? - We have one every year. I'm not sure what "normal" would be. - I don't believe there is a set time that you should have a reunion, it's up to the family. My family has one every two years. - Growing up, my grandparents would do one every three years. - We have one every year the 2nd weekend in July - My in-laws have one every year. My grandparents go every 3 years because we are more spread out and there are a lot of us! - Depends on your family and how often they want to have it. - I would say once every two to three years. But it depends on the family. - We do it every 2 years. - I think it depends on your family...when we started it was every five years...then my oldest relative wanted it every 2 years...and now we have them every year I'm having trouble getting my generation to show up at the reunions. How can I get more 25-35 year olds to show up?? I've tried reaching out but it's not working. - Probably offer more events geared to your age group, that might help, or get some of them involved with the planning and ideas. - This is a tough one. For our upcoming reunion we will be trying to ignite the value of family. That’s why we are devising all types of activities that we can all do and be interested in.....I would reach out to the members of that group and do a survey, like survey monkey. Keep it short. Ask what would get them excited to participate and what types of things they would like to do. - Don't give up on reaching out to them. This will take some time. Are you getting them involved in the planning process? I would suggest you get to know their skill sets and things they love to do in groups. Find out their hobbies, talents and past-times. Some can sing, other play instruments, others cook well, other bake. Some are historians, other good with research. Some like the outdoors, nature hikes and fishing, others like to travel. Include these activities in the program and itinerary so long as they are appropriate to the occasion. You get the idea. - Do they have kids? I fall in this age group and my motivation for going is to let my kids have time to interact with their cousins. - I am getting them involved in the program. I am asking one young nephew to read a poem, and one to do a skit, another young relative to be on the welcoming committee. - I've found that year-round communication has helped us. It helps to keep up with them on Facebook. I've become sort of the family communicator, and whenever we have family prayer requests, announcements, babies, surgeries... whatever (!), they'll send me an email and I'll send out a group message to the whole family. With the family spread out all over the country, it keeps us close. And that tends to keep people involved in family. I also email reunion notices and make up a family newsletter (mostly regarding reunion items) that I send out. I keep up a family directory, too, with photos, names, addresses, emails, cells, and everyone's relationship to the 'oldsters'. Doing this all year keeps the reunion not THAT far from everyone's mind. And it's been a joy to keep in touch with people I might not normally talk to very often! - Send the invite to the children and have them invite parents! Another thing that I will share with everyone is this - we do a planning call every first Saturday of the month. To accomplish this, we use www.freeconferencecall.com. Works like a charm! How do you determine who should plan the family reunion? What if not everyone agrees? - You could take turns hosting and planning the festivities. See who volunteers and go from there. - We have volunteers at the reunion. If more than 1 person/group volunteers; we take a vote. - I am usually nominated because I have done it the most, and they know it will get done with out a lot of help. But I suggest voting on nominations given. - Some families with long-time reunion traditions take turns by way of rotation among the more experienced event planners. Family members with less experience are assigned to assist the veteran event planners and work closely with the planning group or committee. Committees may take a vote if there is a need to rotate the chairperson. Over time two or more are groomed to take the torch of event planning when needed. A part of the training process is taking the time to document the planning process, a family reunion planning guide, if you will, from which the newly appointed event planners can follow. When training the newbies (pardon the pun) use the guide much like an instructor uses a training manual or seminar textbook that way they won’t miss a thing. - My brother and I decided to take the bull by the horns for the first one. Hoping that someone else will take over in 2 years. - There are definitely some advantages to having the same person plan every year. You can learn by experience.
- What if not everyone agrees? There will always be someone who disagrees with this and that. To offset disagreements it would be best to form an initial planning group or committee. The more experienced event planners should be involved in this process. Take a vote as to who will serve as chairperson. If this is the first reunion event, family members tend to select the one who took the initiative to call everyone together, organize the initial meeting, pass out the worksheets and provide some very tasty refreshments. - In the past, the people in the host city are the planners. We vote, majority rules! :) - Have to be a valid reason not to agree, this is a big job. Those that don't agree, automatically become nominated - I would not get tired if I received the support needed for it to be the way it should. I ask for help but get the comments of let me know what you need, I want help so volunteer for something. I have two children, one with ED and and single, work full time, so can't think for more than me sometimes. - I am doing this mostly by myself. I get criticism, and I could care less. I assigned relatives to committees, like food commitee, welcoming committtee. That way most folks feel obligated. How do you establish a reunion tradition and get family members to count on and plan for the reunion each time? - We hold a meeting during the reunion and open the floor to get volunteers for the next reunion. - Find activities that everyone enjoyed and find ways to incorporate them every time. - When considering the theme, activities and location, get everyone involved. Include activities everyone will enjoy. Be open to suggestions and solutions. Those who make the more practical suggestions should be considered when assigning volunteers to head up various departments. Regarding major departments, consider keeping the same volunteers for each event. Remember to give kudos to volunteers at every opportunity, even mentioning them in the closing program acknowledgements and newsletter. Help those who may have a bit of a struggle preparing and attending. Give advance notice regarding the event and activities and send out updates periodically. Give good clear location directions as well. - The tradition has always been to host every other year, so I have personally kept that up, maybe not including all but doing something. I made a family tree back in 2001 and we are updating this year. So I personally am taking on keeping the tradition and memories alive. - I think you have to figure out what "your" family values....Families are so disconnected these days, with everyone spread out across the country.
How many people do you have attend your family reunion? - for my husband's family, we have had nearly 100 - not know yet, Do I suppost to know before? - Not sure about this years yet, but in the last few years we've averaged about 75. - 75-100ppl but not all family - 26 - 100-175 - were hoping for 150 plus We are having a hard time getting people excited and invovled. We have family all over and have tried to link up everyone on Facebook but can’t get them to respond. We've been posting pics and are building showers and baths at the old homestead. We will have a zipline for young and old and LOTS of games. Still no responses. Any ideas? - I’d start giving stuff away, like for the person the post more pictures will get a 8x10 pic - It may be that some need a little help getting online and entering the social network. Until then send out invitational flyers initially. Make phone calls and visit others. You may know which family members tend to communicate most with others. Ask one to encourage the other. Consider giving yourself plenty of time for planning. Some begin preparing two years in advance. This will give you time to draw them all in on the planning process.
How has your experience been planning your family reunion? Very Positive, Somewhat positive, okay, not great. - I was the first in my family to start a reunion...it has been great...glad I did it - Okay. It's been great fun getting things done. Kind of disappointed by the responses from other family members though. - All of the above. - It is rewarding, if you have the right mix of folks to work with. If not, it can be trying at best and at the end you will be asking yourself if you would do it again.....But of course you would, because you love your family.
Excellent Conversation Questions: Part 2 What is a good way to collect funds? - Paypal is good. You can also ask people to send checks/money orders, if they don't want to pay online. Anybody using Paypal to collect the reunion fees? - My sister is. It's worked out great for both of us - I am it works great! The only thing I don't like is the fee. - Just make sure you select the "personal" option so that neither party has to pay for the transaction. - I have been and it works great. Also, keep in mind your monthly limit when collecting funds - We eliminated fees. Last year we began having a silent auction to pay for the following year's reunion. We totally covered this year's expenses. We're going to start doing that annually. There were all kinds of things people brought to auction. All the way from re-gifted items up to quilts. And everything you can think of in between! It was fun and there were some good-natured little rivalries going. Does anyone have a work it off program that they have used for family members who cannot afford the reunion cost? That they would be to work off the cost during the family reunion, by doing support activities? - My husband's family has done this. It is a great program that enables everyone a chance to get to the reunion without finances becoming a main concern. - Anything that they can do or provide that will save costs is a great way to contribute. Maybe they know someone who will let you use something you would have had to rent otherwise. - Many families simply ask them to help out in planning and organizing the event where man-power is needed. Others enter an “attend now pay-later agreement.” - You could also throw an auction to offset costs for the whole reunion. Everyone can bring items to contribute to the auction. Every year my mother-in-law’s jam is a hot item. Everybody can find something to contribute, even golf balls carved to look like faces get a lot of bids at our reunions. Those who can afford to pay more, do. They get something in return as well. - Make a Family cook book, and sell it, with proceeds going towards next year’s reunion. How do you balance the family vacations with the family reunions. Aka: your own individual vacations vs. extended family? - I believe most of my family combine the two. Also we have a set date every 2 years that we hold our reunion so family know when it's coming. If you have it every couple of years vs every year you might not run into the problem of it getting in the way of family vacations. - You could combine them. Come early or stay late at the location of the reunion. That way you get some individual family time. - I would set up an account for each and contribute to each separately or maybe even try and combine vacation and reunion to minimize your travel cost Is there any organization that will provide financial assistance for these types of family reunion events? - I called the local, Safeway, and Walmart, and they said they only help non-profits. - There is no outside help that I'm aware of. You just have to start fundraising for the next year, by selling t-shirts, CDs, 50/50 tickets, anything you can think of to gain some profit for the next event.
Anyone know of some good fundraisers for next year’s reunion? We’ve already done t-shirts, CDs, baskets. - I like to try and incorporate family history. What about a black and white framed photo of an ancestor? - You could auction off several Custom Family Tree Art prints. We can also print your tree on other products, like T-shirts, tote bags and more. - The photo would be a great idea. I just started gathering my mother-in-laws old pictures to make a family tree book and there are some fantastic ones that I think people would love to have. If they want more than just the picture, you could auction off a book about the family. - There are so many good ideas here. I would consider something in the keepsake category. Make a quilt using family reunion t-shirts of the past. Print upcoming special occasion greeting cards and sell them in a basket. Make a family reunion memory booklet. Get the family artist to paint or draw a portrait of beloved members. Have a bake sale on the same day. Auction a keepsake journal (if appropriate). Have a meeting and establish an esteemed heirloom complete with official papers of authenticity to be passed on to the highest bidder. In addition, folks love walking away with a whole pie or cake. - I like the photo idea too especially pictures of deceased relatives
What do you do when just one family branch doesn't want to participate in a particular reunion activity because of associated cost? Split the total cost between the remaining family branches and exclude the one family? - You could have some group activities that are free/inexpensive and then if there are things that are more expensive, families can participate as they wish. While it's fun to be around everyone all of the time, it's not completely necessary to be together 100% of the time. - Personally, I don't like to use that word, "exclusion" when referencing family. It's all about including everyone. With money being a real issue for many of our family members, you must find another activity or a way to offset the cost. - You can have raffles, bake sales, car washes, etc., to help with the cost. - If that one family is not coming to the reunion at all, then they should not have to pay for anything. If they ARE coming, then they should have to pay their share - Throw an auction! Get some items, like prints of your Custom Family Tree Art, and auction them off to help with the costs. From carved canes, to bottled peaches, everyone can bring items to contribute to the auction. - I am planning on having activities each day that don't cost money for everyone to participate in and then give other people information on what else is available in the area if individual families want to go and do things on their own. - 1. First determine if cost is really the issue. It may be that one or two from the other branch just want to be more involved in the planning process. 2. Present less costly alternatives that are more local to the other branch. 3. Try to reduce costs to the inclusion of the other branch. 4. Throw a fundraiser to raise money to reduce fees. 5. If all else fails encourage and assist the other branch in planning their own event on a different date. Invite a select representative number of family members from your branch to attend the event of the other branch. You may even decide to take a photo or video giving your branch the opportunity to say hi and well wishes on the branches family reunion event. A gift may also be presented to the elders of the branch. - Depending on what it is, I think I would consider a less expensive alternative. - I’m having that issue, because children older than 13 are paying $35 same as adults, but I am not marking anything up, so we opened the reunion to others, and are make arrangements with the others to help buy the food in exchange for lower rate - Wow, don't we want everyone to participate? That is what makes this event so rich. I would try to talk to that family personally, not calling them out, and asking if there is some way that they can help by supporting with work, folding papers, working the welcome table, etc.
How do you handle people who RSVP'd and made hotel reservations, but did not pay the registration fee? They also want to show up to the catered functions (picnic, banquet, etc.) I'm thinking of handing out wristbands (the type you can't take off without tearing) to paid attendees. - At the welcome party, everyone had to check in. - If you have a finance committee, they can place the phone calls, to let them know that they had not paid. They may have forgotten? - I love the idea of wristbands. We sometimes include meal tickets in the welcome packages. Who pays for the invitations and other costs of reunion planning? - It's included in our dues - Normally the 'host / planner' of the reunion. Some family members do donate to the cause. - I initially did an e-vite invitation to send by email, then also mailed a hard copy to those who don't have or read email. Since this is our first one, I didn't mind picking up the cost of getting things started. - Once it is determined that a reunion will be had, and the planning group/committee is formed, a bank account should be opened and a treasurer appointed to oversee accounts. All dues collected should be put in the account. From that point all purchases should be documented and receipts kept for reimbursement. Initial funds for the treasury can be collected by holding a fundraiser. There should also be a cash-on-hand provided by the treasurer for small purchases. - I personally make them, very creative, I made a logo using clip art, and either used Facebook, email, or our own reunion website to get word, updates out - We factor that into our planning costs. Keep a running total and get your money back. It’s one thing to fund it to get it started, but you cannot carry the load. - I made mine on my computer. I purchased beautiful envelopes from a neighbor that works for a paper supply store.
Excellent Conversation Questions: Part 3 What do families usually do for door prizes, freebies and give-aways? - My sister-in-law makes soaps at home, so she made up a bunch of distinctive soaps for all the guests. - Our customers have given prints of their family tree as well as notebooks, tote bags and other products with their family tree on them. Some families even auction these items off to help pay for the cost of the reunion. - It's always fun when things are personalized and have meaning. - I am doing family calendar with pictures of generations of family members. They are small calendars, with magnet backing. - I used to do ladies hat parties, and would ask the department stores for perfume samples. Someone mentioned contacting local business for key chains. Also, I am making family tree magnets on my computer, and printing family reunion poems on nice paper, and tie with a ribbon. - My son drew a picture of his great grandparents, and framed it as one of our prizes this year. If you have a family member that is very talented, put them to work, then the prize is more meaningful. - I usually make a family tree booklet. Have also done t-shirts, caps. - We have had family members pick things up from their state to bring to the reunion. Some may find freebies, others may pay a little for the items. - Last year my cousin made key chains with family members' pictures on them, and had tickets for drawings. I think just about everyone ended up with one, and it was fun trading pictures. I'm looking for freebies to include in the welcome packages. Any ideas? - Key chains with the family name and year on it - Freebies from free websites, such as dealcrown.com and twistedbranches.com. - Visit your Chamber of Commerce, Hospitality Groups, local Convention & Visitors Bureaus, Colleges and Universities. - A copy of the last family reunion photo - Photo album - Family tree magnets - You can create a lot of things on Vistaprint.com. On many items you just have to pay shipping if you have the right coupon code. - Leaflets with family information printed from ancestry.com Any ideas for awards time at the family reunion? - I think anytime is great, it just has to be a time when everyone will be together. - We do awards on the second day after dinner - http://strawberrypearlstudios.blogspot.com/2011/01/countdown-blocks-revisited.html I made these for volleyball awards, but I could easily tailor them for your family reunion. - The night of the big dinner
Excellent Conversation Questions: Part 4
What resources are there to print the family tree? I took the time to create mine in power point, but want it professionally printed in poster format. - You could always take it to your local FedEx Kinko's or copy store. I, personally, recommend Heritage Makers because you have complete control over the entire look and feel. Retail price for a 24x18 poster is $24.95.
In preparation for the Family Reunion in July, we are interested in doing a Vertical Family Tree at the Banquet Conference on Saturday and I am struggling on the best method to do this which is visible to everyone as they walk around and place their names under the appropriate family member. The Family Tree will be based off of my Great-Great Parents who had 11 children, of which only 8-9 still have present day descendants. Any ideas you’ve tried at your reunion? We do want persons to see the Family Tree posted on the wall. They would place their name under one of the 8-9 siblings. This visual, I believe, gives persons the understanding of the many branches under a family tree. - We could create Custom Family Tree Art with all the names that can be displayed at the reunion. You could even give everyone a copy. - What kind of venue are you in? You could do it the old fashioned way... with an overhead projector, project an image of a tree onto the wall covered w/ paper or perhaps a large sheet. Trace the tree. Put the projector away. Label each of the branches and then give each family member a leaf w/ their name that they can place on the tree. - I am using Ancestry.com. This upcoming reunion I will be producing leaflets that will be included in the goodie bags.
How can we incorporate our family history into our reunion? - You could play a number of “who belongs with who” games and use the family tree to see if you were right. Try to arrange pictures of each family member in order, like a tree made of pictures, and see if you got everyone in the right place. This could also be done with the ancestors of the matriarch & patriarch. How well do you know where you came from? We are hoping to add puzzles soon, as well. Get several and have a race to see who knows the extended family best! - We are doing our family cook book with pictures and history of the recipes and we will have it to sell at the family reunion. - Families usually have lots of stories, have a story night and ask everyone to share one of their favorite stories or memories. Be sure to record them and then someone can put them together in a book and offer copies to anyone who wants to buy one. - Have a booklet with a family tree and games - Those "remember when" conversations are always fun. Recording it is a great idea. - We did this story telling at one of our early reunions. Siblings told on siblings and the grandchildren ate it up! - Our reunions are held every 2 years. One way we've incorporated our history is, through a slide-show. - I have researched the family census from 1910 and 1930, to get info on the area we are from, so I plan to this year use that in our reunion. My granny is starting to forget so I want to especially do this for her - I am making a CD with documents from ancestry.com - marriage licenses, census reports, military records, and passport application.
Where is the most economical place to have a family tree printed? - You could get a coupon code for a free poster sized print from vistaprint.com. - I'm a huge fan of Heritage Makers, an online personal publishing company, because you can include as many photos and as much text as you'd like and make your tree look like anything you can imagine. Pictures are my other love. http://www.photo-gifts-and-ideas.com/heritage-makers.html I painted a bare tree on a canvas and am going to have everyone put their thumbprint on it and sign their name. Do you think that will work for a sign in book/prize? - That sounds great!! I just might steal this idea. Great way to personalize the day - Sounds like a cute way to do the sign in! - Creative and most of all fun! Should draw a lot of laughs and over the years become more and more memorable. I like it! - I think we ALL might take this away with us. - I don't know about the prize part. Perhaps, giving it to the eldest? - Is someone hosting...or maybe the oldest person there - Is there a birthday on the day of the reunion? It would be a great present
Excellent Conversation Questions: Part 5 FOOD & DRINK
My reunion is in July in Ohio and our shelter does not have A/C. Any suggestions on main dishes that would be safe in the heat? - Lots of coolers. Loads of ice. Put the food table in the coolest shady spot. Keep the food covered. A little shade goes a long way keeping things on ice cooler longer. - Disposable chafing dishes will keep food safely for 4 hrs. - We are having an outdoor picnic in Orlando in August and it will be catered in a park shelter. The hot foods will be put in pans with sterno warmers to keep them hot, and cold foods will be put on ice.
- Not at all. - This year we are bringing our food plus and we will all eating everybody’s food. - I think it adds to the fun. Especially if they use popular family recipes. - I agree, pot luck dinners can go a long way cutting down expenses. In addition folks tend to bring what they like to eat. That means a lot more happy faces. Food is love. - No. A family reunion is not just one person's responsibility. I think everyone makes an effort to make it a success and hey, if all the family member has to do is bring a side dish or a dessert - I say sign me up! ;) - How you present the idea makes all the difference. It can really add to the fun if you present it with a fun theme or something. - I think that's a tough one. The host location always gets stuck with getting all that food set up, etc. Last time those that did the food missed out on the activities because they were busy in the kitchen. We had our picnic catered. No one had to worry about the setup or cleanup. It was perfect. - I don't believe it is tacky. Our upcoming reunion is being held at a park and we have invited the locals to bring side dishes/fruit to the BBQ/picnic. For me, it's a "family" reunion and everyone should be included. - At our reunions everyone brings something to eat and then we all share - We started an annual goodie bake off and winner gets a prize. We never have to worry about goodies now. This might work on sides also. Has anyone come up with or know of a great way to organize items needed for meal planning for your reunion? I started a spreadsheet but I find myself avoiding it. :) - Assign out people to fix meals & clean up too. Figure out simple things to make and you're set. - Someone has to make the assignment and follow it through. That is why we have a monthly meeting to bring all teams together. But I also sit in on all the committee meetings, to make sure that we are consistent and everyone knows the same thing. If there is someone that you can give that responsibility to that you trust, do it. - My reunion planning guidebook has a section just for that purpose. A menu form that spans across three pages. How do you handle a family member who had too much to drink and are causing a scene? - Send them to bed ASAP. - Some families are firm regarding restricting the use of alcohol at their reunion. Meaning, nada. - This is when you have to know your family. If I had a family member who got a little over the top, I would enlist the assistance of my male family members or the members of his and her family members...This has to be handled delicately because it can ruin the entire event.
What is the best way to handle cooking and meals over the course of a multi-day reunion? - simple foods ... - Use a catering service. - We are doing a 3 day. Hot dogs and hamburgers one day, roasting a pig on another and potato bar on the third. - Fresh fruits, granola bars, cheese and crackers, humus, cheese balls, sandwiches....... I'm not sure if you are speaking about a dinner or light snacks in your hospitality room or a picnic outside. - catering, potluck, fend for self - I hired my brother, a personal chef, who will with my assistance, prep, then cook both lunch and dinner at the park for us - CATER.....I want to participate in the reunion! By the time you settle in, the event is over.
Excellent Conversation Questions: Part 6
Our family is spread out all over the US. We have family in Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Texas, and Florida. How do you choose the best location to hold a reunion to be 'fair' to everyone? - Is there a location that has meaning? People are usually more willing to travel if it's somewhere with good memories. - Have a different destination and change it each year - The first priority to take into consideration are the elders of the family. How much travel can the older family members endure and still have a good refreshing time? A survey taken not so long ago stated that the most supportive reunion attendees among family members are the older ones. Most are willing to travel to see their progeny. Still it’s important to consider making the means of travel as comfortable and refreshing as possible for our elders. As discussed in my reunion planning guidebook, when family members are spread out across the states it is best to “provide several possible locations in the event planning survey.” First ask the family for suggestions regarding possible locations. Three locations will do. Next add the locations to the survey and send them out. Tally the returned surveys to determine the most desired location. - We typically choose states where family lives or somewhere in between - We usually try to meet somewhere in the middle, or rotate around the country, meeting in a different state each time. - you might also look at where the larger group of family members is located - In the city of the reunion host. We gather every two years and decide at the end of one reunion where the next one will be. - We have ours where our grandparents/parents raised us all, which was pretty much in one area. So we were lucky. - Maybe a location that is most central to everyone, or one that has the least expensive hotels, car rentals & etc.
How can you do a family reunion with family in another country and here? - I think you need some family members who live in that country to be on the planning team. You can give them the logistics, because they are there and can do the leg work. - One year have it here and the next have one in the other country. But before you start that up, I would check the pulse of the state side family members. Are they even interested in going? And are willing to make a commitment? So that all of your work does not go to waste. Then you can make a decision. - The first part of the year go to one country and the end of the year go to the other. - One year a few of our family members couldn't come so we did some online video conferencing so we could at least all visit for a while - Depending where the majority of your family lives, I would have it there, and try to have fund raisers to help with expenses. Or have one held in simulcast, and connect via internet, to say grace, toast, and introduction. What do you do if you have planned an outside event and it rains? - There isn't too much you can do about nature except, have a plan B. If you’re in a park, see if they can accommodate in the case of bad weather. Or if you are at a hotel and the event is outside, check with the hotel on a banquet room or solarium that will accommodate, too. - Always, have a plan B. Good luck and pray it doesn't rain. - Pop up canopies can add a little more shelter. We had the same problem last year. We switched to the gym at the local church. - By all means have an alternative itinerary for such occurrences. Ask the group to assemble at a dry location and make the most of it. Play indoor family oriented games they cannot resist getting involved with. This goes best when you plan for it. When the sun comes out HEAD FOR THE PARK!
Excellent Conversation Questions: Part 7 We're having an outdoor reunion. What types of games would you recommend for children ages 6 through teen? I can't really separate them into age groups, as there are not enough children. - facepainting, pinatas, balloon toss - ideas that any age group can play and enjoy. - water toss - water kickball. Any type of activity that is easy and in the hot summer, includes water, is usually a hit. - I like the old traditional games the best - Tug of War, 3 legged race, egg toss. You have to be organized and have enough of the necessary props. - a balloon relay race. - Family Fear Factor, or kickball where the bases are kiddie pools and you 'slide' into home on a slip-n-slide What types of games at a picnic can have both the children and older adults involved? - "Minute to Win It" games - We just played Family Fear Factor at a get together last week. The challenges had different levels of difficulty and 'yuckiness'. The young ones got the easy ones, and the adults got the rest. Examples: sardine with mustard, ketchup on M&M’s, sauerkraut and baby food, squirting water from a squirt gun into a cup - Family Feud In my family, when were little, we were doing the Miss Gastelum competition and I want to do it in my family reunion any ideas? - You could assign roles - participants, judges - and have a full talent contest. Have the little kids "model" dresses made from TP or newspaper. Does anyone have any great ideas for getting the young adults to engage in the family reunion events? Last year we were in Atlanta, and by the time evening came, that age group wanted to go off and party, etc. They also missed some of the daytime activities because they were sleeping in. Any thoughts? - Inviting them to oversee a particular activity (s) for 15-30 minutes and pair them with a cousin that they know and one that they may not know. If they are close in ages, believe me, they will interact. Also, if any of the young adults have small children, include games that they play together. They win as a team and that's always encouraging. - Children and young adults thrive when the feel engaged and a part of things. When they are involved in creating the itinerary and engaging activities many remain are more apt to stick around and even draw closer to older and younger family members. - Have someplace where they can swim, or be on a boat, or dance, or if all else fails, Karaoke. - I made it where there was things for my age group, like music, that both my age group and the older folks both like. Have games. Ask them to help out. There are LOTS of little kids at our family reunions. How do we make sure the kids are taken care of but still have some uninterrupted adult time, too? - Have the kids have their own section and adults but still be able to watch them - We got some local young women to come play with the kids so we could hang out together. It worked great. - We asked if there was someone who loved kids but did not mind watching them when it was adult time. I am going to give them a special gift, whether money or item still up for discussion - What we normally do for the kids is have a movie and game night. - Have some locals come do arts & crafts with the kids, or maybe have a kids movie night with locals teens in charge. - We try to schedule the kid friendly activities early in the day. This year, I'm trying a "kids only corner". Crafts, (that will be used for Saturday's picnic) coloring, etch-a sketch, balloons and pool time to wear them out before bed. - It's a good idea to plan structured events for the children. Create an activities committee headed by teenagers and young adults. Also, events that pair an adult with a child.
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