Planning a family reunion for your blended family? It’s a fantastic way to strengthen your family relationships, and we’ve got some tips to help you navigate the process.
When you’re bringing together a blended family – the kids, parents, spouses, step-families, and everyone else – there’s a lot to think about!
We took a look at the family reunion planning process, and identified 10 areas of consideration to help you plan a low-stress family reunion for your blended family.
1. Planning a Blended Family Reunion? Give Yourself Extra Time
A family reunion already requires months of planning and brainstorming, and lots of clear communication and logistics planning. We usually recommend at least 6 months, if not a year, of planning time for a standard family reunion. However, when planning a reunion for your blended family, you’ll want to allocate just a little extra time to plan.
As each blended family has multiple household schedules to work with, as well as different parenting styles, you’ll need that extra time to communicate with all decision makers about the family reunion date and logistics. This will require transparent conversations and a little extra time and sensitivity in case members of the family have concerns.
You’ll also need to coordinate multiple schedules for your family reunion.
Active Communication is Key to a Blended Family Reunion
It’s a best practice to start these schedule conversations early for your blended family reunion. Some family custody agreements require that both parents sign off vacation planning, or out-of-state traveling. You’ll likely need to get a few dates as reunion options, and get all parents on board.
Once you coordinate with everyone, you can lock in a date for your blended family reunion!
2. Communicate the Family Reunion Date
Once you get approval from all parties in your blended family, get the reunion date on the calendar!
Send a “save the date” in the mail, create your event in Reunacy, and send calendar invites for digital calendars.
Many family reunions happen during the spring and summer, or during the holidays. It’s always good to factor in school vacations so younger generations can attend.
3. Be An Open-Minded and Proactive Communicator
After you figure out the reunion date, you’ll want to start planning logistics, and this is where clear communication becomes absolutely crucial.
Key logistics conversations include budget and financial contributions, where everyone will stay, as well as making decisions about food and meals. Just like any other event, communication is absolutely key when planning a blended family reunion.
As you continue the discussions and planning phase for your blended family reunion, you might notice that certain members in the family are feeling a little extra anticipation or nervousness, and that is normal. Blended families can often carry complex emotions due to family history.
Your blended family reunion planning process should always be approached with sensitivity and care.
Focus on Solutions and Be Sensitive
When planning your blended family reunion, be prepared to hear all sides and ideas, and to perhaps compromise on certain elements of your reunion.
For example, one side of your blended family might prefer a casual potluck in a park, while the other side wants to host a formal catered event. Finding a middle ground that respects everyone’s ideas and preferences is key to a successful blended family reunion.
One idea you can try is to send a pre-reunion survey or questionnaire to collect your family’s event ideas, as well as concerns. Also, set up casual conversations to anyone who is expressing concern. Take this proactive approach as you plan your blended family reunion.
Remember – the purpose of a family reunion is about building relationships and connecting with loved ones. By carefully considering the emotional landscape, you can create a blended family reunion that strengthens relationships and creates positive memories for everyone involved.
4. Choose a Family Reunion Venue that Works for Everyone
You want your family reunion location to be easily accessible and fun. Don’t overcomplicate it!
Pick a city closest to the majority of the family, or a spot in the middle. Research nearby hotels if family members are traveling in and see if you can get a block of rooms for a good price.
If you’re planning your family reunion for summer of 2025, now is the time to start thinking ahead. Pick your family reunion location early so family members from all sides of your blended family can make travel arrangements. Your family will thank you!
5. What’s Your Family Reunion Schedule?
A clear schedule (and plans for delicious food!) is key to a smooth and enjoyable family reunion. The schedule will keep things moving and reduces any social anxiety as well. If you’re hosting a full day for your blended family reunion in a park or a big backyard, plan for a variety of activities, and make sure there are multiple places to sit and chat in between events.
Here’s a sample schedule for a blended family reunion in a park:
Anderson Family Reunion Schedule:
10:30 AM: Get to the Park to Prep and Set Up
11:00 AM: Welcome and Arrival
11:30 AM: Family Games and Activities with Snacks Available
1:00 PM: Lunch
2:30 PM: Relax, Connect, and Break
4:00 PM: Family Photos and Memories
5:30 PM: Dinner and Barbecue in the Park
7:00 PM: Night Activities
(Karaoke, Talent Show, Go see a movie, Going to a nearby bar)
*Make sure to factor in time for clean up throughout the day!
6. Brainstorm Family Reunion Activities That Include Exercise
Planning a reunion, but still want to get your steps in? Getting your exercise is more than just wanting to be physically healthy. Exercise also reduces stress and improves “physiological health.” In fact, exercise also leads to more confidence and decreases anxiety. One study suggests that group exercise is even better for you than solo exercise!
Get your family moving and grooving together with some fun group exercise activities! Not only will these fun sports and games help break the ice, but then you can still get all your steps at the reunion.
Fun family reunion activities to get everyone moving:
- Kickball
- Scavenger hunt
- Speed Walking Relay (Check out this video of a family reunion relay race!)
- Tug of war
- Soccer
- Water balloon toss
- Hoola hoop dance challenge (Check out this example of a Hoola Hoop Dance Challenge)
- Pickleball
- Football
6. Think of Affordable Ways to Foster Connection
Some of the best family activities are simple and full of tradition. Whether you’re hosting your reunion at a nearby park or in a big backyard, it’s the time together that matters more than the budget.
By focsing on the activities and the food your family values most, your blended family reunion will have so much more meaning.
Affordable Ideas to Boost Connection at Your Blended Family Reunion:
A Photo Book Table
Aside from the food and games, you can also set up a family photo book table. With a collection of family photo books, guests can stop by the table and relive memories. You can also include a blank book and ask family members to write down their favorite family memories. A photo book table creates a more reflective and nostalgic corner of your family reunion, and also gives older guests a place to sit and chat if they don’t feel like joining in the sports/games.
Karaoke Night
This will be the only time that Aunt Anna can belt out Mariah Carey and no one will judge! There’s nothing that unites a family more than singing together.
Talent Show
Everyone can have their 15 minutes to show off their special talents at your family reunion talent show. Whether it’s music, monologue, impressions, public speaking, or dancing, the night will be full of entertainment and laughter!
7. Plan “Get to Know” You Activities
There are many kinds of “get to know you games” you can incorporate into your blended family reunion. These games will help guests open up and encourage connection!
“Get To Know You” Games for your Blended Family Reunion
Would You Rather…
In the game “Would You Rather,” family members choose between two often difficult, outlandish, or thought-provoking scenarios. The responses and choices reveal hilarious and strange preferences, and definitely break the ice!
Deserted Island
Family members discuss which items, books, music, or people they would choose to bring with them to a deserted island for the rest of their lives.
Two Truths and a Lie
Each person must share three “facts” about themselves. Two of the facts are true, and one is false. The other players must guess such statement is the lie.
This or That
Players very quickly choose between two options presented to them. This game often reveals preferences and sparks laughter and lighthearted debate.
Top Five
Family member list off their top five favorites in a category. For example, you could ask the group who are your top favorite singers/bands of all time? Everyone compares their lists and bonds over the results.
8. Be Open-minded and Patient
Blended families usually have complex schedules and nuances, so arranging all the details for your family reunion can take a little extra patience and flexibility. You might need to have extra conversations with some family members leading up to the day.
Remember to allow each family member to determine their own boundaries and make their own decisions. Focus on the planning for the overall group and be a listening ear to their concerns. At the end of the day, everyone has the freedom to make their own decisions and set their own boundaries.
Create Space in Your Blended Family Reunion Schedule
You also want to schedule some “open times” during the reunion day for open socializing and eating. These times can happen in-between activities, giving guests a chance to go get a coffee, take a walk, or do something personal for an hour or two. Not everyone can be so involved socially for 8 hours straight, so make sure people feel safe and comfortable to take a break if needed.
Another tip – you can make the planned activities and games optional for guests. That way, if some guests would rather chat at a family photobook table or munch at the snack table, they have the flexibility to do so.
8. Special Consideration for Kids
Creating dedicated games, spaces, and tables for kids is a good idea at a blended family reunion because it ensures that kids always have age-appropriate activities. It’s also a great way to get all the cousins to bond.
Having special activities for kids at the reunion also gives adults some freedom to relax and socialize. It’s also great for setting up photo opportunities!
Family Reunion Games for the Kids
For younger family members, you can plan on having a few kids tables or picnic blankets, as well as specific games for kids.
Minute to Win it with Digging for Worms
In this game, you can use gummy worms, not real worms! Keeps the kids excited and gives them some sweets to enjoy.
Corn Hole
This is a game that the teenagers and kids can play together! Basically, you have two boards with holes and you toss beanbags into the hole. You get points for landing the beanbags into the hole each time. This is a great game in the summer months!
Drawing, Art and Painting Activities
If your family is artistic and expressive, there’s nothing better than arts and crafts table. You can have coloring books, markers, pens, pencils, colored pencils, and blank canvases.
9. Guidelines and Boundaries
Thriving as a blended family means creating an environment of safety and joy. It takes communication, love, and boundaries. Setting guidelines preserves family values and protects relationships. Boundaries also help children (and adults) feel comfortable and know what to expect.
Especially if children in your blended family have been through difficult or emotionally vulnerable situations in the past, you want to set clear guidelines so they feel comfortable and at home at your blended family reunion.
In fact, family reunions can be very healing experiences for children in a blended family. When their extended family and cousins are there having fun and enjoying life, they can see that their community is vibrant and supportive. The goal is to give kids of blended families hope and excitement about family gatherings, and a sense of joy about their blended family reunion!
10. Capture the Memories
Family photos are essential for a memorable reunion, creating treasured keepsakes for generations. You can either hire a photographer/ videographer, or choose a few designated family photographers.
Capturing the large family group photo can sometimes be challenging for the designated family photographer. We consulted with a number of experienced photographers and experts to learn their secrets for taking excellent family reunion photos in our blog post “Family Photography Guide for Reunions with Tips from Experts.” Their insights will equip you to capture timeless memories your family will cherish.
Start a free group on Reunacy today to start connecting with your high school classmates and building the plans for your amazing reunion!