It’s never too early to look forward to your summer family reunion! Picnics in the park, games in the pool, backyard barbecues, karaoke nights – there’s so many fun activities you can incorporate into your summer family gathering.
If you’re planning your summer family reunion and want to make the event unique and fun, we’ve brainstormed 25 ideas for your party!
Setting the Family Reunion Vibe: Pre-Party Prep and Essentials
Warm Up & Pregame Your Family Reunion Guests
By warming up your guests with excitement, or a tease of the activities and food, anticipation for your summer family reunion will start to build.
How can you set the tone before the party even starts?
“Your opening needs to be a kind of pleasant shock therapy. It should grab people. And in grabbing them, it should both awe the guests and honor them. It must plant in them the paradoxical feeling of being totally welcomed and deeply grateful to be there.” – Priya Parker, The Art of Gathering
In Priya Parker’s beloved book “The Art of Gathering,” she asserts that the party starts the moment you send out the invitations. And it’s true! The party vibe starts from any first touch point or communication about the event.
Your personal excitement and the theme of the party will be noticeable from the first connection.
Online Invites
The best part of online family reunion invitations are the convenience. Online invitations also set the tone for your summer family reunion, making plans clear and accessible.
With online family reunion invitations, you can easily see who has RSVP’d and manage the guest list.
In your online invitation, include all essential logistics information. Guests will be delighted to realize they can access the online invitation at any time from their computer or phone. You won’t have to worry about snail mail. And your guests will not have to worry about misplacing the invitation. Overall, online invitations are a win-win for everyone!
Brainstorm Your Music Playlist
Music always sets a unique vibe for your summer family reunion.
Think about all the best parties and events you’ve been to in your life. It’s likely the parties that stand out the most had incredible music that fit the tone of the party.
Does your family love the top hits of the sixties? Or perhaps a more classic Frank Sinatra and Italian vibe, or relaxing summer tunes. Whatever you choose, you want your playlist to match the personality of your family.
Brainstorm your summer family reunion music playlist a few weeks ahead of the family gathering. Enlist a few members of your family to help out. Include special family songs that your family loves.
Don’t forget a few songs that boost the energy and get people dancing!
Family Reunion T-Shirts
Family reunion t-shirts are a great way to keep the family reunion vibes alive long after the reunion. The more personal and fun you make your family reunion t-shirt, the more likely people will wear the shirt again!
Encouraging your family members to wear their family reunion t-shirt to the reunion fosters even more unity among your family, and gives the shirt additional meaning.
For example, the Quander Family has been holding family reunions for over 85 years. According to an interview with NPR, Rohulamin Quander (president of the Quander Historical Society) reports that the Quander family all wear their family t-shirts to the actual reunion.
What better way to host an unforgettable reunion than to have a souvenir that everyone loves – and can actually wear!
Above all, your family reunion t-shirts are meant to bring your family together.
Summer Family Reunion Gifts
The possibilities are endless when it comes to special summer family reunion gifts. You want to think of a gift that your family will actually use in the future, and remind them of the fun times at your family party.
For example, here are fews idea for you:
- custom tote bags
- family notebooks
- embroidered hats
- coffee mugs
- custom keychains
- custom luggage tags
- family-themed bookmarks
- matching family robes
- hand cream
- magnets
- custom artwork
- family notebooks
Most importantly, pick a family reunion favor that you feel your family will love and actually use.
Family Reunion Welcome Sign
A great welcome sign does more than just point the way. In fact, a welcome sign sets a festive and inviting tone for your summer family reunion from the moment guests arrive.
To make your welcome sign unique and exciting, consider creating a photo collage by using pictures of family members throughout the years.
In addition, you could also make your family reunion welcome sign interactive by leaving space for attendees to sign their name.
Some families love the balloon garland or balloon arch combined with the welcome sign.
More than just a decoration, a balloon arch creates a vibrant party atmosphere to welcome guests – and makes for a perfect photo opp!
Ways to Make Your Summer Family Reunion Unique
Share Family Stories at Your Summer Family Reunion
A family reunion is more than just a party – it’s a moment in time to bring everyone together. Moreover, that is why your summer family reunion can be a great moment for family stories.
How can I incorporate moments of storytelling into a family reunion?
“Create designated “Legacy Lounges” where family members can comfortably gather in smaller groups to share stories across generations. These intimate settings, equipped with prompt cards featuring themed questions about family traditions, childhood memories, or pivotal life moments, naturally encourage storytelling. The magic happens when grandparents share tales from their youth while youngsters listen wide-eyed. These moments create bridges between generations. I’d recommend recording these precious narratives to preserve treasured stories for future generations, creating an evolving family archive that grows with each reunion.” – Corrine Statia Thomas, CMP, Absolute Events by Corrine
What is a family reunion memory table?
A family reunion memory table can include framed photos of family members or full-on photo albums of your family. Ask members of your family to bring unique family history research or documents that others can look through.
If you set up a table at the reunion like this, many will be excited to look through the photo albums. In addition, photos always spark conversations, memories, and stories.
Do you have a family historian in your family?
Some families have their resident “family historians.” Ask these key family members to collect a few stories that they could present to the group in 5-10 minutes.
How can I continue the family stories going after the reunion?
Does your family has an online family reunion group like Reunacy? If so, your family members can share family history stories within your online group group before and after the reunion too!
Do you have a film lover in the family? Ask them to edit together a short film of photos set to a favorite family song.
We’d also suggest planning a special toast right during your reunion. Assign a guest to share a special family history story.
Lights, Camera, Action: Plan the Entertainment!
What’s a family get-together without a little… drama? Family Talent Show, anyone?
Any good party host knows that you plan your event with your guests in mind. If your family is a talented bunch, or appreciates the arts, make sure to include some entertainment activities that will liven up the party.
Family Talent Show
Let your family’s talents shine with a family talent show! Simply ask your family ahead of time who would like to participate, and schedule 5-10 minute slots for each person who signs up for the talent show.
A family reunion talent show gives your Uncle Bob a chance to show off his singing voice after all those years of singing lessons! Or for the cousins to get together and perform a scene from a play. If the kiddos in the family are taking dance lessons, the family talent show would be a great time to get moving to the beat.
We recommend assigning a “host” to introduce each act and keep the talent show moving and grooving!
Karaoke Night
Few things in life match the energy of a family karaoke night – often an unforgettable and hilarious mix of genuine effort and pure fun. Stepping up to the microphone might be nerve wracking for some, but watching your family sing 80s power ballads together will be a memory that lasts a lifetime. Don’t forget to capture some of the performances on your phone; you will love reliving the fun!
Hire a Band
There’s always the option of hiring a local band, or a local instrumentalist, as entertainment for your summer family reunion. A guitarist can set a calming and relaxing vibe for a backyard summer family reunion.
Beat the Heat: Plan for Unique Drinks and Hydration
You can have a lot of fun keeping your summer family reunion guests hydrated by thinking of unique drinks! Obviously, you’ll want to have plenty of water on hand. That’s a given. Beyond water, there are plenty of fun recipes and summer drink ideas that the whole family can enjoy.
If you’re going to make your own summer drinks, make sure you have a few pitchers or drink canisters.
Watermelon Lemonade
We love a refreshing homemade watermelon lemonade in the summer. Watermelon is already high in water content, so it’s an amazing fruit when temperatures are high. Watermelon can also help prevent dehydration, and provides essential vitamins like vitamin C and vitamin A.
Watermelon lemonade is one of our favorite summertime staples for family reunions and parties!
Classic Arnold Palmer
Set up a station of the classic Arnold Palmer (half lemonade, half iced tea) with ice for your guests to enjoy a refreshing spritz.
Berry Sparklers
Freeze strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries the night before to create delicious fruity ice cubes. In the morning, fill your canisters with coconut water and a little sparkling water, and then add your colorful fruit ice! Now you have a delicious and hydrating Berry Sparkler drink.
Coconut water is extra hydrating and contains extra electrolytes. It’s also lower in sugar and calories compared to other sugary drinks, making it a great option for your summer family reunion!
Create a Family Reunion Banner
To add a little artistic flair to your summer family reunion, create a family reunion banner together.
Start with a piece of white or black cloth, or a cardboard poster board. Make sure your chosen material is big enough for everyone’s design! Once your poster or cloth is laid out, invite your family members to put their handprints in paint and then apply to the material. The end result will be a colorful and personalized work of art that doubles as an amazing decoration for your party.
Go on a Family History Adventure
Does your family have a special family history destination connected with a special story? It could be recent, or as far back as 250 years. Some families plan entire family reunion destination tours.
For example, the Babb family planned a visit to a destination featuring their ancestral history in Winchester, Virginia as part of their family reunion. The family explored their genealogy, as well as historical markers and cemeteries as a gateway to their family party.
You might want to plan your family reunion in one of your ancestral towns, or visit an old home that your family once lived in. There’s nothing like reliving family stories to strengthen the family bonds!
Plan Your Family Reunion Games
Let’s talk about the heart of fun at a summer family reunion – the games and activities! To ensure everyone has a great time, begin by considering your family’s personality.
Would your family prefer a board game, card game, or an outdoor game? Does your family enjoy pickleball, corn hole, relay races, or a water balloon toss? Is your family full of pop culture enthusiasts, or book worms? Maybe all of the above!
Outdoor Family Reunion Games
During the daytime portion of your family reunion, there are tons of unique games and activities your family can play together. From the classic water balloon toss, to an egg race, frisbee golf, check out these outdoor family reunion games your family can play together.
We’d suggest having a few decks of cards on hand throughout the reunion, even if your reunion is at a park or in a backyard. Some members of your family might enjoy sitting in the shade and the intellectual and social stimulation of a card game.
Indoor Family Reunion Games
Save some of the official board games and indoor family games for night time when everyone is inside together. From charades, Pictionary, Scrabble, and all kinds of card games, your family will be playing games together all night!
Family Tree: Connecting Generations
A family tree is a captivating visual representation of multiple generations of your family, showing ancestors, descendants, and the connections between family relationships. It’s a great way to capture the beauty of your family relationships.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, a family tree serves as a cherished keepsake and can become a unique centerpiece at your upcoming summer family reunion, celebrating the beauty of your shared heritage.
There are a few ways you can incorporate a family tree into your next family reunion.
Option 1: Showcase a Professionally Crafted Family Tree
You could print out a personalized Family Tree from Family Botanic. With the artistic, vintage design, we’ve never seen such a stunning family tree before! Crafted by a mother-daughter team, these unique pieces are unlike any family tree you’ve encountered before.
Option 2: Make Your Own Family Tree Decoration
You could also make a family tree craft into a memorable activity AND a decoration for your summer family reunion.
First, make sure you have a large poster board and markers or pens at the family reunion and an area to create the family tree. Begin by gathering names, and key dates (births, marriages), then sketch a large tree outline onto a roll of butcher paper or several connected poster boards. If you want to include photos, print out photos of each individual.
Write or print each family member’s name (and dates/photos) onto individual paper “leaves,” or directly onto the branches in their generational position on the large family tree. Finally, connect individuals and family units with clear lines showing relationships. You can add artistic touches like a large title or a colorful background to make it a festive focal point for the reunion.
Family Picture Clothesline
If your reunion venue allows for decorations, a family photo clothesline is a fun way to add a personal touch to your summer family reunion. Simply set up a string or clothesline between two poles or trees, and use clips or clothespins to attach photos.
To source photos, you could have an instant polaroid camera at the family reunion to capture new memories on the spot. Or, you can ask family members to bring their own photos for the clothes line.
Family photos are a cherished part of shared identity and heritage.
Stay Up Late and Keep the Party Going!
After the day’s festivities, you can go back to the family AirBnb and play games, and watch movies together.
Sometimes an ice breaker game, like “Would You Rather?” Or “Two Truths and a Lie” can help members of your family open up.
If your family is into board games or card games, there are endless options of games you can play together!
Prep Snack Packs!!
Snack packs are individual, pre-portioned collections of various snacks, often around a specific theme or flavor profile. Think of them as personalized little bundles of flavor. Snack packs typically contain a mix of sweet, savory, and sometimes even healthy options, offering variety and convenience. Here are three ideas for snack packs for your summer family reunion:
Sunshine Citrus Snack Pack
Imagine a burst of summer in every bite! This vibrant snack pack is all about refreshing citrus flavors and sunny hues. Inside, guests will find:
- Orange & Lemon Fruit Skewers: Juicy chunks of fresh orange and bright lemon wedges threaded onto a skewer – a light and zesty treat.
- Goldfish Sunshine Mix: A playful blend of classic cheddar Goldfish crackers mixed with pretzel sticks and dried apricots, adding a touch of sweetness and crunch.
- Lemon Cooler Cookies: Crisp and buttery lemon-flavored cookies dusted with powdered sugar, offering a melt-in-your-mouth delight.
Berry Picnic Snack Packs
Embrace the sweetness of summer with this berry-licious snack pack, reminiscent of a delightful picnic in a berry patch. Inside, you’ll discover
- Strawberry Yogurt Pretzels: Crunchy pretzel twists coated in a creamy, sweet strawberry yogurt – a satisfying combination of salty and sweet.
- Berry Blast Trail Mix: A vibrant mix of dried cranberries, blueberries, and raisins combined with crunchy granola clusters and a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips for an extra treat.
- Fresh Raspberry & Blueberry Cup: A small, clear cup filled with a handful of fresh, juicy raspberries and blueberries – a naturally sweet and refreshing option.
Salty and Sweet Snack Pack
For those who love a little bit of everything, this snack pack offers a delightful balance of savory and sweet, perfect for fueling summer adventures. Inside, partygoers will enjoy:
- Sea Salt Popcorn Bag: A small bag of lightly salted popcorn – a classic and satisfying snack.
- Gummy Shark Candies: Fun and chewy gummy candies shaped like little sharks.
- Chocolate Swirl Graham Crackers: Sweet graham crackers drizzled with rich chocolate.
Shared Family Reunion Photo Album
If you really want to plan ahead for your family reunion, strategize now how you will store all the photos that are taken at the family reunion. The last thing you need is for the hundreds of summer family reunion photos to stay on everyone’s individual phone!
Consider setting up an account at Reunacy, a platform where you can plan your entire family reunion as well as upload all of your photos in one place.
With Reunacy, each member of your Family Reunion group can easily create their own profile and upload their photos directly to a shared album. No more chasing down individual photos weeks or months later!
Everyone can relive the joy, download their favorite moments, and even contribute captions and comments, turning your photo collection into a collaborative memory bank.
Planning your photo storage now will save you countless headaches later, and make sure your cherished reunion moments are preserved and easily accessible for generations to come.
Art Table
Some of the most memorable summer family reunions have unique activities like arts and crafts tables.
To create your family reunion art table, start by covering a table with washable tablecloths or craft paper. You can also set up a craft station on a picnic blanket on the grass. Make sure to provide a diverse array of art supplies. For example, you’ll want to supply colorful markers, crayons, and paints. Don’t forget to bring various sizes of paper, stickers, glitter, and even natural elements like leaves and small stones.
In conclusion, an art table offers a valuable intergenerational activity. In addition, an arts and crafts table fosters creativity and connection. Family members of all ages can collaborate and express themselves. Watch as your family members create new artistic keepsakes and memories together!
Pizza Oven
There is nothing like fresh, oven-baked pizza. Can you get your hands on a small portable pizza oven and can bring it to your venue? Or better yet, does anyone in your family have a pizza oven in their backyard? Custom pizzas are sure to be a hit at your summer family reunion!
We’d suggest prepping all the dough the night before. In addition, have tons of pizza sauce on hand. Organize and bring different toppings like cheese, vegetables, spices, and meats.
To sum up, your family loves pizza, having custom mini pizzas at your summer family reunion would be unforgettable.
Plan a Memorial Moment for your Family Reunion
One family interviewed by NPR has been holding family reunions for 79 years and have some treasured family traditions. Their family brings in old photos of ancestors and family members from the last 100 years to decorate the dining hall during their family reunion.
Just before dinner, the family holds a moment of silence to honor their ancestors.
“It’s really touching, you know, because we get 100, 125 people, and before we eat, we say a little prayer and then a couple moments of silence, and you think about the people who came before you and made this life possible for you.” – David
In conclusion, decorating your reunion with family history photos is a wonderful way to honor family members who have passed away.
Hire a Food Truck!!
Food trucks just have a way of elevating the vibe of any party. From burgers, to ice cream, tater tots, burritos and tacos – the choices are endless! Do a google search in your area to research the top food trucks. Your family will be in for a treat!
Above all, hiring a food truck means a lot less food preparation on your end.
In summary, summer is a great time for a family reunion because the warm weather and longer days make it perfect for outdoor gatherings. Kids are out of school, making it easier for families to travel and spend quality time together. Plus, summer offers a relaxed atmosphere that encourages bonding and making lasting memories for your summer family reunion.
Start a free group on Reunacy today to start connecting with your family and building the plans for your big, amazing, incredible, awesome reunion.