Often reunions that focus on older lines of the family or extended family reunions usually attract the interest of older family members. Children, teenagers and those who have younger children may have a difficult time attending or show little interest in learning about the family lines. While not all events may be appropriate for people this age, it is still important that they learn about their family heritage and history. Here are four activities that you can do to include the younger generations in your family reunion.
First you can have a packet of information, crossword puzzles and word searches that involve the history of your family. You can offer a small door prize to all those that complete it. This can be an excellent way to keep the little ones busy during the business meeting portion of the reunion. The crossword could be a short story of description of family members to help the children learn the stories behind the people.
Another option is to have a treasure hunt for groups to participate in as they go throughout the day. Each clue could include a story about an ancestor and a sticker or stamp to show that they have visited the station with a clue as to where to go for the next station. The treasure could be a desert such as popsicles or something that represents the family in a unique way. This should keep children active and moving, while still providing time together as a family.
A get to know you activity could be a variety show. Have ach family prepare a skit or provide kits that the family can do to prepare skits for the show. You could shake things up by numbering off, and mixing the families up in order to have new teams that do the skits. Then give each group fifteen to twenty minutes to prepare the skit for the evenings show.
Another way to include the kids to plan an obstacle course or other fun games for the children to participate in while the parents attend classes or participate in other activities. These games are always fun, and it will allow the children to make friends and get to know other distant family members.