I'm hosting our family reunion.

pennysuedog

My generation has taken over throwing the family reunion and since then it has really sucked.  It is thrown together last minute and people usually just eat and run. 

I 'm hosting it at my home for the first time this year and I I want to spice it up some.  It has always been a potluck lunch so I can't really change that with out an uproar. 

I just want to some activities to inspire people to stay and have fun.  There will be round 50-60 people coming.  The youngest will be 8 months and the oldest will be 90.  

Let me know if you guys do anything fun at your reunions or have any ideas for me. 

So far I was thinking about doing a family feud game and hiring a photographer to take candid photos that I can buy the Cd and mail out later.  

 I also want to make these:

 

 

LCass

I don't have any ideas or suggestions, I just want to say how amazing I think it is that you can have a big family reunion like that.  I'm so jealous of that kind of thing.  Since my family is spread out across the world, we never get anywhere close to a reunion.

Also, that's a really cute idea

missyishere

If there is going to be several children, maybe an obstacle course? My DHs last reunion had water games for kids to play while parents could catch up.

pennysuedog

LCass:

I don't have any ideas or suggestions, I just want to say how amazing I think it is that you can have a big family reunion like that.  I'm so jealous of that kind of thing.  Since my family is spread out across the world, we never get anywhere close to a reunion.

Also, that's a really cute idea

Well, there are a lot of kids, probably around 35 kids. 

Elsa1984

We have a family reunion every year with SO's family and I suggest a bounce house for the kids. We noticed a lot of people were leaving early due to the kids being bored and bothering the parents to the point that they couldn't have a convo with another adult. Games were done, food was done.....and now kids were bored. With 35 kids, I think that is a good amount to enjoy jumping in one and staying entertained long enough that their parents can visit without their kids pulling on their leg and constantly interrupting. Added bonus, kids will be exhausted after jumping for so long they will take good naps! You could also do something like a slip and slide or put a sprinkler out for the kids to play in. At our reunion, the more the kids are entertained with each other....the longer the parents stay.

missyishere

How about a scavenger hunt? That would keep kids busy for a while too.

cantalopes24

I don't know how much the rest of the family contributes but if you could spring for:

Your photographer to bring an assistant and set up a kind of photo booth where each family could do portraits and you can put out fun props.

DJ

Bounce house

Stations of activities like a water and sand table, picnic table to color on, sprinklers, water balloons, craft, face painting/stick on tattoos even if its just an older kid doing it.

Hire neighborhood kids you know to man the kid activities as sort of babysitters so the adults don't have to

cantalopes24

Also with that many people my parents will sometimes hire a bartender the caterer provides, you could maybe find a college student to make standards and pour shots and beer. Keeping the booze flowing and music are usually what keeps people at our parties.