You’ve sent out the invites, prepped the potluck, and even located that one picnic table in the park that has shade all day. Now comes the question every host dreads: how do you keep a crowd of relatives entertained, from the toddlers to the great-grandparents? Fear not! These family reunion games are designed to keep everyone smiling, laughing, and possibly even out of their chairs. Whether you’re gathering in the backyard, a local park, or even indoors, these activities are sure to bring your loved ones closer together while having fun.
Family reunions are the perfect time to reconnect, share stories, and make lasting memories. And what better way to do that than by playing games that everyone can enjoy? From traditional favorites to modern twists, we've got you covered. Below are eight family reunion games that will keep everyone engaged, whether they’re a toddler or a grandparent.
Top 8 Family Reunion Games
1. Gem City Dice Game
How to Play:
The Gem City Dice Game is a lively and simple dice game that adds a perfect mix of strategy and chance to your family reunion. All you need is a set of six dice, tokens (or any small items like candy, poker chips, or coins), and a score sheet to track everyone's points.
Each player begins with an equal number of tokens. On their turn, players roll the dice and try to match specific combinations that will earn them points. For example, if you roll doubles or a straight, you could earn bonus tokens, while certain other combinations may lead to penalties. You can adjust the scoring system to suit your family's preferences, making it a truly customizable experience.
The ultimate goal of the game is to collect as many tokens as possible by the end, and the fun lies in the strategy of when to push your luck and when to play it safe. You can also add a time limit to each round to keep the game moving quickly and maintain excitement.
This game works well for family reunions because it doesn't require any complicated setup, and it's accessible to everyone—whether they're young children or seasoned adults. The best part? You can play it indoors without any hassle, making it a great option for rainy day family reunion games or for smaller spaces.
People’s Experiences:
The Bennett family reunion was buzzing with excitement when they introduced the Gem City Dice Game. Sarah Bennett shared her thoughts, “We decided to play after lunch, and it quickly became the highlight of the day. My younger cousins were absolutely hooked, and even Grandpa, who’s usually not into games, couldn’t stop rolling those dice! There was a lot of laughter when someone would roll a combo that no one expected.”
It’s the simplicity and unpredictability of the game that made it a hit. “It was a great way to bring all generations together,” Sarah added. “The kids could easily understand it, but the adults had enough strategy to make it interesting. It was competitive, but in the best way.”
If you're looking for a family reunion game that everyone can enjoy—whether you’re trying to engage the little ones or provide some fun for the adults—Gem City Dice is a surefire winner.
2. Bingo with a Twist
How to Play: Bingo is a family reunion classic, but adding a twist makes it even more fun. Create custom bingo cards that feature family traits, facts, and inside jokes. Instead of calling out numbers, you’ll call out quirky family traits. For example, you could use “Has more than three kids,” “Loves to sing in the shower,” or “Has visited at least five countries” as possible bingo squares. The goal remains the same: mark off five squares in a row to win.
If you’re feeling extra creative, you can use family photos or fun stories as the bingo markers. As each trait is revealed, family members will find themselves not only checking off squares but also reminiscing about funny moments, which adds a personal touch to the game.
People’s Experiences: The Jackson family reunion’s Bingo with a Twist had everyone in stitches. “The best part was when Aunt Carol’s ‘loves to talk about the weather’ square came up,” said Tim Jackson. “Everyone knew exactly what she meant, and we all had a good laugh. It was a perfect way to bond over little family quirks and start some great conversations.”
This game is especially fun because it doesn’t just focus on competition—it also helps people learn new things about their family members, sparking storytelling and laughter along the way. Plus, it’s an easy game to set up and play, making it ideal for a wide range of ages.
3. Pictionary Showdown
How to Play: Pictionary is an iconic drawing game that can get incredibly fun when you add a family reunion twist. The objective is simple: one player draws a word or phrase while their teammates try to guess it as quickly as possible. You’ll need a large pad of paper, whiteboard, or chalkboard for drawing, as well as a timer.
For a fun family-themed version, use prompts that are related to your family’s experiences, such as “Mom’s favorite hobby” or “The time Dad accidentally set off the smoke alarm while grilling.” You can split into teams, and each team takes turns drawing while the others guess. To make it more exciting, you can add a time limit or challenge players to draw while blindfolded!
People’s Experiences: The Hernandez family took their Pictionary game to the next level during their summer reunion. “We had everyone participating, from the little kids to the adults,” said Maria Hernandez. “It was so funny watching my uncle try to draw ‘Mom’s favorite song’ and have everyone guess ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.’ The laughter was nonstop, and we all ended up with the funniest sketches!”
This game sparks creativity and is great for breaking the ice, especially when you have family members who may not know each other very well. It’s the perfect way to loosen up and enjoy some playful competition.
4. Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
How to Play: A scavenger hunt is one of the best ways to keep everyone active and engaged during a family reunion. This outdoor game encourages exploration and interaction, making it great for larger gatherings. To set it up, create a list of items or challenges that can be found around the reunion site. For example, you might include tasks like “Find a rock shaped like a heart” or “Snap a picture with Grandpa’s old fishing hat.” If you’re hosting the reunion in a park or outdoor space, you can make the clues related to the natural surroundings, such as “Collect a red leaf” or “Find a feather.”
Teams of family members work together to find all the items or complete the challenges. The team that checks off all the items first wins. For added excitement, make sure to incorporate some quirky tasks, like finding a stranger who shares your first name or a family member who wears glasses.
People’s Experiences: The Smith family’s scavenger hunt was a major success during their last reunion at the lake. “It was amazing how the scavenger hunt brought everyone together,” shared James Smith. “Even the shyest family members were diving into the challenge, and everyone was laughing when we found silly items like a pinecone shaped like a heart. It was a fun way to explore the area and share some laughs.”
Outdoor scavenger hunts are perfect for making family reunion games active and engaging, especially if you have younger children. It’s a fantastic way to get everyone moving and working together toward a common goal.
5. Musical Chairs (Throwback Edition)
How to Play: Musical chairs is a nostalgic game that never fails to deliver fun and laughter at family reunions. The rules are simple: Arrange chairs in a circle, one less than the number of participants. Play music as everyone walks in a circle around the chairs, and when the music stops, everyone must quickly find a seat. The person left standing is eliminated, and the game continues until there’s one winner.
To put a family reunion twist on it, use a playlist of nostalgic songs from different generations, such as ‘80s hits, ‘90s jams, or even tunes from the ‘60s. This not only adds a fun variety of music but also sparks memories from different generations.
People’s Experiences: The Green family’s Musical Chairs was a crowd favorite at their reunion picnic. “We had my 4-year-old niece playing alongside my 72-year-old aunt, and the mix of music really brought out some funny moments,” said Emily Green. “When the ‘80s rock music came on, my dad couldn’t resist jamming out. He wasn’t too quick to find a chair, though, and got eliminated in the first round—everyone loved it!”
Musical chairs is a great way to bring together family members of all ages and create moments of pure, unfiltered fun.
6. Family Feud Game Show
How to Play: This family reunion game is a perfect way to get everyone involved in a competitive yet lighthearted challenge. Modeled after the popular TV show Family Feud, this game involves asking survey-style questions and having teams guess the most popular answers. Create a list of family-centric questions, such as “What’s Aunt Sue’s favorite dessert?” or “What’s Dad’s go-to drink at family barbecues?”
Each team takes turns answering the questions, and the goal is to guess as many correct answers as possible. You can have a designated host (perhaps one of the younger family members) ask the questions while other family members guess. For a truly immersive experience, set up a buzzer system for teams to press when they want to answer.
People’s Experiences: The Adams family’s Family Feud was an absolute hit. “Everyone loved trying to guess what the family would say,” said Nathan Adams. “The funniest round was when we asked about Mom’s favorite dessert, and the answers ranged from cake to fruit salad, but the winner was ‘her famous pecan pie!’ It got everyone talking and laughing, and we even learned some new facts about family favorites.”
This game is a fantastic way to get family members talking about each other’s quirks, preferences, and memories in a humorous and engaging way.
7. Balloon Pop Trivia
How to Play: Balloon Pop Trivia is a creative and fun way to test everyone’s knowledge of family history and personal facts. To play, write trivia questions about family members on small slips of paper and place each slip inside a balloon. The balloons are then inflated and scattered around the playing area. Players take turns popping a balloon and answering the question inside. If they answer correctly, they can keep the balloon’s slip; if not, the next person gets a chance.
You can ask questions like “What year did Uncle Bob get married?” or “What’s Grandma’s favorite flower?” This trivia game is a great way to reminisce about family history while adding an element of surprise and excitement.
People’s Experiences: The Wilson family’s Balloon Pop Trivia was a crowd-pleaser. “My cousins and I had a blast popping balloons, especially when the questions were about things we didn’t remember!” said Karen Wilson. “It sparked so many funny conversations, especially when the questions were about embarrassing moments from our childhood. We were all laughing so much that no one noticed how much time had passed!”
Balloon Pop Trivia is a unique and engaging way to bring the family together, while also serving as a fun trip down memory lane.
8. Tug of War (Outdoor)
How to Play: Tug of War is a time-honored outdoor game that’s perfect for family reunions. It requires two teams, each pulling on opposite ends of a rope. The goal is to pull the opposing team past a certain point, whether it’s a marker or a specific location like a line in the sand. The game can be as intense or as lighthearted as you make it, but it’s always a crowd favorite.
This game can be made more competitive by adding an age or weight limit, ensuring that each team has an equal chance of winning. It’s also a great way to settle friendly family debates about who’s stronger!
People’s Experiences: The Taylor family’s Tug of War was a highlight of their reunion. “We had a huge group this year, and the competition was fierce!” said Kevin Taylor. “It was hilarious watching the younger cousins team up against the older adults, and in the end, the kids pulled off a surprising victory! It became a battle of wits and strategy, and we were all exhausted but had so much fun.”
Tug of War is the perfect family reunion game to build team spirit and provide plenty of opportunities for friendly rivalry.
Conclusion: Family reunion games are more than just a way to pass the time—they create opportunities to bond, share laughs, and make lasting memories. Whether you’re competing in tug of war, testing your knowledge with trivia, or simply enjoying a game of musical chairs, these activities help strengthen the connections between generations. So, the next time you gather with your loved ones, try out these family reunion games and watch as everyone—from toddlers to great-grandparents—comes together to create moments of joy and fun that will be cherished for years to come.