FIND A LOCATION
Start planning your family reunion at least 2–3 months out by locking in a date, location, and budget before anything else. From there, delegate tasks, plan age-friendly activities, and lean into your family’s traditions—or skip the backyard setup entirely and book a venue like Stars and Strikes.
Family reunions are a fun way to connect with family you haven’t seen in a while. Until you’re in charge of planning one. Suddenly, you’re juggling 47 opinions on food, three relatives who “can’t make it” until they can, and the biggest question: where do we even go? Here’s everything you need to know about how to plan a family reunion.
Start With the Basics
Every great reunion starts with the boring-but-necessary stuff. Lock these in first, and the rest falls into place:
- Choose a Date and Location: Pick a date with enough lead time (at least 2–3 months out) so people can actually show up. Choose a location that’s central or easy to travel to.
- Set a Budget: Decide early whether costs are split between households or covered by a few organizers. This avoids awkward money conversations later.
- Create the Guest List: Go big! Reunions are the one time it’s totally normal to invite the cousin you haven’t seen since 2009.
- Send Invitations: Digital invites (think Evite or a Facebook event) work great for big groups. Send a save-the-date early, then a reminder closer to the day.
Plan Food and Activities
Decide early whether you’re going with catering, a potluck, or a mix of both. Potlucks are budget-friendly and give everyone a chance to bring their famous dish, but catering keeps things stress-free. Either way, make sure there are options for dietary restrictions.
Plan activities that work for all ages, and don’t skip the photo ops! Those moments are the whole point. Part of how to plan a family reunion is to stick with the crowd-pleasers:
- Lawn games like cornhole, bocce, or a sack race
- A family trivia game (who knows Grandma’s maiden name?)
- A group photo session with a fun backdrop or sign
- A memory jar where everyone writes down a favorite family moment
Keep Everyone Organized
Here’s a secret: the best-planned reunions don’t have one person doing everything. Assign tasks to family members based on what they’re actually good at. Your cousin who loves spreadsheets? Budget and RSVPs. The aunt who cooks competitively? Menu. Delegating keeps one person from burning out and gets more people invested in the event.
Share all the important details ahead of time: parking info, the schedule, what to bring, and who to contact with questions. A simple group chat or shared Google Doc goes a long way. And always—always—have a backup plan. A rain-out or last-minute venue issue can derail even the best reunions, so know your Plan B before you need it.
Make the Reunion Memorable
The best reunions feel like your family, not just a generic cookout. Lean into your traditions—whether that’s a recipe passed down for generations, a silly annual award, or a game you’ve played since the ’90s. You can also start a new tradition! Some options could be:
- A family recipe swap or cookbook project
- A slideshow of throwback photos
- A “then and now” photo challenge
- Family bingo with inside jokes as the squares
- A storytelling circle where older relatives share memories
Family Reunion Ideas for Every Age
Knowing how to plan a family reunion means making sure everyone has something to do, not just the adults with drinks in hand. Here’s a quick breakdown by group:
Games and Activities for Kids
- Scavenger hunts, relay races, and balloon games
- Arts and crafts stations
- Bowling, bumper cars, or arcade games
Group Activities for Adults
- Laser tag, escape rooms, or axe throwing
- Trivia nights or card tournaments
- A “best dish” cook-off with actual prizes
Family-Friendly Meals and Potluck Ideas
- Taco bars or build-your-own burger stations
- Classic potluck with a sign-up sheet to avoid 11 pasta salads
- A dessert table featuring family recipe favorites
Memory-Making Activities
- Build a family photo book on-site with printed photos
- Record short video messages from each family member
- Host a family trivia game with questions about your own history
Ways to Keep Older Family Members Involved
- Give them a role—emcee, historian, or head judge of the cook-off
- Set up a comfortable lounge area with easy access to everything
- Create a “memory wall” where they can share stories and old photos
Rainy-Day or Backup Activity Ideas
- Move the fun indoors with bowling, arcade games, or VR experiences
- Host a movie marathon or game tournament
- Plan a group cooking or baking activity
Skip the Backyard and Book Stars and Strikes Instead
Here’s the thing about knowing how to plan a family reunion: the venue does most of the heavy lifting. When you book with Stars and Strikes, you get bowling, laser tag, bumper cars, arcade games, escape rooms, and a full restaurant, all under one roof. No backyard setup, no cleanup, no praying it doesn’t rain.
At Stars and Strikes, everyone walks happy and full, from the toddlers to the grandparents. Ready to make your next reunion the one they actually look forward to? Book your Stars and Strikes reunion today!
