Fun Family Games
Looking for something fun to do with the family? Leave digital calendars and social media behind, and join together with loved ones to enjoy a collective time-out in nature. Choose a nearby state park for a day trip to include food and interactive activities. Daytime hikes and boating excursions are fantastic ways to experience your natural surroundings. But, what about games to encourage family bonding during downtime? Make this gathering one to remember with a few family games. Not only are they fun for all ages, but they're a great way to elicit lots of laughter and create lasting memories.
Add these 10 family reunion games to your day trip itinerary.
1. Custom Family Trivia
To make this trivia game fun and informative, it’s best to create customized questions unique to your family story. Send a questionnaire to all family members before the reunion so you can collect information. This will help you compile the list of personalized questions to ask.
You can create trivia categories such as: Love and Relationships, Sports and Activities, Most Embarrassing Moment, Work Life, Middle Names, Travel, Pet Names, Art and History.
During the gathering, split the group into several teams—the size and amount of teams will depend on how large your family is. You can do the game Jeopardy-style, or take turns asking questions.
Here are some sample trivia questions:
- Grandma came to the U.S. in what year?
- What are the name of cousin Brittany’s dogs?
- Uncle Jack played soccer for which Division I college team?
- Someone in this group has always wanted to be an astronaut. Who is it?
2. Scavenger Hunt in Nature
An outdoor scavenger hunt is a great way for the family to interact and bond. A scavenger hunt can be about searching and collecting specific items or solving clues that lead to treasure. This can be as basic or intricate as you want to make it, depending on the ages and interests of the kids in your family. Kids can play individually, or if you want siblings and cousins to build camaraderie, have them play in teams of two or more.
Make sure to set parameters by telling the kids that they have to stay within 50 or 100 feet of the campsite, or that they have to stay within eyesight.
Some of the items on their scavenger hunt list can include:
- A particular type of leaf that's native to the area
- A map from the ranger station
- A sighting of a bird species common in the area
- A piece of tree bark
- A signature from the oldest person in the family (let the kids figure out who it is)
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3. Play a Ball Game
Ball games are some of the best family activities because they allow everyone to play together. Many state parks offer playgrounds and game areas on-site, making it easy to gather outside together. Whether you take advantage of your park’s volleyball courts, horseshoe rings and swimming pools, or create your own space for play, there’s no limit to the interactive family fun. If you, or your kids, have a game of choice, don’t forget to pack the ball.
Some ball games you can easily plan for include:
- Pool volleyball
- Bocce ball
- Softball
- Football
- Soccer
4. Themed Cooking Contests
Who has the best guacamole recipe? Who makes the best chili? Who can come up with the tastiest, most unexpected s’more ingredients? Everyone loves a good competition, especially when it’s over something as fun as food. Involve the group with campground or picnic cookouts. Pick one of your family’s go-to appetizers or desserts, and challenge individuals or teams to create their own version. This foodie game can be replicated and customized based on your family dynamic.
5. Family Talent Show
There’s no need to be shy with family; everyone has a secret talent. Encourage your loved ones to let their guard down. Even people who think they don't have talents should be able to come up with something. Have each family member perform a talent in front of the whole group. This is one of the best family activities to record with a video camera and watch at future reunions.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Sing a song
- Do a funny voice impression
- Recite a poem from memory or book
- Perform a skit with one or more family members
- Do a dance (individual or with a partner)
6. Water Balloon Toss
On hot summer days, this classic family game is a must. Have everyone pick a partner and stand facing each other. Start standing two-feet apart, and after each toss, take one step backwards. The team who tosses the balloon the farthest without letting it pop wins. It's always extra fun to have prizes on hand for the winners—even something goofy like matching sunglasses would suffice. Make sure to pick up all the balloon scraps that may have popped.
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7. Make a Family Photo Album
This is an ongoing activity that is sure to provide meaning and long-lasting memories. Set up an area where people can gather between games and meals to do crafts. An extra screened-in, family-size tent or pop-up shelter would be an ideal place to set up. Ask everyone to bring copies of family photos that can be compiled into a family photo album. Encourage everyone to decorate their own pages with personal visuals and words over the course of the weekend.
Here is a list of basic supplies to get you started:
- Family photos, old and new
- Construction paper
- Stickers
- Stamps
- Glue or glue sticks
- Scissors (consider using child-safe scissors)
- Crayons, markers, colored pencils or colorful pens
- A blank scrapbook
8. Campfire Story Time
This is a great activity for those relaxing nights around the campfire. Ask everyone to prepare a sweet, fun or funny story about someone else in advance—remember, embarrassing is good, but maybe not too embarrassing—and plan to share it with everyone one night. If you have a large group, choose one person from each of the nuclear families to tell a story about someone else. Try to think of something that most of your extended family doesn't already know. The best stories are those that reveal something unusual or unexpected about that family member's personality.
9. Egg Race
The egg race is great for a multi-age big group. Have everyone choose a partner, face each other, and stand about 30 feet apart. All players have to put spoons in their mouths. The first player places an egg on their spoon and runs it to their teammate across the way. They must transfer the egg from their spoon to their teammate's spoon, without letting it fall. The teammate then has to run the egg back to the other side to win. Everyone is racing against each other, and if you drop the egg, your team is out. Prepare hard-boiled eggs in advance, or prepare to clean up a yolky mess at the campground.
10. Charades
Who doesn’t love a game of charades? The quickness and competition will bring out the personalities of even the most shy family members. This is a game you can play anywhere, anytime. If a summer rainstorm crashes your camping afternoon, be prepared with this idea to keep the energy alive and reunion vibe strong. You can play with a traditional game set, or go DIY-style and come up with your own list of things to act out. If you want to create the cards yourself, have everyone in the group come up with answers for each category and write the following on little pieces of paper:
- One movie
- One famous person
- One phrase
- One book
- One activity
Check with your Local Government Organization
Many policies have been established to counter and control the coronavirus outbreak. State and local officials have been taking decisive action to stop the spread. The policies vary by state, sometimes to a great degree. When you book a reservation, make sure to review the park and state's latest rules and regulations prior to your visit.
For COVID-19 updates, please visit our Impacted Park List and Reservation Guide for the latest information.