11 Fun Family Reunion Ideas

Nothing is as important as family, even if you don’t get to see each other as much as you’d like. That’s why you’ve gotta make sure your family reunion pulls out all the stops! Here at Custom Ink, we love bringing people together, whether it’s with custom t-shirts or with fun ideas that your whole family will love. Getting together for your annual family summer BBQ? Or looking forward to seeing all your cousins at this year’s Thanksgiving weekend family reunion? We’ve compiled some of our favorite family reunion ideas below to help get your party started.

Design matching t-shirts

Let’s start with the obvious–get yourself some custom family reunion t-shirts. Who doesn’t love an excuse to get all matchy-matchy with the ones you love? We have to go with our Hanes Nano-T for this, it is our 2019 t-shirt of the year for groups, after all. It has sizes for men, women, plus, and youth—which makes it a great choice for everyone in your family. And you’ll love the affordable softness it provides. Put your family name on the front, or use a cute design like this one with cartoon family members. Just customize it with your name and location!

Get moving!

Getting together with family doesn’t have to mean sitting around. Get moving and take part in an activity together. Sign up to run a 5K or take a group yoga class. Looking for some friendly competition? Organize a family softball game or kickball tournament. Customize uniforms for each team including jerseys and hats! We’re sure family members of all ages will love participating or cheering on any of these fun activities.

Make family monogram hats

Whether it’s your school or favorite team, a hat is the perfect way to show off something you’re proud of—hats are one of those “pride” apparel items! Which is why we think you need them for your family reunion. We’d recommend putting a family monogram on the front. Take the first letter of your last name and use it as art. Have multiple names in your family? Use the first letter from each to create a two or three letter monogram. Put it on the Adams Pigment-Dyed Hat–it’s a dad hat the whole family will love, and it’s so trendy, too!

Take a cooking class

This year, don’t put all the work on your reunion host. Switch up your dinner plans and book a cooking class for the whole family. You’ll hone your kitchen skills, learn a new cuisine, and make it a fun experience for everyone. See if a local food store or cooking school can host your group. Or, if you have room at your host location, hire a chef to come to teach you at home. Take a family vote beforehand on the type or cuisine to make or choose based on your heritage.

Have a tech-free reunion

Cell phones at the door, please! You might get some grumbling for this one, but you’ll sure be glad you did it when it’s all said and done. Have all family members “check” their cell phones when they arrive at the reunion. Put all the phones in a box where no one can sneak a peek. This way, you’ll all be focused on one another instead of being tempted to use social media. If you’re concerned about taking photos, designate a family photographer to use a real camera, or to keep their phone on airplane mode so they can snap some shots.

Build a photo booth



Snap photos to make the memories last forever. Instead of just having everyone take photos on their phones all weekend, take and print photos (people still do that?!). Set up a photo booth at your event with a backdrop and props. You can rent a photo booth from a local entertainment company, or you can set up your own camera on a tripod and take turns snapping the shots. Don’t forget a printer, so you can print all the photos right there and put them in a big family album or take them home as keepsake favors. Organize the digital files after the event and email them to everyone in your fam.

Create a thumbprint tree

You might have seen thumbprint trees pop up as a popular wedding guest book option, but we think it’s the perfect activity for your family reunion. Find a poster, painting, or print out of a tree. Make sure it has lots of branches and room for your whole family to fit. Buy ink pads in a couple colors–we love green and blue–and some wet wipes for cleaning off your hands afterward. Have everyone put both of their thumbprints on the branches and let it dry. Write your family name at the top and give it to the head of the family–we’re sure grandma and grandpa will cherish this heartfelt gesture.

Customize can coolers

Everyone loves a can cooler, especially at events where the drinks are flowing. We think the Burlap Can Cooler with Neoprene Pocket would be the perfect addition to your family reunion BBQ. We love the rustic burlap, and the pocket is the perfect spot to put a fun family saying or design. Everyone will love taking these home, and even bringing them along for the next reunion! We love this “we’re all nuts” design and think the whole family will love the playfulness and laugh at the sentiment.

Make it a destination

Is your family located all over the place so no matter what, someone has to travel? Then make it a vacation! Plan the ultimate family reunion in paradise. Whether you want to jump on a cruise or rent a big beach house on the shore that can fit everyone, getting away with family will be a memory everyone will keep talking about. It could become a yearly tradition or something you plan to do every 5 years. Vote on a destination or, if you want to make it really fun, have family members submit their ideas, put them into a jar, and pick one out. That destination wins! Personalize apparel or fun accessories like beach towels and outdoor gear so you stand out on your trip.

Volunteer

If you’re lucky enough to have a big family to reunite with, maybe take the time to think of those who are less fortunate. Spend a few hours of your family reunion volunteering with a local organization. Serve a meal at the soup kitchen, or help put on an animal adoption event. We’re sure everyone in your fam will feel great after giving back.

Match in zip-ups

If you want something a little more than custom t-shirts, we absolutely love the Threadfast Tri-Blend Full Zip T-shirt Hoodie. It’s made from luxurious, trendy tri‑blend fabric and is lightweight like a tee. It’s at a moderate price point if you want to upgrade your gear, but still won’t break the bank to outfit the whole family. We love this simple design with abstract art and bold lettering. The monochromatic look will make this zip up a classic that everyone will wear long after the event is over.

When is your next family reunion? What are you planning for the event? Tell us all about it in the comments below. If you’re inspired to create custom gear for your whole family, check out our family reunion templates.