Family Reunion Ideas that Celebrate Family History

Family history is a great way to bring your loved ones together as you celebrate and explore your common roots. Here are some engaging activities and family reunion ideas you can use to fill your gatherings with family history fun!

Start with Something Simple

Need a quick activity for a party or something for your kids to do this summer? These activity ideas from FamilySearch work at any time of the year, in your home or with a larger group.

Asian family eating traditional foods at the market.

Eat What They Ate

Connect with your familial roots through your ancestors’ favorite or traditional foods.

Family walking where their grandparents once walked as a family activity.

Walk Where They Walked

Explore the places your ancestors lived—in person or online.

Man looking at family history documents.

Touch What They Touched

Discover what heirlooms your family has and the stories attached to each one.

Hear What They Heard

Read or listen to your ancestors’ stories.

How Others Have Used These Activities

Families who have tried these activities have had lots of fun! See how parents and their children have been using the activities to connect with their ancestors.

Find More Activities on FamilySearch

Planning a Big Event

Need more family reunion ideas? We’ve gathered a list of our favorite family history games, crafts, and more from around the web to help you plan the perfect event for your family.

Games

Family playing a trivia game at a family reunion.

Family Trivia Game

Think you know your family? Write questions for everyone to answer, and see how many you get right!

Father and daughter looking at family photos.

Fill in the Blanks

Choose someone from your family tree, and gather as many photos and stories about them as you can!

Child tracing his hand for a family tree.

Handprint Family Tree

Create a handmade extended relative tree with the whole family.

Family Photos

Remember your favorite family memories through sharing photos.

Grandmother and daughter looking at heirlooms together.

Heirloom Hunt

Turn learning about your relatives into a fun scavenger hunt!

Ancestor Skit

Keep your ancestors' stories alive by acting them out.

Children having fun with family history.

Ideas for Children

Additional activities for children and teachers from the FamilySearch wiki.

Food Traditions

By FamilySearch

February 2, 2017

Create and enjoy your own family dishes!

Daughter hugging father while listening to family stories.

#52Stories

A list of 52 writing prompts to help you write a year's worth of family stories and memories.

Family Traits

What makes you and your family unique? Discuss which of your traits matches your ancestors'.

Heritage Celebration

By Risa Baker

June 26, 2017

Connect with your ancestral roots by experiencing the music, dance, food, and other activities from those countries.

Dad and kids talking to family during a virtual family reunion.

Virtual Family Reunions

By Miryelle Resek

September 30, 2016

Don't have family close by? Try using technology to gather together wherever you are.

When the Present Meets the Past

Organizing a family reunion is a wonderful way to connect with relatives—it can even be as simple as gathering your extended family and spending the day together. Whether you're an experienced family reunion planner or arranging one for the first time, think about taking some time to focus on learning about the lives of your shared ancestors. FamilySearch can also help you discover stories and photos for you to share to make your family reunion extra memorable!

Discover Your Ancestors Today