How to plan a children-friendly family reunion

Ebony, July, 2003

3. If your budget allows, consider hiring a high school or college student to direct youth activities at the reunion, particularly swimming and other sports.

4. Bring bikes, skates, and scooters as well as board games, craft supplies, video games, CD players, DVDs or videos, children's books, and lots of snacks.

5. Plan activities that children and adults can participate in, such as sack races, water-balloon or egg tossing, three-legged races, relay races or scavenger hunts.

6. Try new forms of old favorites. Turn bingo into a game where your children have to learn about their family members. Who fought in the World War? Who had two sets of twins?

7. You should also consider planning some type of contest--such as video game tournaments, dancing or singing.

8. Don't leave the children to their own devices. Make the reunion as fun for young people as it is for adults.

9. Consider planning your reunion near major attractions, such as an African-American history museum or amusement park. Often, these places offer group rates.

10. Add a historical component by having the children make a family tree or listen to the family's oral history. Plan an oratorical program for older children and award scholarships for the winner.