Teens at Family Reunions - Hunt for Relatives Scavenger Hunt

by Lauri Griffin | More from this Blogger

31 May 2007 09:22 AM

Yesterday, I posted a blog about keeping young children happy at family reunions. Little kids aren't the only ones who need some special things to keep them happy. Teenagers can get fairly miserable, too.

I do think it's important for the teenager to interact with their older relatives, though. So as much as the teens would like it, I don't really recommend setting up internet and movie stations to keep them busy and occupied.

What can be fun for the older relatives and for the teens is to set up a person scavenger hunt. It's easy to set up. Ask the older relatives to write down some interesting things about themselves. Then make a list for the kids and send them searching. They have to find someone who was in the Air Force, or who won a 4-H award for raising goats, or who has lived in ten different states. It is fun for the older relatives to share their stories, and it's a great way to get kids to search out their great aunts and distant cousins and to listen. It also turns into a fun icebreaker for those same distant cousins who may be fascinated to learn that they both went to the same beach as children, or both had an uncle who fought in World War II.

Although the teenagers may not be enthusiastic about this story scavenger hunt at first, they will probably end up enjoying it. I think offering some prizes to the winner is a fine way to get the reluctant ones inspired at first. The game is fun though, because of all the family stories that turn up. Who knew that Grandpa played guitar when he was young, too? Or that Uncle Bob knew how to surf? Or that Aunt Edna went to art school? The game turns into a way for everyone to get to know each other a little better, and to reconnect as a family.

More on Family Reunions: Family Reunion Fun for Small Children

The Family Reunion Forum

Planning a Family Reunion

Learn more about Lauri Griffin

Lauri lives in Colorado with her husband and three sons. Amidst all the laundry and packing of lunches, she tries to keep parenting fun.

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