Getting together with family members you haven’t seen in a long time can be a wonderful, enjoyable experience. And with the kids out of school, the summertime is the perfect time to plan a fun family reunion!
Many people remember that family reunions back in the day were boring and dull. These days, there are various options to have the perfect family reunion, and many interesting locations from which to choose. Rather than meet up at a park again for a cookout, consider some of these unique ideas for your next family reunion.
1. Go on a Cruise
A cruise ship is a wonderful gathering spot for a family reunion. Just imagine how much fun your family can have as you experience a cruise together. From the unique sightseeing at ports of call to the endless food buffets, a cruise ship family reunion can be a ton of fun. No one will get bored because most cruises offer plenty to keep everyone entertained, from dance clubs and Vegas-style shows to spa treatments and massages.
When you go on a cruise, everyone will get to do things they’re interested in while enjoying family time. The staff of the cruise ship will take care of everything, including the clean-up, so no one will need to worry about cooking or making preparations.
We went on a family cruise a few years back and enjoyed time with family from across the country. My cousins and I had the type of fun we hadn’t had since we were children! We spent so much time together talking, enjoying the destinations, and simply having fun. Since everyone was staying in their own cabins, they could come and go from the activities as they wanted. Plus, they didn’t have to worry about driving back and forth to participate.
2. Rent a Vacation Home
Another creative idea for the perfect family reunion is renting a vacation home through a service like Airbnb or VRBO. For example, if your family likes the beach, you could split the cost of renting a large, luxurious vacation home near the ocean.
You might plan for everyone can share in the grocery expenses, so the entire group gets fed for several days. This will help you save on costs because dining out can get expensive!
You’ll provide your family with wonderful memories by having your reunion at a vacation destination. There are many locations you can explore!
3. Visit a National Park
A third unique destination for a family reunion is camping at a national or state park. This reunion can be as involved as you make it; you can go tent camping or rent a rustic cabin in the mountains. You can enjoy nature as well as the quaint atmosphere with family.
Not everyone loves camping and “roughing it” in the outdoors. Make sure that your priority is the comfort of all of your family members. “Glamping” has become very popular lately, so you might search for a company that offers added amenities. If you have any family members who are elderly and wouldn’t be able to camp out, having a cabin is a beautiful compromise.
One year for our family reunion, we caravanned with our RVs. Those who didn’t have an RV rented a tent trailer. We traveled the backroads all together, exploring family birthplaces and destinations important to our history. Some of us had never seen those spots before, and it was a treasured trip for both young and old!
Everyone is different, so the perfect family reunion means different things to different people. The main idea is to enjoy the company of family members that you don’t always get to be around often. The location should be a secondary concern.
Since many people don’t get to travel a lot, it makes sense to build as many memories as possible. You can start a tradition where all the family gets together each year in a new and exciting location. In addition, changing your reunion location allows family members who may live further away to be involved.
Talk to members of your extended family and perform an informal poll. You can do this by phone, in person, via email, or even just on Facebook. Getting your family members involved will excite them about the possibilities and allow them to participate in the success of your time together actively.
Have you ever had a family reunion at one of these fun spots? Please share your unique family reunion stories by leaving a comment below!
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on July 7, 2018, and has since been updated.
