Family Reunion Games Worth Buying
Not every game and activity at your family reunion has to be created by you and the reunion committee. There are some great games on the market that can really add to your reunion fun and can help cut down on some of your reunion preparation.
Win Lose or Draw
Several years ago the game Pictionary came out and everyone seemed to be playing it. I was a great game for large groups such as family reunions. The game was Pictionary. A game that I like better, that is along those same lines, is “Win Lose and Draw”. It comes with a game board and accessories but what makes it valuable to me is the box of cards with phrases on it.
When it is your turn to draw you pick a card from the box and draw the phrase on the card. Examples of phrases are:
Double cross
Bull in a china shop
Bury the hatchet
If the shoe fits, wear it
On the ball
Don’t forget to bring large sheets of butcher paper, newsprint or a large drawing pad and a box of markers when playing “Pictionary” or “Win Lose or Draw”.
Electronic Catch Phrase
Catch Phrase is my favorite game for a large group people. I like this game because you can throw it in with your family reunion or party supplies and if you find some extra time with nothing to do you just ask everyone to sit in a circle, pull out the game and push the start button- instant and easy fun!
The game is played in two teams. The goal for each player is to get their team to say the word or word phrase displayed in the disc. One member of a team starts the timer and tries to get his or her team to guess the displayed word or phrase. A clue-giver can make any physical gesture and give almost any verbal clue, but may not say a word that rhymes with any of the words, give the first letter of a word, say the number of syllables, or say part of any word in the clue (e.g., "worry" for "worry wart"). When the team guesses correctly, the other team takes its turn. Play continues until the timer runs out. We usually play boys vs. the girls and sit every other one so that teams are easily recognizable.
Apples to Apples
Encourages out of the box thinking. Super quick to learn and fun to play. Select the card from your hand that you think is best described by a card played by the judge. If the judge picks your card, you win that round. And everyone gets a chance to be the judge! Each round is filled with surprising and outrageous comparisons from a wide range of people, places, things and events. Fast moving and refreshing, APPLES to APPLES is great for any get-togethers with family and friends.
Snapple Real Facts
"Real Facts" are printed on cards in the Snapple Real Facts game. Players act out the missing words like in charades. Their team members try to guess the words before time runs out.
Just turn on the electronic Snapple bottle, and shake it 'til a Real Fact disc pops out. Think of it as a bottomless bottle of Snapple, filled with facts instead of flavor. Players act out the missing words to the facts, charades style, while the other players on their team try to guess what they are. Meanwhile, the bottle acts as a timer, making a funny cap-popping noise as it ticks the seconds away. It's a palatable party game that will leave you thirsty for more!
Some Snapple “Real Facts” examples:
A Goldfish’s attention span is three seconds.
Animals that lay eggs don’t have belly buttons.
Beavers can hold their breath for 45 minutes under water.
Slugs have four noses.
Camels have three eyelids.
Taboo
My brother Scott introduced this game to our family during the Christmas holiday. It’s a word game for team play and it’s great for all ages. Taboo is like charades with words. Players take turns giving word clues to their teammates without using any of the prohibited words on the list. Their teammates try to guess the secret word. Get as many words correct as possible in one minute. Compete to see which team can get the most words.
Scene It Games
I have a very wonderful neighbor, Abby, who loves to play Disney Scene It. She introduced us to the game and since then we’ve become aware of other Scene It games. There is a Movie version, a TV version, Star Trek, Friends, Sports and several other theme games.
If your family reunion is in a more remote site, you may not be able to use this game because you will need a TV. When purchasing a Scene It game be sure and choose a version that will appeal to the most ages and backgrounds.
It’s a great game if weather forces your family indoors during your family reunion or party.
Bop It.
Bop It games test a player's mental skill by inducing the player to follow directions at a faster and faster pace. Gameplay consists of the player following a series of commands issued by the toy through speakers. The toys have multiple inputs including pull-handles, twistable cranks, spinnable wheels, toggle-switches, and all versions feature a centrally-located large round button that may be depressed to start the game.
Shout About DVD Games
Comes in versions abut Music, TV and Movies. Divide into two teams. Easy to play and work the DVD and remote. If you’re a real trivia fan might find it a little remedial but for most of it just plain fun. We have played this game with as few as 4 people on a team and as many as 20 on a team. Great rainy day game if weather becomes an issue for your reunion.
Games for Free Play
We like to leave an assortment of games that may not be appropriate for a large group but work well for smaller groups on the tables at our reunions. It’s amazing how many small groups will get together to play a game during the “down” times at our family reunions. Some of our favorites are:
Uno Spin
Puts a new spin on a classic game
It Came To Pass
Available from DeseretBook.com Less than $15.00
Every point in your hand will count against you so discard them as quickly as you can before someone says "It Came To Pass" and it's time for an accounting.
A Charity card is good; a Desolation card is bad . . . and watch out for Justice because someone is sure to feel its effects.
UNO Splash
We love to hold our family reunions near water and we usually come home with a couple of decks of cards that have been ruined by the sand and water. These cards are great, they’re made of plastic, not plastic covered, and you could play with them “under” water if you wanted to. The design of the cards is clever- bright colors,with areas that are clear, that you can see through.
Jumbo Checkers
This is probably our favorite “spare” time game. Although only two people can play this game at one time there are always several people watching, just itching for a chance to take on the champion.
Rook
Rook is a game that has stood the test of time in my husband’s family. Grandpa Stanworth was a serious Rook player and to this day, Rook tournaments are held at every Stanworth reunion.
There are hundreds of games that you can play with these cards and the deck comes with a good sized booklet of games to use with the deck.
