Reunion Games- 3

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B-I-N-G-O!

 Roxie Branch, Charlotte, North Carolina, shared these cards from BROWN FAMILY BINGO. Keeping with the theme “Brown Family Ties,” BROWN FAMILY BINGO was used as an ice breaker. Each person was given a BROWN card with a task or question in each square. The first five persons to have their cards signed by other members to create a BROWN BINGO were winners. Whoever signed the card had to know the answer or do the action. You could not sign your own card and only two signatures from the same person were allowed per card. It was a GREAT success!

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Donuts provide laughs
Yes, those are powdered donuts being eaten by members of the Awaya Family Reunion. The goal was to eat yours first, but you could only use your mouth … no hands. It netted hilarious scenes, especially of the older generation covered in powdered sugar and looking like fish trying to suck in the bait. We really enjoyed the game. We had multiple races and the winners of each race competed for the grand prize ... their very own box of powdered donuts. Reported by Sarah Okuno, Saratoga, California.

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Roots revisited
The second version of Roots, a boardgame, is a great way for kids and adults to have a good time getting to know their family tree. It seems that it’s most fun when different age groups participate together.

Fast action is the name of the game. It can be completed quickly (unlike many other monotonous games) or extended for additional play. The goal is to have the most money at the end of the game. You’re rewarded for knowing your ancestors. Expect to receive money for letters in your great grandmother’s name or collect $10 for each letter in your birth month. Other challenges include collecting $5 for each paternal first cousin you can name, answering how many children your paternal grandparents have or $40 per ancestor you can name.
Contact G & E Hill Inc, PO Box 21347, Baltimore MD; Heghill@cs.com; http://www.gehill.com.

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The Ungame
The Ungame is another trivia game that aims to bring people together by promoting open, honest communication. There are no losers because everyone gets the opportunity to share with the group.

Two decks of cards hold the questions. One is of lighthearted questions designed to start conversation, the second has more serious questions for people who already know each other.

The Ungame has plenty of value for reunions and kids should be able to play as well, though it's not as kid friendly as some games. Contact Talicor, Inc., PO Box 6382, Anaheim CA 92816; 714-255-7900.

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LifeStories
LifeStories is yet another board game that helps family get to know one another. It is designed not to have losers and so everyone can to share family memories.

Four categories of questions help you get to know whoever is playing; memories, etchings, valuables and alternatives. Each person moves across the board, sharing stories after landing on spaces. Everyone finishes the game ensuring equal story sharing time. It's designed for two to eight players ages 6 to 106.

Contact Lifestories, 701 Decatur Avenue North, Suite 104, Golden Valley MN 55427.

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Ice Breakers
An easy, fun way to get to know people is a good way to describe Ice Breakers, another game from LifeStories.

Another game of questions designed to get conversation flowing, Ice Breakers is for two or more players, age 10 and up. The only rigid rule is to have fun and get to know the people you're with. Everything else can be altered to best suit your situation.

Ice Breakers has over one hundred question cards with a few "pass" cards mixed in. Pass cards are used to give a question to another player.

This game is an excellent ice breaker for all situations. It can be used at all kinds of reunions. Or maybe on the trip to your reunion, you can modify the game to fit your needs.

Contact Lifestories, 701 Decatur Avenue North, Suite 104, Golden Valley MN 55427.

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Reminiscing
Reminiscing is aptly subtitled "The game for people over thirty, and the younger people they let play."

Questions urge players to remember times spanning from the 40s to the 80s. Most young people won't be able to compete with "seasoned" elders. However, if you're looking to have the youngsters learn something about their elders and the time they lived in, it might be worth including them.

The goal of the game is to get 25 points faster than the other players/teams (up to four players or teams may participate). Each question is worth five points, but each hint takes point values down, so knowing history really pays off.

This game will be fun for older reunion goers who enjoy remembering the "good old days," but it probably is less interesting for youngsters, as they wouldn't be able to participate much.
Contact TDC Games, 1470 Norwood Avenue, Itasca IL 60143; 1-800-292-7676.

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More games
In a Parents magazine article, Eileen Ogintz included a sidebar called Breaking the Ice which included the following suggestions for games: a scavenger hunt, a family Olympics, a volleyball or kickball tournament, an arts-and-crafts table with lots of supplies, face painting, ice cream making, bingo and bubbles.

Here are some game ideas paraphrased from an item in a newsletter from family-reunion.com submitted by Port2Gez. Both involve family history and require setting up before your reunion.

Ask everyone to send photocopies of baby pictures of each family member. Mount and number each picture on a large presentation board. Give each player a piece of paper numbered to match the number of pictures. Each player writes baby's names that match the numbers. Since most families are somewhat familiar with their own baby pictures, the surprises are often in spouse's baby pictures.

This version of family trivia can also be used as a way to catch up on events, celebrations, graduations and milestones since the last reunion. Write questions ahead of time and ask members to fill in the blanks. Encouraging working together serves as an additional icebreaker. Here were some of Port2Gez's questions. What was the name of the ship our grandparents immigrated on? In what year did they immigrate? Who graduated from high school this year? Where are they going to college? Who celebrated their 50th anniversary? Who is the oldest person here? How many people here speak Portuguese fluently?

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Watch out, Regis!
Shamele C. Jordon, Linden Wold, New Jersey, reports about a new game that her family will play, "Who Wants to be a Toomernaire" based on the popular game show.

Questions about family are in the following categories: Henry and Bertha – whom they all have in common; the 1st kids – Henry and Bertha's 16 children; Toomer Baby Boomers Henry and Bertha's grand and great grandkids; Berlin, New Jersey, the town where they grew up starting in 1926; and Toomer Reunions – reunion history.

Sample questions include:

Question: Who was the first H & B descendant to receive a college degree?
Answer: Elijah Reid Jr.

Question: Which Toomer was responsible for the move from Philadelphia to New Jersey because he was hit by the trolley car?
Answer: Clarence

The Toomers are also into special awards. The Recognition Award is given for service to Toomer Family Reunions either by working on the planning committee or in the background. Last year's award went to Susan Toomer Clayton who doesn't like meetings but at the reunion works harder than anyone. Winners are chosen by the planning committee.

Awards include the following:
1. Youngest Toomer baby in attendance
2. Newest wed Toomer couple in attendance
3. Toomer Service Award
4. Descendants Award for the person with the most descendants in attendance
5. Dance Contest Award

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Reunion game ideas
Cindy Walker reports activities for her Perron Family Reunion
On Saturday there are games and races for kids, teens, adults and the group. A traditional 50 on 50 baseball game runs about enough time to let everyone have a bat. A horseshoe tournament continues throughout the weekend. In the evening there is a dance with a bonfire and movies for the kids. They also have a skit, scavenger hunt and cabin decorating contest. Sunday is described as a colorful day. T-shirt day shines with color-coded shirts for each family.

B. Smith, in her lavish new book, B. Smith: Rituals & Celebrations, (1999, 241 pages, hardbound. Random House, New York NY) talks about her family’s games:
"My family's Saturday afternoon outdoor games event was a huge success, because it gave everybody the freedom to be totally silly. There are lots of laughs to be had when a group of people of different sizes and shapes get together to play games like horseshoes, softball, tug-of-war, relay races, or steal the bacon." In case the weather doesn't go along with your plans, have equipment ready for indoor games – bingo, cards, and board games – and arts and crafts for the children.

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Games to research
Table Talk
Table Talk is a game designed to incite conversation; perfect for any kind of reunion. Conversation is generated by four color-coded categories, pink: growing up, blue: family matters, green: food for thought, and yellow: the good old days. Examples of questions are; blue: what phrase best describes your parents? Pink: what is the most unusual pet you or your family ever had? Green: describe an usual edible centerpiece. Yellow: name three milestones of your life.

Everyone can respond with kids able to share in the growing up and food for thought categories. The great thing about Table Talk is that it can be adapted to fit your situation. It can be used as an ice breaker without concern about "winning" or "losing" because everyone wins by sharing.
Contact Conestoga Book Service, Box 7, West Willow PA 17583.

Questions and Ancestors
Want to learn more about your family? Questions and Ancestors is a game to do that and start conversation among family members. The game has many questions you can ask at a family reunion. A few questions are: in your family, how was Sunday different from the weekdays? How many family reunions do you attend each year? Who in your family would you consider a real character. It's something fun the whole family can enjoy.
Contact Conestoga Book Service, Box 7, West Willow PA 17583.

Generations
Want to put your family knowledge to the test in competition? Then, Generations may be the game for you. Customize this game to fit your family's needs and once that's taken care of, let the game begin!

This board game asks questions about family history as you try to move to the finish line (the roots of the family tree). Each time you play, you learn a little bit more about your family. It will also be a battle for bragging rights for the most knowledgeable about family history. The game is for three to six players ages 10 and up.

Contact Familytime Products, Inc., 4071 Championship Court, Annandale VA 22003; 703-256-7092.

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