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Activities & Games

Family Reunion Crafts & Activities

Hands-on activities give guests something to do that is not a game and not just sitting around. These four projects create keepsakes that last longer than the reunion itself.

4 Craft Activities with Full Materials Lists

Each project works for all ages with some adult assistance for young children. Run 1–2 simultaneously rather than all four — it keeps the craft area manageable.

1

Tie-Dye T-Shirt Station

Time: 2–3 hours active; 6–8 hours curingAges: All ages (kids need help with rubber bands)Cost: $8–15 per person

Materials List

  • •White cotton T-shirts (pre-washed) — collect sizes from RSVPs
  • •Tie-dye kit with pre-filled squeeze bottles (Tulip or Rit brand)
  • •Rubber bands (50–100 per person)
  • •Disposable gloves (2 pairs per person)
  • •Plastic table covers or trash bags to protect tables
  • •Plastic wrap for wrapping dyed shirts
  • •Gallon zip-lock bags for transport
  • •Bucket of water for rinsing gloves

Steps

  1. 1Pre-wash shirts to remove sizing (do this the day before)
  2. 2Soak shirts in soda ash solution if using fiber-reactive dye (skip if using a kit with pre-treated dye)
  3. 3Demonstrate 3–4 folding patterns: spiral, crumple, accordion, and bullseye
  4. 4Let participants fold and rubber-band their shirt
  5. 5Apply dye colors; encourage layering for complexity
  6. 6Wrap in plastic wrap and seal in zip-lock bag
  7. 7Leave to cure 6–8 hours (or overnight)
  8. 8Rinse in cold water until water runs clear, then wash separately in hot water

Tip: Order shirts 3–4 weeks in advance. Collect sizes via your RSVP form. Make extra in common sizes (M, L, XL). Set up the dye station away from the food area and any surfaces you care about staining.

2

Family Cookbook Assembly

Time: 1 hour at event (if pre-compiled); 4+ weeks prepAges: All ages — kids can illustrate their pageCost: $5–15 per copy (printing)

Materials List

  • •Recipe submissions collected before the event (email or Google Form)
  • •Printed and bound cookbooks (or print-on-demand service like Blurb)
  • •Recipe card station at event: index cards, pens, decorative stickers
  • •Collection box for day-of recipe cards
  • •Optional: printed photo pages of family members with their recipes

Steps

  1. 1Send recipe collection request with RSVP — ask for 1–3 recipes per household
  2. 2Compile recipes in Word or Canva; organize by category (mains, sides, desserts, drinks)
  3. 3Add family photos, notes about recipe origins, and who the recipe belongs to
  4. 4Print and comb-bind at a local print shop (call ahead — allow 5–7 business days)
  5. 5Distribute at the reunion as a gift or offer for $5–10 to cover costs
  6. 6Have a recipe card station at the event for last-minute additions
  7. 7After the reunion, add day-of submissions and mail a digital PDF version to all attendees

Tip: The cookbook is more meaningful when recipes include family context — 'Great-Grandma Rosa's sweet potato pie, passed down since 1952.' Ask submitters to include a one-sentence story with each recipe.

3

Photo Frame Decorating

Time: 30–60 minutesAges: All agesCost: $2–5 per person

Materials List

  • •Plain wooden or cardboard photo frames (bulk packs on Amazon: ~$2–3 each)
  • •Acrylic paint (6–8 colors) and small brushes
  • •Alphabet stickers for adding names or dates
  • •Decorative items: foam stickers, gems, buttons, ribbon
  • •Markers for fine-detail writing
  • •Wax paper or table covers to protect surfaces
  • •A photo of each family unit or the whole group (printed in advance or via Instax)

Steps

  1. 1Set up a craft table with all supplies laid out
  2. 2Each person (or family unit) decorates one frame
  3. 3Allow paint to dry (30–60 min depending on thickness)
  4. 4Insert a printed photo — either bring pre-printed photos or use an Instax camera at the event for instant prints
  5. 5Frames go home with guests as a reunion keepsake

Tip: Print 4x6 or 5x7 photos in advance from your family photo archive. Alternatively, rent or borrow an Instax printer so guests can take a photo at the reunion and insert it immediately.

4

Family Tree Coloring Mural

Time: Available all dayAges: All agesCost: $10–30 for the mural

Materials List

  • •Large printed family tree outline on butcher paper or poster board (custom or template)
  • •Colored markers (washable for kids)
  • •Name stickers or name tags to add family members to the tree
  • •Family photos to tape or glue onto branches
  • •Tape or clamps to hang the mural on a fence or wall

Steps

  1. 1Prepare the family tree outline before the reunion — use an ancestry site or family knowledge to map the tree branches
  2. 2Hang the mural in a visible, accessible location at the start of the event
  3. 3Leave markers and name stickers nearby — guests add themselves and their kids throughout the day
  4. 4Add photos: tape or glue family photos to the corresponding branches
  5. 5At the end of the reunion, photograph the completed mural and share with all attendees

Tip: The family tree mural works especially well for large reunions where cousins don't all know how they're related. It becomes a conversation starter and a piece of living family history.

👥 With Reunly

Collect T-shirt sizes and craft preferences with your RSVP

Reunly's RSVP form lets you add custom questions — like shirt size — so your materials order is accurate before you shop.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do you do tie-dye at a family reunion?

Plan 2–3 hours for a tie-dye activity at a family reunion. Buy white T-shirts in bulk (Hanes or Gildan from Amazon run $5–8 each in bulk orders — order early so everyone knows their size). Use a kit with pre-mixed dye bottles for simplicity (Tulip or Rit kits run $20–40 and cover 10–15 shirts). Set up outdoor tables covered in plastic, provide rubber gloves, and have rubber bands available. After dyeing, wrap shirts in plastic wrap for 6–8 hours before rinsing. The key logistics issue: shirts need to cure overnight, so guests take them home wet or you need a collection and mailing system.

How do you put together a family cookbook at a reunion?

Collect recipes before the reunion — ask each family unit to submit 1–3 recipes via email or a shared form. Compile them into a formatted document (Word or Canva works fine), print and bind at a local print shop (comb binding runs $5–10 per copy). Bring the completed cookbooks to the reunion as a gift or for sale. Alternatively, do a live 'recipe card station' at the reunion: set out blank recipe cards, pens, and a collection box — guests fill out their favorite recipes on the spot. Collect all cards and mail a compiled version to everyone after the event.

Keep Planning

All Activities Guide →T-Shirt Ideas →Photo Ideas →Memory Book Guide →

Plan Your Whole Reunion in Reunly

From collecting T-shirt sizes to scheduling the craft station — Reunly handles the logistics so the reunion itself is pure enjoyment.

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