How to Make a Gathering Enjoyable for all Ages

A family celebration often involves the gathering together of 3 (and sometimes 4) generations. While it can build very happy memories, it can also be fraught with difficulty. Just how do you amuse the tots while keeping the teens engaged and the nonagenarians from flagging? Here are some tips to doing just that!

Planned arrivals

From the time guests arrive, until they leave for home, family celebrations can extend for 8 hours or more. That’s a long time for littlies to be on-the-go, or for some seniors, whose energy levels aren’t what they were, to stay the course. But not everyone needs to arrive at yours at the same time. Where appropriate, consider inviting younger members earlier in the day (they can help with meal prep and laying the table), and older guests just prior to dinner. If there is to be gift giving, cake cutting or speeches, have these straight after dinner so family with little ones can leave before the ‘melt-down’ hour!

Tots table

At an intergenerational family gathering, grownups (especially great grandparents) often welcome a little quiet while they eat, while little ones feel extra-special when they get to sit at their own child-friendly table (think finger food, party hats, and bowls of crisps). Aim to have two tables, close together, and keep everyone happy!

Create corners

Family celebrations can be busy-busy as folk who may not have met up for months, gather together. That’s why it’s important to create individual spaces where children can play, and adults can retreat (when they want to). In even the most compact home, it’s possible to turn a group of chairs to the window around a coffee table, or to place a picnic table and deck chairs under a shady tree on the lawn. A picnic rug and cushions on the deck acts as an invitation for children to play in their own space.

Think ahead

Plan ahead for family with babies or tots who may need a rest during the day. They will appreciate a spare bedroom that is free of dangers (such as medications or breakables). If you have elderly guests using walking aids, make sure the access to your bathroom is clear.

Time out!

Break up the day into sections which give guests of different ages the space they need. You may like to serve morning bubbly or coffee to the adults on the deck while the children play games on the lawn (get the teens to supervise). Send the young families to the park after dinner so the children can burn off steam while any older members of the family, who want to, can have a snooze. Stream a movie in a spare room where anyone who wants to can watch, while others enjoy a quiet coffee and a chat.

Games

Everyone loves playing games, and a family gathering is a time to include all the generations in the fun. Prepare a scavenger hunt for the young folk and include in it some items that only a senior may be able to provide (such as a grey hair, a Gold Card, or a special family memory). Play charades but choose the titles or topics yourself, and make sure they are ones all ages will recognise (such as the name of a popular fairy tale movie). Play ‘pin the tail on the donkey’ with younger guests doing the pinning and an older guest directing them.

The film crew

Teens can be some of the most challenging guests to entertain in an intergenerational setting. Fortunately, they are also usually the most tech-savvy! Set them the task of taking photos and video clips throughout the day, then ask them to put together a ‘screening’ for everyone to watch. It doesn’t matter how amateur it is – it will provide a huge amount of entertainment for everyone.

Family celebrations are more fun when generations gather together, and planning for guests of all ages is part of the pleasure of hosting the day!