Contributed by Info Guru Jennifer Andrews

Family get together events are a great way to spend time with family members that you rarely see.

Busy lives, hectic schedules and long-distance living play a large role in rarely seeing family members, including immediate and long-distance relatives. Even families who live together in the same house may struggle to make time with each other thanks to work, school and conflicting interests. In particular, kids entering adolescence and teenagers rarely want to spend time with parents who are deemed boring and uncool! Nevertheless, it’s vital to avoid letting life’s obstacles get in the way of sharing quality time and experiences with those you love.

Check out the following top ten family get together ideas that will have you and loved one’s enjoying every minute of the day.

10. Barbeques

Family barbeques easily tops the list of family get together ideas. Food is a universal need and interest of everybody in the world which makes for a great attraction for family and friendly gathering. Enlist the support and guaranteed arrival of family members by having a pot-luck barbeque where each family member is assigned to bring his or her own side dish such as salads as well as desserts and drinks. Gather at the home with the largest bar-b-que grill, meet at a park or beach with built-in grills (bring foil…those things are gross sometimes!), or have everyone bring little portable grills to one location.

9. Park day

A beautiful spring, fall or summer day makes for a perfect family day at the park. Younger kids will love spending time with siblings playing on swing-sets, slides as well as getting dizzy on merry go-rounds. Parents can spend play-time with kids in the sand-box and also slip away for some grown-up time by chatting at a park bench or strolling by a pond nearby. Better yet, invest in a deluxe backyard play system, invite the relatives over to your home to help construct it and then let the kids loose while the adults grill the ultimate backyard feast!

8. Camping

Family get together ideas would not be complete without a camping trip included! Camping trips are ideal since families must spend time together initially in driving to the designated camp spot. Try planning out activities together by dividing tasks such as setting up the family-size tent, starting a camp fire and gathering firewood. Furthermore, encourage family time together at night by roasting marshmallows over an open flame.

7. Dinner

The stomach may be the way to a man’s heart but it’s also the way to a family get together. Invite family members such as grandparents, cousins and siblings over for a homemade meal and ask for an RSVP. Alternatively, you can plan for a family dinner out by choosing a buffet restaurant that will satisfy even the pickiest palettes.

6. Pool party

You don’t have to go down south to enjoy time with family. Rather, plan a family get together that consists of some pool-time such as swimming or water games like water polo and organized pool games. A pool party doesn’t have to be spent in the water either. Keep the family together by providing lounge chairs for sunbathing, music for dancing and food for good eating!

5. Reunion

Family reunions are typically held every ten years, maybe more or less depending on the family and the reunion planner. No matter how far apart they are, reunions can bring long-distance relatives and even close siblings who live cross country or in different towns back together again. Hold a family reunion in a location that’s ideally accessible to most family members by car, bus or plane so expenses won’t be too high and they can take a long weekend off from work.

4. Sports

Take the family out to the ball-game! Gather the whole family together for a day outing to a ball-park for a good ole-fashioned game in the sun that includes hot dogs and peanuts for lunch. If baseball’s not their thing, try different sports such as basketball or a tennis match. Alternatively, plan your own sporting event with a family get together at a ski resort during winter or beach volleyball during the summer.

3. Movies

If you’re stuck on a family get together idea you can do at home, look no further than the television set! Oftentimes, parents may struggle with kids who can’t seem to pry themselves away from the tube for one night. Give in to their interests by planning a fun movie night with a couple of different movies for the comedian and romantic in the family as well as popcorn and cookies.

2. Game night

Board-games are an increasingly fun past-time for friends who get together and are looking for something fun to do. Transfer this activity over to family time by planning a family game night one night of the week. Let each family member select his or her favorite game each week, preferably games that involve interaction such as Pictionary or charades. Or, set up an extended family chess tournament, with chess boards and timers set up to keep the game moving and the table match ups entertaining.

1. Vacation

The ultimate family get together ideas list wouldn’t be complete without a family vacation. A vacation lets families pick a mutual destination that caters to separate and universal interests. For instance, spend a day at the parks at Disney World together, book a fun family-oriented cruise, go shopping at the malls in the “big city” nearest you, or go snorkeling at a beach resort.