GROUP FUN AND GAMES

Make a Souvenir Tote
Jacquie Fisher of Olathe, Kansas, came up with a clever idea for a trip memento. "Bring blank tote bags for all the kids attending. Bring fabric pens and have the kids decorate the bags and all family members sign them. It's a great way to remember who was there, and the tote doubles as a place to put all those souvenirs."

Keep a Trip Journal
Andrea Stark of Ankeny, Iowa, suggests collaborating on a trip journal. "I typed up a page with starter ideas to help people focus their journal entries, like 'Today we went to' and 'My favorite memory from today was.' During the trip, we asked different family members to write their account of the day. After our trip, we had a family get-together during which everyone could read the journal and insert their pictures."

Put On a Show
Sandee Poff of Bowling Green, Kentucky, says the hit of her recent trip to Lake Tahoe, California, was a performance event that spotlighted all the hidden abilities of her group. "Instead of a real talent show, we called it a variety show, to not intimidate those who weren't as confident. We had some joke telling, dancing, singing, acting, playing of musical instruments, and sketch comedy. One of the cousins even showed off his ability to repeat any word you told him backward. It was a lot of fun."