10 ideas for theme nights at a vacation home with family

If you’re renting a vacation house with extended family this summer and trying to figure out ways to bring a large group with different ages together, consider planning some fun theme nights. Here are 10 ideas.

—Beach Olympics: A flip-flop toss, water balloon toss and using a seashell to fill cups with water. Winners get plastic gold, silver and bronze medals.

—Neon night: Decorate T-shirts with neon paint and bring glow necklaces and bracelets. A black light adds flair to a neon dance party.

—Pirate “pub” crawl: Hand out bandanas with a Jolly Roger pattern and souvenir cups. Turn each room of the house into a different “pub” serving kids’ beverages (bug juice made from Sprite and gummy worms) along with specialty cocktails for adults (prosecco poured over a popsicle).

—White wedding: Celebrate a special anniversary by having a “wedding reception,” dressing up the bride and groom and designating wedding attendants. Wedding decor and a wedding playlist will get everyone in the spirit.

—”Parched Games”: The grandchildren in our family came up with this take on the “Hunger Games” series. Follow a game of charades with a water balloon and squirt gun battle. At the sound of a whistle, get ready to shoot with a goal of capturing a hidden pirate flag without getting wet.

—Casino night: Games, a Vegas-style buffet and packs of playing cards printed with a family vacation logo as souvenirs.

—Luau: Pack a floral shirt, wear plastic flower garlands and play ukulele music.

—Tailgate party: Dress in your favourite team’s colours and serve tailgate food.

—”Iron Chef America”: Form teams and provide simple ingredients for a cook-off. The best dish wins.

—Wii bowling tournament. Bring your Wii to the beach house, give out T-shirts in team colours and serve bowling alley food such as pizza and nachos. Players with highest and lowest scores win trophies.