Silver Dollar Game for Your Independence Day Party

Posted on July 1, 2019 by Aunt Mo

4th of July Games

We have a Independence Day tradition in our family- Whenever we get together for a family or reunion or party around Independence Day we play the “Silver Dollar” game. The Silver Dollar game is a game my Mom invented to encourage us to remember our American history and important United States facts.

Mom would ask a US history question and the first one to get the answer right would get a sliver dollar. Mom has a fun way off tossing the silver dollar to the winner- I’m not sure how to describe, it but basically she just tosses it to the family member that has the correct answer to the question.

Plan to play the Silver Dollar game at your Independence Day family reunion or party. Don’t have Silver Dollars? How about using 50 states quarters, red, white and blue taffy, or patriotic pencils?

Warning: If your family is competitive, like mine is, you may have to assign someone to be the judge and determine who is the first to raise their hand and watch out- even if you do get the answer right someone may just reach out and snatch your prize right out of the air, Oh well, it’s just part of the game and family fun!

Below are a list of questions you can use for your Silver Dollar game:

1. What is the title of the National Anthem?
Answer: The Star-Spangled Banner

2. Which right is guaranteed by the first amendment
Answer: Freedom of Religion

3. What is the title of the head of a city government
Answer: Mayor

4. Who has the ability to declare war?
Answer: The Congress

5. How many full terms may a Senator serve?
Answer: No term limits for Senators

6. How many full terms can a President serve?
Answer: 2

7. How many years is a full term for a Representative?
Answer: 2

8. Which amendment sets the minimum voting age to 18?
Answer: 26th

9. Who becomes President if both the President and Vice President die?
Answer: The Speaker of the House

10. On July 4th, 1776 we declared Independence from whom?
Answer: Great Britain

11. How many branches of government do we have?
Answer: 3

12. Which is part of the Judicial branch at the federal level?
Answer: The Supreme Court

13. Who elects the President of the United States?
Answer: The Electoral College

14. How many states are there?
Answer: 50

15. How many stripes are there on the American Flag?
Answer: 13

16. Who was the President of the United States during the civil war?
Answer: Abraham Lincoln

17. What is the introduction to the Constitution called?
Answer: The Preamble

18. Who is the President of the United States?
Answer: Donald Trump

19. Who is the current Vice President of the United States?
Answer: Mike Pence

20. Why did the Pilgrims come to America?
Answer: to find religious freedom

21. How many total Senators are there?
Answer: 100

22. The Constitution has how many Amendments?
Answer: 27

23. Who was the main writer of the Declaration of Independence?
Answer: Thomas Jefferson

24. According to the Constitution, a person must meet certain requirements in order to be eligible to become President. Name one of these requirements.

Answer: Must be a natural born citizen of the United States; must be at least 35 years old by the time he/she will serve; must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years.

25. How many Presidents have been impeached
Answer: 2 Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton.

26. What is the Official Language of the United States?
Answer: None

27. Who was the first Vice President of the United States?
Answer: John Adams

28. Who said “Give me liberty or give me death?”
Answer: Patrick Henry

29. How many Presidents were assassinated while in office?
Answer: 4 Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley, John F. Kennedy.

30. Is it ever appropriate to fly the flag upside down?
Answer: Yes, but only in an emergency. “The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.”

31. What is the tallest mountain the US?
Answer: Mt McKinley, located in the state of Alaska it reaches 20,320 ft (6,194 m) above sea level.

32. Who was the first man to walk on the moon?
Answer: American Neil Armstrong (July 21, 1969).

33. What ocean is off the Florida coast?
Answer: The Atlantic Ocean

Cruisin’ Classic Party Cars

Posted on June 17, 2019 by Aunt Mo

Cardboard Classic Cars Party Planner Food Serving Tray

Look at this fun party idea I saw!

The theme for 5th grade graduation at our school was “Cruisin’ into 6th grade”. As a party favor”, each student was given a cardboard classic car filled with candy. I thought the cars were such a great idea and my mind started whirling with how to use them. For instance, what a great idea for a retirement party, “Cruisin’ into retirement”, Cruisin’ into college or these 50’s themed cars would be great for a 50th birthday or wedding anniversary.

The cars have a compartment in them for burgers and fries, candy, popcorn or even money.

I was able to find several resources for purchasing the cars, Etsy, Ebay and Amazon all had good options. The cars aren’t cheap, you can pay anywhere from to $2.00 per car in sets of 12- 36. I purchased 36 cars for $37.80 and so that’s how many people I’ll invite to my husband’s retirement party. (Whenever that is) Several places will sell you a single car for 1.99 which would be a fun “congratulations” prize for a teenager that just passed their drivers test.

As I searched for “Classic” cars I also found options for trucks, Dunwoody, Hot Rod and blue & pink birthday versions. I thought these cars were such a fun and unusual idea for a party idea- can’t wait until mine arrive.

Family Reunion Brag Badges

Posted on March 27, 2019 by Aunt Mo

The Ultimate “Getting to Know You” Game for Your Family Reunion

A family reunion “Brag Badge” is a small tag, somewhat resembling a “military dog tag” that represents the hobbies, interests, occupations and accomplishments of members of your family.

Collecting Brag Badges is so much fun that quite often children in the family will see a badge they want to earn and they’ll run off looking for a family member that will help them earn badge they desire and they’ll connect with a new cousin, aunt or uncle or be surprised by the accomplishments or interests of a favorite relative.

With Brag Badges, family members will have fun discovering their relatives that love ice cream, pizza and dancing. They’ll find relatives that drive trucks, teach school and relatives that have been to Hawaii. They’ll find relatives that are Eagle Scouts, Veterans and couples that have been married for 50 years. They’ll discover relatives that share their same birth month, like to read, play baseball and so much more.

Brag Badges are a perfect way for your family to to show off their interests, talents and achievements and are great way for family members to get to know each other!

When I use Brag Badges at a family reunion I require that badges are signed before they can be earned so that family members will always remember who the relative was that helped them earn the badge.

I display my brag badges at our family reunions in needle craft organizers you can purchase by following the link below. I like to leave the badges on a table and let reunion goers supervise themselves. You can purchase the needlepoint cases in the Family Reunion Store. If using all of the badges included in this download you will need to purchase several cases.

The graphics on these badges are so cute your family will love them! Over 60 different “Brag Badges” are included in this digital download- all in bright COLOR! There are 4 of each design but you can print as many copies as you need- depending on the size of your family. You don’t need one of each design for everyone in your family- it makes badges more valuable if the the number is limited.

Print the Brag Badges on card stock, laminate, cut and punch a hole in the top of each badge. The hole is for the ball bead chain to wear around your neck and to display the Brag Badge discoveries you have made. You can purchase 50 chains in the Family Reunion Helper store for less than $8.00.

This fun family reunion resource includes over 60 brag badges in color and printer friendly version. Brag Badges help family members connect in a way they will never forget. You can purchase a complete set of Brag Badges in the Family Reunion Helper Store

Family Reunion Helper is Having a Sale!

Posted on January 13, 2019 by Aunt Mo

FAMILY REUNION HELPER IS HAVING A SALE IN THEIR ETSY SHOP!
Until midnight tonight, you can purchase any family reunion theme package using our special ETSY coupon.

Follow the link below to receive $5.00 off any reunion theme package.

FIVEOFF coupon

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Aunt Lynn’s Camping Match Game

Posted on October 16, 2018 by Aunt Mo

Aunt Lynn’s Camping Match Game has been a favorite activity at our family reunions for over 20 years. You play this game like you do most match games but instead of only one winner, everyone that finds a match receives a prize.

To play the game lay the cards face down on a flat surface.

Youngest player goes first.

Players take turns turning over 2 cards at a time.

The cards must be turned over completely so that all players can see them. A player makes a “match” if the two cards turned over are identical. (When printing the cards you will need to make two copies)

When a match is made the player puts the pair of cards beside them and takes the prize associated with that match. (see list below) and the next player takes their turn. We don’t let the person that finds a match continue to make matches until they don’t make a match. That way more people are able to earn prizes.

Examples of prizes for matches include-

Hike- Rocky Road

Logs- Tootsie Roll

Mosquitos- Slap Stick

Mountains- Mounds

You can give a grand prize to the player with the most matches if you want to.

You can download the complete printable game here.

Lynn’s camping gamez.pdf

Punch a Bunch Party Game- DIY

Posted on April 5, 2018 by Aunt Mo

My family is really enjoying punch boards. A punch board is an exciting way to award prizes. This game show activity allows each person to punch through the tissue paper to find a toy or treat, or whatever you decide to put in it. We have even put gift cards in them. Punch boards are perfect for family reunions, especially if your theme is a circus or carnival theme.

You’ve seen punch boards on the popular TV game show, The Price is Right, but a punch board can be a fun addition to your family reunion. A punch board is a fun way to distribute prizes bit you can also use a punch board to make assignments or choose what activity you will do next.

A larger board can also be a fair way to divide into teams- for example- write families names on slips of paper (Aunt Geri’s family or Uncle Dan’s family etc.) Punch two or more holes- those families join together to make a tug a war, softball or family skit group. You can use the same strategy to assign seating for meals to mix things up a bit.

We have one punch board at our house that we change to fit the theme of the party we are having. If you’re having a super hero party or reunion the punch board becomes the perfect- Smash Hulk board.

Creating Your Punch Board

To create your punch board you will need:

sturdy poster board or a piece of cardboard
tissue paper
Plastic disposable bowls, lunch sacks or sandwich bags
prizes
tape & hot glue
The first punch board we created we used one sheet of tissue paper to cover the entire back of the board. Since then we have found that covering each hole with individual squares seems to work best as punching one hole may pull the paper from around other holes. Tape each square securely around individual holes.
Behind the Punch Board

There are several options for hiding prizes behind your punch board. My favorite option is plastic bowls. Carefully run a line of hot glue around the rim of your bowl and attach it to the inside of the tissue covered holes, with the prize inside. Be sure and put your prize or secret message inside the bowl before attaching it to the board. Other options include taping a lunch sack to the back of each hole or plastic sandwich bags.

Punch boards also make fun advent calendars. Create yours with 24 holes and 24 prizes. Punch out one prize each day to help count down days until Christmas or your favorite holiday.

It wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t admit to you that building your own punch board may drive your crazy. Taping all the bags on the back and making sure the prizes stay in place can be frustrating so if you don’t want to go through the hassle of making your own punch board you can purchase a reasonably priced board by following this link.

https://www.shindigz.com/personalized-prize-punch-game/p/GAMPAB?gclid=CjwKCAjwypjVBRANEiwAJAxlImgxyEZ7zdpjd0JzEVlt4UsIbx24ynwBLB78oJ53fDilfdoFGewT2xoCFD8QAvD_BwE

Personalized Prize Punch Game

Shrink, Shrank, Shrunk

Posted on April 2, 2018 by Aunt Mo

ShRink Art for Your Family Reunion

I’ve been a Shrinky Dink fan for probably 30 years or better, way before they had the fancy kits they have now. When I first started making Shrinky DInks we called them Shrink Art and we used either plain sheets of plastic or clean or clear #6 plastic we got from the bakery.

In case you don’t know what I’m talking about, Shrink Art is made with thin plastic sheets that shrink down about 45% when you put them in the oven. Not only does the material shrink, but whatever artwork you draw/print on them will also shrink with it. So, you can draw and color a design in it’s large form where it is easy to see and work with and then shrink it down so it is more the size of a charm or an ornament.

I love to use shrink art for family reunions and parties. They make great dog tags, charms, pins and beads. Our Oz inspired family reunion includes a template to be used with Shrink Art. We had so much fun making the dog tags and our family loved wearing them during the reunion.

To make Shrink Art,preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit

Trace your design on the plastic using a permanent marker such as a Sharpie marker. You can draw your own design or trace a clip art picture you found on the internet or use a coloring page.

Color your picture with permanent markers or colored pencils. If your plastic has a rough side, color on that side.

Cut out your picture and if you will be putting it on a string or chain punch a hole in it. You will not be able to make any holes or cuts once your picture has baked as it will be too thick.

Line a cookie sheet or tray with foil or baking paper. Arrange your pictures,color side up on the tray.

Bake in the oven for 3- 5 minutes. Keep your eye on them as they bake (that’s half the fun). At first your pictures will curl up but don’t panic, they will flatten out again. Once they flatten out bake for a few more seconds then remove from the oven. If they aren’t quite flat you can flatten them by pressing them a little more with a hot pad or wooden spoon.

When cooled remove them from the pan and you’re ready to use and enjoy your Shrink Art.

The Shrinky Dinks brand makes some fun pre-printed designs that you can purchase if you want to try out the process before striking out on your own. You can purchase the pre- printed Shrinky Dink designs or sheets of plain Shrinky Dink plastic by following the link below.

Fool Your Family With These Family Friendly Pranks

Posted on March 19, 2018 by Aunt Mo

Our top 5 April fools tricks and treAts

When my kids were little, it became tradition at my house to have “funny” food for one of our April Fools Day meals. For many years I made “Flannel” pancakes. I don’t know why but I fooled my family for probably 5 years in a row with my flannel pancakes.

Now that my kids are grown with kids of their own we continue the tradition but have added additional pranks- my favorite being my delicious Aprils Fools Brownies. Actually they are BROWN- E’s.

Brown- E’s

To make my delicious Brown-E’s I put a bunch of brown capitol E’s in my special brownie pan and cover it with foil. At the end of dinner I ask everyone if they still have room for a brown-E. This prank has been going on for about 3 years and I’m afraid this year the older grandkids will remember this trick.

For Sale Sign

Another fun way I’ve fooled my grandkids, which all live with a 1/2 mile of my house, is to put a “For Sale” in my front yard. They didn’t that was very funny and fortunately, neither did our good neighbors.

Frozen Breakfast

Put cereal and milk in a bowl and let it freeze overnight. You can freeze it with the spoon in it or not. The next morning right before breakfast, take the bowl out of the freezer and pour a little bit of fresh milk on top.When your hungry kids try to dig in, they’ll find that their cereal won’t budge.

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Flannel Pancakes

When cooking pancakes put a piece of white flannel, about 3”x3”, into each pancake and cook as usual. Flannel makes pancakes impossible to cut and eaters will become quite frustrated until they realize they’ve been fooled. This is an easy trick to do when serving many people. Put one flannel pancake on a plate with two or three other pancakes.

Non-drinkable Juice

What you’ll need:
Clear drinking glasses, Jell-o, Straws

The night before make some jell-o in clear juice glasses. Use a flavor that matches the juice they drink – such as grape, orange etc. Fill the glass about ¾ full and after it starts to set, insert a drinking straw. Once it is set, it will look like a normal glass of juice with a straw in it. Simply set it at their place at the breakfast table. Provide spoons so they can eat the gelatin when they realize they can’t drink it.

And here’s one more fun idea. Take a few quarters and Gorilla glue them on the sidewalk or walkway leading up to your house. When the grandkids, or your guests, try to pick them up they’re stuck. Warning- the glue will leave a dark spot on your concrete when you pry it off.

St Patrick’s Day Party Games

Posted on March 5, 2018 by Aunt Mo

Game Ideas for Your Irish Party

Whether celebrating St Patrick’s Day or considering your Irish roots at your next family reunion here are a couple of fun Irish game ideas.

Musical Shamrock Game

Make very large green shamrock shapes about 2 feet square. They don’t need to be fancy just simple shamrock shapes. The ideas is similar to “musical chairs” game- you want to have fewer shamrocks than players. Scatter shamrocks over the playing area. Explain that as the music plays all the players must keep moving but must stay off the shamrocks. When the music stops players run to a shamrock. However, each shamrock must have three players on it. Those with only one or two as well as those that have nowhere to stand are eliminated. Remove a shamrock or two after each round. (You always want to have fewer shamrocks than players) Winners of the game are those who have not been eliminated when only one shamrock remains. Give out green lollypops, cupcakes or stickers for prizes.

Irish Scavenger Hunt

Divide into teams, giving each team an identical list of green items. Tell each team that they must stay together when searching for their green items.

Some ideas to search for:

Something that grows green
Something you are wearing that is green
Green crayon, green colored pencil, green marker
Find a plastic item that is green
Find something soft that is green
Something hard that is green
Find something you can build with that is green
Green snack
3 leaf clover
Fruit that is green
Vegetable that is green
Pop Can

Irish “Road Bowling” Game

Croquet is supposed to have come from a game called Crookey in Northern Ireland but another fun “real” Irish game is “Road Bowling”.
Road bowling is an unusual version of bowling that is particular to Ireland. It is played with a steal shot, (or use your own idea for a ball of some sort) which is tossed under arm by the player down a twisty road. The player who gets to the finish line with the least amount of throws wins.

Why should you never iron a 4-leaf clover? You
don’t want to press your luck.

May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow, and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.

Olympic Crossword Puzzle

Posted on February 13, 2018 by Aunt Mo

Check out this fun Olympic themed crossword taken from the pages of our Olympic themed family reunion and party.
http://familyreunionhelper.com/products/products.php…

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