We’re celebrating the surviving the family reunion season off by offering 20% off our reunion theme packages.
Yay, we did it! The “official” family reunion season has come to an end and we survived! To celebrate, FAMILY REUNION HELPER IS HAVING A SALE IN THEIR ETSY SHOP! Follow the link below to receive 20% off any reunion theme package.This even includes the wildly popular Family Reunion Brag Badges! But hurry, sale ends September 15th, 2020 .
At our back to school faculty meeting we played a game using the Goose Chase app. The entire time we were playing the game I kept thinking how fun this game would be for a family reunion- and I couldn’t wait to share it with you.
Here’s how it works. GooseChase is basically a scavenger hunt. You go to the Goose Chase website where you build your game. You give your game a name and can also set how long the game will run and whether there’s a password to join.
Each GooseChase game has a list of missions for participants to complete. You can create your mission list using their bank of 100+ tested missions or by designing your own from scratch.
Missions have a name, description, point value and an optional link or photo to provide extra information. To complete a mission, select it from the list and follow the instructions to receive the allotted points. Our team had 6 people in it and we piled into a car and drove around to complete our challenges. With real-time activity feeds and rankings, you’re able to see everything as it happens. At the end of the game we were able to watch a slideshow of all the photos & videos which was a ton of fun.
“GooseChase got people moving around, talking to each other and laughing. If I have any reservations about GooseChase it is the cost. It may be out of the reach for some family reunions and church groups but they do have an educational license for schools etc. and there is a free version if you only have 3 teams.
You can read more about GooseChase at GooseChase.
I’ve seen a lot of fun group games but when I was invited to participate in a “Flour” war I was totally blown away- almost literally. I had never seen such a thing but it was sure a good time for everyone that participated.
Here’s how it works. First thing is to make your flour “bombs”. Use small popcorn bags and fill them with flour. Twist the end tightly on each bag but don’t tie or tape it closed. You will want to make lots and lots of these.
At the beginning of the game, put all of the flour bombs on the dividing line between the two teams. Have players line up on their side equal distances from the dividing line.
When someone yells “go,” all players can make a run for the flour bombs and grab as many as they can. Then it becomes like Dodge Ball. Players throw their flour bombs to the opposing team. When you run out of flour bomb just pick up more from the ground.
The white marks left by the flour bombs will help settle disputes as to whether someone was hit or not. (Wearing dark shirts is recommended).
You might want to make rules about hoarding flour bombs, and remind teams that all hits must be below the neck. In most games, if you get hit you are out of the game but when throwing flour bombs everyone stays in the game and when the flour is all gone everyone lines up and awards can be given for the most flour and the least etc.
Flour wars is actually a real thing. For 200 years a battle has taken place in Ibi, Alicante, Spain. Not fought with swords or guns, but with flour and eggs. Every year on December 28th the town celebrates Els Enfarinats, better known as the Flour Fight Festival. This is Spain’s version of April Fool’s Day. At the end of the day there is a massive food fight, complete with fire crackers, to commemorate the day. I’m not sure I could handle the egg part of that competition but if Spain is part of your heritage it might be fun to share this information with your family.
And most importantly, the flour will disappear within 10 minutes of your battle but please be good stewards of the environment by picking up all the discharged bombs- paper popcorn bags..
Pancake bars are easy to put together and can easily be customized to your family’s needs. The toppings are limited only by your imagination and the pancake recipe can be your favorite store brand or a family favorite recipe.
I’ve hosted a couple of pancake bars over the years, and it’s one of my favorite ways to celebrate pretty much anything. Christmas, neighborhood get-togethers, church functions, birthdays and fund raisers or sleepovers. It can also be a pretty inexpensive way to do breakfast at a family reunion.
You can cook your pancakes on the spot or make a big batch of pancakes ahead of time. Just be sure to let your precooked pancakes cool then stack them between sheets of parchment paper and freeze them for later. When you’re ready to use your premade pancakes you can reheat the pancakes in the oven, microwave or Dutch oven.
I like to serve a variety of toppings with plenty of options for those that are eating healthy and for those that like to to make the craziest looking pancake they can.
The most popular item on my pancake bar is the spray whipping cream. When planning your pancake bar, you can really just think ice cream sundaes and that will help you come up with some fun toppings. Here’s some of our favorites:
You can serve your pancakes alone (which is what I like to do) or add a side of bacon,, sausage or eggs. Either way, everyone can find something to love on a pancake bar and no one should go away hungry.
Birdie In My Cup
Players form a circle and one player goes to the center with a cup of water or a squirt bottle. He says, “I have a little birdie in my cup. What color is he? He then goes around the circle and gives each player a chance to guess the color. If they guess correctly he flicks or sprays water on the the player. Then they switch places and that player becomes ”It”.
Sprinkler Red Light Green Light 
One child stands at the far side of the yard to be the caller and the rest of the children line up at the opposite side of the yard. Set up a sprinkler in the middle of the yard and turn it on. The caller will turn their back to the other kids and says “green light.” When they say green light, the rest of the kids will try to move across the yard to reach the caller. When the caller turns around and says, “red light,” kids have to freeze where they are. If they don’t freeze, they will be sent back to the starting line.
Whoever can tag the caller first wins and becomes the next caller.
For the Older “Kids”
Sponge Soaker
In sponge soaker, teams take turns running to a bucket to fill their sponge with water and run back (keeping the sponge above their head). Then squeeze it into an empty bucket, the winning team is the first to have a full bucket of water. You can also play this game with a glass of water instead of sponges.
WATER BALLOON DODGEBALL
Disclaimer: I’m not a fan of water ballo
ons. Water balloons are labor intensive and a safety hazard if you don’t get them all picked up, but I always make an exception for Water Balloon Dodge ball.
For this game you will need water balloons (about 5 per person) and a container. (To keep your balloons from breaking prematurely, fill the container with water so the balloons can float rather than put pressure on each other. If you prefer not to use water to fill your container, try a plastic trash bag: This allows the balloons to spread out and may help to relieve the pressure.)
Beach Ball Race. 
You’ll need an inflatable beach ball and water gun for each player. Designate a Starting Line and a Finish Line. To begin, line up the beach balls on the Starting Line. On “Go”, everyone shoots their balls with their water guns. The first ball over the finish line wins.
Freeze Water Gun Tag
You’ll need one water-gun. Select one player to be “It”. Give “It” the water gun, and on “Go” have “It” try to tag the other players by squirting them. Whoever gets tagged becomes frozen until another player crawls between their legs.
Water Surprise
This is my favorite game!
Put a line of cups on a table. Fill about half of the cups full with water and leave the other ones empty.
Play: Take turns and have each player one at a time choose a cup without looking (blindfold or cover their eyes). Once they’ve chosen the cup, they have to dump it on their head.
If there is water in the cup, they get wet and are out. If there is not water, they continue to the next round. The last dry kid standing wins.
For the Artsy Family Members
KOOL-AID PAINTING… Sprinkle unsweetened Kool-Aid on a piece a paper. Move a piece of ice over the Kool-Aid. Watch as the Kool-Aid turns to liquid and makes a yummy smelling picture.
You will need equal portions of water and corn starch and mix well. Mix by adding a little at a time of both the water and cornstarch until you have the quantity and texture that you want. Your paint” should be thick and not runny. (Remember, cornstarch will get super thick as you’re mixing and thin out when you stop.) Start with 1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp. cornstarch and add a little less than 1/4 cup of cold water. To make colors add a drop of food coloring. You can then use this paint to paint on the sidewalk. Give it a few minutes to dry and you’ll have a wonderful work of ART! It washes off easily with a pail of water or hose.
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:
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
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
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.
Uncle Steven attended a camp out with about 90 youth this past week. When he was telling me about the camp he said his favorite thing to eat was the Biscuit and Gravy casserole they had for breakfast. It sounded delicious and so I contacted the camp cook and she shared her recipe and I tried it out on my family. Kids and adults thought it was delicious and it was very easy to make.
Biscuits and Gravy Casserole Recipe
I made 2 cake pans (9×13) of this so I doubled the recipe. I used 1 lb sausage and 1 lb ground beef.
1 lb bulk pork breakfast sausage or ground beef
1 can (16.3 oz) Pillsbury™ Grands!™ Southern Homestyle refrigerated Buttermilk biscuits (8 biscuits)
1 pkg of biscuit gravy mix (should make 1 quart of gravy)
Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13×9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
In 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook sausage/ground beef until browned and thoroughly cooked.
Using another pan, cook gravy according to package directions.. Combine thickened gravy and meat. Spoon into a 9×13 dish.
Separate dough into 8 biscuits. Cut each biscuit into fourths. Top sausage mixture with biscuit pieces.
Sprinkle with a little cheese if desired.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until thoroughly heated and biscuits are golden brown.
Serve & enjoy but don’t plan on leftovers. I will use this recipe to feed family at two reunions this year. I think I’ll cook the meat and make the gravy in advance so I just need to assemble the casserole a couple of hours before we eat.
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 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.
