PSYCH! A Multiplayer Game For Your Phone and… Your Family Reunion

Posted on June 11, 2017 by Aunt Mo

I recently attended my nieces wedding, luncheon and reception. Everything was beautiful and I loved being part of the festivities but like most weddings and such there is a lot of downtime for those of us who are basically spectators. During one of these downtimes my brother introduced us to a fun game you can play on your phone that involves everyone.

Image result for Psych! app

The name of the game is Psych! Choose from a variety of fun categories in which each player makes up fake answers to real trivia questions.

According to the games own description- the idea behind the game is to get together with a bunch of friends and answer ridiculous trivia questions. The catch is, the multiple choices you’re given include the correct answer as well as a bunch of incorrect answers which are provided by the other players. So, say for instance the question popped up of “Who is the Editor in Chief of TouchArcade?” “Eli Hodapp” would be in there somewhere, along with whatever else anyone playing decides to toss into the mix as possible answers.

Image result for Psych! app

Anyone who knows me will understand that, after playing a few rounds of Pysch! with my family, my “reunion” brain kicked into gear and I immediately began to think of ways to use the game at a family reunion.

Can you imagine how excited the teenagers in your family would be if you asked them to get their cellphones for a game they would be playing. Psych! is a clever way to get family members that just can’t seem set their cellphones down to join in a game or activity to participate with the group.

Psych! is also a pretty fun way to get to know family members that you see only once a year at the family reunion. Some of the game options give you a real opportunity to see into your cousin’s psyche.

“PSYCH!” is the perfect app for game night, road trips, or even waiting in line. So grab your phones, gather ‘round, and get ready for a gaming experience unlike anything you’ve ever tried!

NOTE:There’s in-game ads as well, which can be removed for $2.99. If you’re just downloading the game to play with a friend (who might have bought a ton of stuff in-game), it’s totally free.

Mashed Potato Bar

Posted on June 7, 2017 by Aunt Mo

What’s a Mashed Potato Bar?

I had never heard of a “Mashed Potato Bar” until recently when my daughter came home from a family function with her husband’s family and they had hosted a mashed potato bar. My daughter raved about how delicious and fun the mashed potato bar was.

Of course, I’ve eaten at lots of baked potato bars and for any years a potato bar was our go to meal at family gatherings but a mashed potato bar is a fun new twist to that traditional and rather over done family reunion meal.

Here’s how you put a Mashed Potato Bar together for your next family reunion or party.

Of course, the main ingredient is mashed potatoes. You can make your own (see recipe below) or you can use already prepared potatoes such as the ones Costco carries.

Image result for costco mashed potatoes

Mashed Potato Bar Toppings Ideas

Serve your potatoes in large crock pots to keep the potatoes warm and set out various toppings. I’ve listed a few of our favorites but use your imagination to customize to your needs:

Sour cream
Chopped green onions
Mushrooms
Olives
Crumbled bacon
Finely shredded cheese
Steamed broccoli
Chopped Ham
Shredded chicken
Whipped butter
Sour cream
Frozen Peas
Ranch salad dressing
Grilled zucchini and summer squash
Caramelized onions and peppers
Freshly grated Parmesan
Tomato salsa
Tomatoes
Jalapenos
Grilled tri-tip sliced thin
Onion crisps
Country Gravy (I like to stay away from gravy, it’s the obvious choice and people aren’t’ as creative if they have gravy as a choice)
Salt and pepper

The Idaho Potato Board has their own list of ingredients for a Mashed Potato Bar which you can find by clicking on the link below.

https://idahopotato.com/recipes/mashed-potato-bar

Serve on plain plates or bowls or fancy things up a bit by using goblets as your dishes. You can always find a miss-matched assortment of goblets and wine glasses at your local DI or Goodwill.

Image result for potato bar toppings

A good basic mashed potato recipe includes just a few ingredients. Note: Baking and Russet potatoes tend to be heavier and starchier than Yukon Gold potatoes.

Basic Mashed Potatoes Recipe

8 Potatoes
1/2 Cup melted butter
1 can Evaporated Milk ( I melt my butter in a bowl with the milk for creamier potatoes.
Salt
Fresh Pepper

Peel and dice potatoes and put in pot of boiling salted water. Cover and simmer until potatoes are fork tender (20-30 minutes, depending on quantity of potatoes). Remove from heat and drain.
Mash potatoes with a potato masher or a hand mixer.
Add butter and milk

While doing research for this article I found this cute Mashed Potato Bar sign on Etsy. The name of the shop that offers it for sale is the TheDoodleCoop.

Potato Bar Sign, Mashed Potatoes Sign, Make Your Own Loaded Potato Printable, Wedding Reception, Sweet Sixteen, Birthday Party, Potato Bar

TheDoodleCoop

Be sure and sign up to receive a copy of familyreunionhelper.com’s FREE reunion cookbook HERE

Mafia Themed Activities for Your Family Reunion or Party

Posted on May 26, 2017 by Aunt Mo

Let us make you an offer you can’t refuse-

When it was first suggested that we use “Mafia” as our theme for the Stewart family reunion I was a little apprehensive but after three days of Mafia activities over Labor Day I’ve decided that “Mafia” is just another word for “Family”. Family can also be friends, and so a Mafia theme for a reunion or party is a great idea. Included in this party pack are invitations and activities for a party or reunion for either your friends or your family.

You will have fun creating Mafia names for your guests using the list of names and name tags included in this party theme package.

Guests can also fill out an application to join the Mafia using the “Complete Mafia Dictionary” to decipher Mafia lingo.

Test your Mafia IQ to see if you should be “The Boss” or “Knuckles”.

If you are having an indoor party consider playing the party game, “Mafia”. The game of Mafia is all about the power of bluffing and knowing when other people are bluffing themselves. You can be a member of the Mafia, a towns person, the FBI or the Moderator in this elimination and guessing game. You will vote out other players and try to avoid being murdered in the middle of the night by the Mafia!

If you planning an outside party play “Steal the Flag” using marshmallow shooters. Instructions for making custom shooters are included.

Mafia Party

Printables include invitations, The “Complete Mafia Dictionary”, Mafia Application, Mafia funny money, Mafia IQ test, water bottle labels, Mafia name tags and playing cards for the game, Mafia.

Cosa Nostran (This thing is ours!)

Mafia reunion or family party

Family Reunion Bingo

Posted on April 16, 2017 by Aunt Mo

Family reunion bingo is a great ice breaker activity for family reunions or parties of any kind. I created a family reunion bingo card several years ago that we have used over and over again. I recently received a request to create some variations to the original game and mix things ups a bit. The competed Bingo game cards are below and ready for you to play.

Family Reunion BINGO- the Basic Game

Give family members a BINGO card and a pencil and allow a few minutes for your family members to mingle as they get signatures in the bingo squares that apply to them. You can only use a person’s signature once on your bingo sheet. The game can end at this point with prizes for everyone that completely fills up their BINGO card or you can take the game a step further.

Family Reunion BINGO Variation

Write everyone’s name on a piece of paper and put it in a hat. Pull a name out of the hat one at a time and read it out loud. If a person has that name on their sheet they can put an X on that square. If they don’t have that name they do nothing. Keep drawing names from the hat until someone get a BINGO by competing a row, column, or diagonal with X’s.

I have created 5 variations of my original BINGO card that you can download and print by clicking on the file below.

Find Someone BINGO.pdf

Superhero Reunion Theme

Posted on March 9, 2017 by Aunt Mo

Family Reunion Helper proudly announces the completion of their latest family reunion theme- Superhero!

Now you can bring all the action-packed adventure and excitement of your favorite superheroes to your family reunion!

A superhero reunion will appeal to family members of all ages. Superheroes have unique skills, wear awesome costumes and save the world on a daily (sometimes hourly) basis.

A superhero family reunion lends itself to action-packed games, superhero training and fun activities.

This reunion theme package includes a fun printable reunion invitation, secret super power cards, water bottle labels, superhero training cards, “what’s my super power?” activity, Kapow!, Boom! and Zap! signs and fun printables for napkin rings and table decorations.

Our superhero reunion is jam packed with more than 35 pages of ideas for many of your favorite superheroes: Batman, Spider-man, Thor, Hulk, Captain America, Iron-man, Flash, Hawk-eye and even Aqua-man.

With the Superhero reunion theme your family will want to save helpless citizens, fight the forces of darkness and defeat the evil villains. Plan a superhero reunion and let your families’ powers shine. Whether they’re saving the planet or saving your family, a superhero family reunion or party will be a memorable reunion for anyone who has ever yearned to make right what’s wrong in the world.

You can find the superhero reunion theme at Family Reunion Helper.com and by clicking on the link below.

Piñatas- a Smashing Good Time!

Posted on March 5, 2017 by Aunt Mo

Piñatas are a fun activity for birthdays, celebrations and family reunions and because they’re made with paper Mache paste and newspaper strips they’re inexpensive to make though can be expensive to fill. You can make your own piñata or buy one in any shape or design that will add to your party’s theme.

Traditionally, to play the piñata game,you blindfold the first child in line and turn them around three times, and give them a wooden stick so they can swing at and if lucky, hit the piñata.

Piñata Fun with Dice

At a recent family reunion we did a fun variation of smashing the piñata by using a large dice made from a square box. Each child rolled the “dice” to determine how many swings with a stick they would have at the piñata. If they roll a four they try to hit the piñata 4 times.

HINT: When planning to use a piñata as one of your activities be sure to have a plan for how you will hang it up- tree, a beam if inside or 2 adults could hold a rope or a pole with the piñata hanging in the middle. For safety’s sake keep everyone away from the person swinging at the piñata.

Pull Piñatas

”Pull” piñatas are perfect for small children or for times when sticks may not be appropriate. Fill them with treats as you would a classic piñata and instead of hitting it with a stick just choose a ribbon and pull to release the trapdoor and the treats.

Image result for pull pinatas

Piñata Cakes

One of the most clever ideas I’ve seen on Pinterest recently is a piñata cake. No smashing involved with this piñata but you will find plenty of treats inside. Below are some quick instructions but for more detailed information click on the photo below- they’re the real experts.

A piñata cake is simple to make- just make a 3 layer, round cake. Leave two of the layers intact for the top and the bottom. Frost the bottom layer.

For the third layer, the middle layer, cut the center out and place the remaining ring on top of the bottom layer. Fill the center of the cake with small, unwrapped candies such as M and M’s or Skittles. Make sure you fill the cavity to the top with candy. Frost this layer then top with the remaining cake layer.

Frost and decorate the cake as desired.

Human Piñata

If you haven’t already, don’t forget to read about “HUMAN” piñatas. Just follow the link below to read about all the crazy fun!

What’s Your Leprechaun Name?

Posted on March 2, 2017 by Aunt Mo

Post a copy of this printout at the entrance to your St Patrick’s Day Party along with name tags and markers. Party goers figure out their “Leprechaun” name, write it on a name tag and go by that name during the party.

I put my 1st grade aged grand-daughter in charge of this activity at our St Patrick’s Day breakfast. She really had fun helping everyone’s leprechaun name and carefully wrote it on name tag stickers.

This was a very simple activity that was actually very fun and good for a few laughs. My leprechaun name is Merry McMagic. What’s your leprechaun name?

Going Away Party For Your College Bound Student

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Aunt Mo

If you have a high school graduate that is looking forward to graduating and heading off to college you might want to plan a going away party. As part of the “Aloha” fun plan a fun “ Day in the Life” relay race.

Use your imagination and personalize challenges to your student’s situation. For instance, you might want to use the following challenges:

Doing Laundry Challenge
Have a couple of dish towels and clothespins that must be hung on the line before moving to the next challenge.

Garbage Challenge
Make several newspaper “balls” by squishing newspaper together. Place a garbage can several feet away. Before moving to the next challenge you must toss 3 newspaper balls into the garbage.

Gym Time Challenge
Pick up a couple of 5 lb. weights and run from point A to point B.

Grocery Carry Challenge

Put a few canned goods in a grocery bag- carry the bag from point A and point B.

Hot Tub Challenge
Use a low bucket with warm water- time ends when BOTH feet are in the “hot tub”.

The person with the fastest time receives a gift bag of apartment cleaning supplies.

Aquaman Super Hero Training

Posted on February 9, 2017 by Aunt Mo

Who is Aquaman and why should he be a featured hero at your superhero reunion or party?

Aquaman is the king of all things aqua. He can breathe underwater, swim at tremendous speeds, and telepathically communicate with sea life. Being able to withstand ocean depths, he gets bonus points on land with his superhuman strength, enhanced senses, and nearly impenetrable skin.

I never knew there was a superhero named Aquaman but I’ve got to tell you- if you’re around a pool or lake or some other water source, Aquaman gives endless opportunities for water competitions and games. Try some of our favorite Aquaman training activities:

Aquaman Treasure Hunt

Collect a bunch of pennies, nickels and other coins and throw them into the pool. Be sure to throw coins in different depths of the pool to accommodate all swim skill levels. Line kids up on the side of the pool and on the word go they jump into the pol and collect as many coins as possible. When all the coins are found, count them and add up the value. The one with the most money is the winner.

Aquaman Underwater Training

Participants line up on one side of the pool, On the word “go” they jump into the pool and swim as far as they can under water. Depending on the size of the pool and the abilities of the swimmers, they may be able to swim more than one lap.

Aquaman Enhanced Senses Training

Use a pint water bottle with a white cap and filled it with water from the pool. Line the swimmers up on one side of the pool facing away from it. When they hear the bottle hit the water they can jump in and begin hunting for it. The swimmer that finds the bottle is the winner. You can play this game over and over.

Of course swimming races are fun and since Aquaman can swim at tremendous speeds, a real natural for your superhero training.

Be sure and check out more superhero family reunion ideas by clicking on the picture below.

Thanksgiving Gumdrop Turkeys

Posted on November 18, 2016 by Aunt Mo

Thanksgiving gumdrop turkeys for your Thanksgiving table.

I’ve searched all over the internet for gum drop turkeys as cool as the ones my brothers and I made when we were growing up, but it appears those turkeys were one of a kind creations from my Mom.

My Mom always put her four children in charge of making the 30- 50 gum drop turkey favors for our Thanksgiving family gathering. The turkeys were so simple to make that we required no supervision and popping a few raisins or candy corns in our mouth as we were creating them took the edge off our Thanksgiving hunger. In fact, making gum drop turkeys soon became a tradition at my house when I had children of my own.

Over the years I exchanged the raisins we used to use for Craisens and brown toothpicks for brightly colored ones. Hint- always use Braches candy corns- they are softer and don’t crumble as easily when you stick a toothpick in them. Large gum drops can be difficult to find, but after extensive searching, I was able to find some on the bottom shelf, hidden behind a garbage can, (no kidding) on the Wal-mart candy isle.

As I was writing this blog, my 32 year old son walked into the kitchen where I was taking pictures and said, “Gum drop turkeys, I remember making those!” Just proves that something doesn’t have to be expensive, complicated or elaborate to make a lasting family memory.

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble!

Aunt MO

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!

– Author unknown

Family Reunion Helper

Your number one source for family reunion organization

Category Archives: Family Fun