So you’ve lived in the neighborhood for quite some time, but do you really know all the people down the block? It’s not unusual with our busy schedules and work to fly by the neighbors with only a wave and no major interaction. Bonding on the block with a party serves as a chance for your preschooler to acquaint with folks outside the immediate family. Putting together a block party isn’t all that different from organizing a child’s birthday party. And, the memories that follow are so well worth it – the chance for your children to meet new friends (both young and old) and for you to catch up with some friendly chatting.
Set the Date
I found the best time for a good turnout is to schedule your block gathering just before school is out for the summer. This way you don’t miss neighbors due to vacations. And while Saturdays may be the obvious choice, don’t forget about Sunday afternoons, too. It’s hard to fit everyone’s calendar, but if you notify your neighbors in advance, they can ‘save the date’. Set up a couple adults to either make phone calls or email the block participants. One important thing is to ask your local police and/or HOA if you need permission about closing your street to traffic. It’s easy to block the road with cones or barricades, but make sure it’s okay first.
Feeding the Crowd
When I participated in block parties, we had partial potluck, meaning some of the dads fired up some grills for the traditional hamburgers and hotdogs. The mothers brought yummy potluck dishes to share. My only advice is for the calling committee to make a checklist of foods so you don’t end up with all desserts or all salads. I once read advice where the households with even numbered addresses should prepare an entrée side dish and the odd numbered houses were asked to bring dessert. This works!
Entertaining the Group
Here are a couple ideas that are fun for block parties.
- Gather up the tricycles and bicycles for a parade of vehicles and races. The children use crepe paper, ribbons, and such to decorate their wheels. Then, there are age-based races for some competitive fun. Give out ribbons for winners and participation.
- Stage an amateur hour where neighbors (young and old) can show off their singing and dancing skills.
- Stretch a net across the road and participate in volleyball, badminton, and even water balloon toss games.
- Art and crafts is a classic for preschoolers and older kids. It can be as easy as sidewalk chalk drawings or as elaborate as t-shirt decorating. Get the teens to help the younger children.
- And lastly, hire or get a neighbor to be the DJ. This person not only plays some lively music, but also leads the group to family-friendly activities such as the limbo, doing the moonwalk, or country line dancing.
So, whether you have big kids, little kids, or no kids, a block party is simply to gather people of all ages to socialize and have a weekend blast!