Inexpensive, Fun Ways to Jazz Up Your Neighborhood Block Party

An old-fashioned block party can be one of the true delights of summer. Getting the neighbors together to mingle is not only loads of fun, but it helps keep your neighborhood safe by providing a sense of community and friendship.

Let’s think outside the traditional party box, beyond the ho-hum hot dog and potato salad fare… Here are some ideas that are sure to ignite the neighborly spirit and bring families together for some cool summertime fun.

Play with a Theme: Food, decorations, games, even clothing, can all revolve around a theme. Fourth of July is an easy one. But, Christmas in July can turn a ho-hum gathering into a Ho-Ho event. Break out those twinkle lights and holiday lawn decorations!

Consider incorporating a Rib Fest where everyone cooks, eats, and judges a slab of ribs. If you’re all fans of a professional or college sports team, think about a sports theme.  A successful block party might involve choosing an Olympic theme and running with it. For example, each household selects a country, makes the appropriate flag, plans to play a simple version of that country’s national game, and then offers a meal/dish that is popular from that country. Not only will it be a great learning experience for the kids, but they will have fun playing some new games.

Silly Activities Lighten the Mood: Volleyball and badminton are great for the sporty types, but fun and funny activities really bring people together. Consider games with unlikely pairings: a parent and child relay race or grown-ups careening down the block on tricycles. A contest such as the limbo or hula-hoop allows spectators and players to get involved. A pie-eating contest can be the highlight of the night. Simply spray whipped cream into a pie pan, have people hold their hands behind their backs, lean forward, and dig in! Kids love watching their parents get messy almost as much as parents love to act silly.

Keep the Area Small: The block may be long, but don’t use all of it. Set up just a section for a registration table, a food buffet, and tables for dining. Establish a registration area where families pick up nametags with house numbers. As people sign in, have them write down their email address to help keep everyone in touch. Have a few long tables to encourage people to eat with other families. You can decorate the area with balloons and festive tablecloths (especially fun if you have a theme!) Then use the rest of the street for games, crafts, and bike riding.

Mix and Mingle with a Jingling Beat: Have a few pre-planned, traditional games to break the ice. Consider a Neighborhood Trivia Contest (who has gone skydiving? who has lived in more than three states?) Collect a fact from each attendee when RSVPs are received. At the party, everyone must try to figure out who matches up with each fact.  Plan a group photo and include a funny face shot. Email it to everyone later. Twenty questions remains a classic for good reason (pin a celebrity on a person’s back; they get 20 yes or no questions to determine the answer.) Don’t get too unusual or shocking in the games; the idea is just to get people mingling, talking, and laughing.

Block Banner: This is an activity and a decoration all in one. Cut a bed sheet in half and paint the block name. At the party, have everyone sign it and place their handprint on it. Hang it every year from two poles or trees in the street. Kids love to see how their hands have grown.

Talent Show: Now’s the time to reveal those hidden talents! Maybe you have a guitarist on your street or a comedian. Encourage people to get together and plan out a short sketch or comedy piece. Even a talented animal could have a turn in the spotlight. You may be surprised at the type of talent all around you (or at people’s willingness to perform despite a lack of talent!)  Use someone’s front porch as a stage and shine a light on it. A good game of charades also makes use of the front porch stage.

After Dark: For this, just let the classic activities shine. Teach the kids how to play Ghosts in the Graveyard. Light some sparklers. Bring out a fire pit and roast marshmallows. Sit back and enjoy the stars in your neighborhood.

In the morning, you can relive the previous night’s antics as you all help outside, pulling in lawn chairs, picking up garbage, and recycling cans.