{"id":7955,"date":"2017-07-05T06:00:22","date_gmt":"2017-07-05T10:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.elfster.com\/?p=7955"},"modified":"2023-02-10T14:00:31","modified_gmt":"2023-02-10T19:00:31","slug":"plan-neighborhood-block-party-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.elfster.com\/blog\/2017\/07\/05\/plan-neighborhood-block-party-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Plan a Neighborhood Block Party This Summer"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A neighborhood gathering should include sidewalk chalk | Image courtesy Unsplash user Tina Floersch<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When I was growing up, we\u2019d pack into my mom\u2019s car and venture from our home in the countryside exactly one hour north to my auntie\u2019s house in the suburbs. We\u2019d arrive at her cul-de-sac in the warmth of a late summer afternoon, kids outdoors playing basketball or hockey and the sounds of laughter floating out from backyard swimming pools. More often than not, the sweet smell of barbecued burgers and hot dogs was also permeating the air. <\/span><\/p>\n

A few times a year, my auntie\u2019s neighborhood would come together to host a big block party. Between the invites, the group games, the street decor, and the food, I always thought there was something truly magical about those gatherings. So, thanks to some childhood inspiration from my aunt and her neighbors, here are some of my favorite ideas for how to plan a sun-sational neighborhood block party this summer\u2014complete with bacon potato salad.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Step #1: Creative Invites for Your Summer Neighborhood Block Party<\/h4>\n

I\u2019ve always been a fan of elaborate homemade invites. I can still recall getting a glitter-dusted mermaid invite to a friend\u2019s 7th birthday and how excited I was as the actual event approached.<\/p>\n

At first, inviting neighbors to their own neighborhood block party might seem a bit silly. But, someone has to do the organizing, and starting the fun off with a creative invite will get folks eager and excited to participate. This summer, ditch the traditional envelope and card invites and go for one of these unique variations when planning your block party. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Popsicle stickers will stick in their minds | Image courtesy Etsy seller StickerdoodleShop<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Door Knob Invites<\/b><\/p>\n

Custom door knob invites are sure to be noticed as they\u2019ll be the first thing to greet your neighbors when they arrive home. Keep it super simple with a phrase like, \u201cYou\u2019re invited to our annual neighborhood block party!\u201d Just be sure to include the date, time, and food and game details. Include an icon of a barbecue or a picnic spread if you want to get fancy!<\/p>\n

Popsicle Invites<\/b><\/p>\n

A forever-festive way to invite folks to a summer soire\u00e9 is by jazzing up your invites with a theme\u2014like popsicles! To create popsicle invites, simply cut bright card stock in the shape of a popsicle (or, basically, an elongated \u201cU\u201d), write out the event info on the front of the popsicle, then glue a popsicle or craft stick to the back.<\/p>\n

Sidewalk Chalk Invites<\/b><\/p>\n

The easiest way to get the whole neighborhood\u2019s attention is to make like a 5-year-old Banksy and get to work laying out the party details, in large print, right there on your street\u2019s sidewalks for all to see!<\/p>\n

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Step #2: Plan Neighborhood Block Party Games<\/h4>\n

When I was a kid, our driveway was roughly 1\/4 mile long, and it wasn\u2019t too often that we got folks making the trek up it unless it was pre-planned. When we\u2019d venture to my aunt\u2019s, though, whether for Christmas, <\/span>a 4th of July get-together<\/span><\/a>, or block parties, her lawn was front and center for all to see.<\/span><\/p>\n

Block parties are simply made for group games and contests that will get everyone mingling. Here are a couple ideas to jumpstart your imagination:<\/span><\/p>\n

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A neighborhood-sized game of tic-tac-toe | Image courtesy Etsy seller WildYouthLLC<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Front Yard Decorating Contest<\/b><\/p>\n

What better way to celebrate summer than by replicating the sandy feel of a pristine beach on your own lawn? <\/span><\/p>\n

The idea is simple: decorate your front lawn to resemble a tropical beach paradise. Ask all the neighbors who want to participate to chip in $5 for a prize. Then, on the day of the block party, everyone gets to vote on who the beachiest neighbor is. The winner gets a beach-related prize, like a one-night stay at a nearby coastal hotel or new matching bathing suits for the family, depending on how much prize money you collected.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Giant Lawn Tic-Tac-Toe DIY<\/b><\/p>\n

Sometimes, on those long and meandering days of summertime, nothing can beat a giant game of tic-tac-toe out in the sun. It\u2019s relaxing and entertaining, not requiring too much energy when you just want to take it easy. The best part about the lawn version of this game? You can create the board and playing pieces with anything you have on hand. My brother and I used to make our grid out of rope and use beach balls and hockey sticks as our X\u2019s and O\u2019s.<\/p>\n

For giant lawn tic-tac-toe, you can also spray paint your grid onto the grass, use yarn, or even pool noodles! For the X\u2019s and O\u2019s, try cutting them out from big pieces of cardboard. If your neighborhood is green and tree-filled, you can collect sticks and rocks as your playing pieces.<\/p>\n

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Step #3: How to Decorate for Your Neighborhood Block Party<\/h4>\n
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String up your excitement | Image courtesy Etsy seller FreshLemonBlossoms<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Street decor lets the world know you and your neighbors are ready to party! For a simple idea with a big impact, pick an original block party name that you can print on a banner, like <\/span>The Birch Street Annual Bash<\/span><\/i> or <\/span>The Party-Til-You-Drop on Pear Avenue<\/span><\/i>. Hang the banner from two tall ladders or trees and surround it with big bunches of helium balloons to make a statement.<\/span><\/p>\n

The best part is, this setup can also double as a spot for family portraits. Ask around to see who has a camera and set it up with a self-timer on a tripod. Or, if someone in the group is a self-proclaimed photographer, have them run the \u201cphoto booth\u201d station complete with props and inspirational poses. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Step #4: How to Feed the Masses at Your Neighborhood Block Party<\/h4>\n

One of my favorite aspects of block parties is that they offer a chance for people who perhaps don\u2019t know each other all that well to come together\u2014and nothing bonds like <\/span>food at a neighborhood block party<\/span><\/a>! The traditional staples for BBQ block party food are pretty simple, and there\u2019s really no need to complicate them\u2014burgers and franks.<\/span><\/p>\n

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BBQs bring everyone together | Image courtesy Unsplash user Matt Heaton<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

BYOC (Bring Your Own Condiments)<\/b><\/p>\n

Encourage invitees to bring their own condiments as everyone tends to have their own family favorites. In my neighborhood, there is a long-standing debate over yellow or honey mustard! Guests can BYOC in empty cupcake tins, anything from ketchup and mayo to homemade dill pickles and chopped red onion.<\/p>\n

The Main Dish<\/b><\/p>\n

For the main dish, have a few neighbors volunteer to set up their BBQs on a couple adjoining driveways. Round up a handful of people who will be the chosen meat flippers for the evening and assign party-goers to bring one of the following: hot dogs, hamburgers, or buns. Don\u2019t forget about the vegetarians, though!<\/span><\/p>\n

The Sides <\/b><\/p>\n

One of the best parts of pot-luck style food is the sides; this seems to be where people really let their creativity unfold. If you\u2019re looking to stray from the traditional, make a note on the invites or spread by word of mouth that families should feel free to bring out their own unique variation of traditional sides to contribute to the meal. Some ideas include:<\/span><\/p>\n