How to Throw a Really Fun Block Party

It's not too early to be thinking of block parties, and a well-planned party means less stress and more fun. Let's get busy!

Rules

Find out what your community's rules are for block parties. Some cities require a petition signed by 80% of the neighbors to barricade the block to motor traffic for the afternoon. You may need to pick up the petition at city hall.

Invite & Plan

Send out invitations to all neighbors, inviting them to a planning meeting. Be sure to mention that refreshments will be served. If you feed them, they will come.

At the meeting

1. Choose a date and a theme.

2. Ask for volunteers to:

• Make a flyer to announce the party - date, time, price, details.
• Pass out the flyers*
• Circulate the petition
• Purchase paper goods (plates, cups, tablecloths, napkins, etc.)
• Make decorations - theme compatible flags, streamers, etc.,
• Purchase eggs for egg toss
• Purchase water balloons and fill them the day of the party
• Take pictures and/or video
• Organize kids' games ( relay races, piñata, candy scramble, etc.)**
• Purchase prizes and buckets of sidewalk chalk.
• Assemble raffle baskets.***
• Make banner****

Decide what kind of entertainment you want ( DJ, Karaoke, Clown, Magician) and who will make the arrangements.

Decide on a nominal charge per person or family to cover the cost of supplies, prizes, entertainment, etc.,

Discuss food. Will one person grill burgers or chicken and the others bring salads, side dishes and desserts or will each family provide their own meal?

*If flyers are sent out before the petition, neighbors will be expecting the petitioner.

** Often, no adult wants to handle all the kids' games. In that case, have each family with children run one game.

***Raffle baskets are fun. They can include anything donated by neighbors, such as handmade crafts, home canned jelly, playing cards, movie tickets, cookies, games, etc., or some neighbors can canvass the local merchants for donations. A free pizza coupon or video rental can help a business build up clientele in a neighborhood.

****Making a Banner is fun and festive. Each family can have a photo taken under the banner.

Miscellaneous:

Kids love sidewalk chalk and it's inexpensive. Since the street is blocked to all motor traffic, let them color all over the pavement. It hoses off easily or just wait for rain.

It's fun to begin the party with a parade. On the flyer, invite the kids to decorate their bikes, wagons, scooters, and pets for the parade and list the time and place to assemble.

 After the Party:

Gather informally to discuss which things were popular and which were not. It will help to write it all down for next year's planning meeting, along with costs, time spent, etc., Ask someone to store the supplies for next year.

Making a banner with removable numbers is a time saving idea.

You may want to make a checklist and copies for future years. Include all tasks as stated above.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Make sure the children understand that block party day is the ONLY day they may play and ride bikes in the street.

Make sure all neighbors are aware that there is NO motor traffic whatsoever on the street during the party hours.

These rules cannot be overstated for the safety of all.

Have fun!

Sample Flyers

Kick off the event with a bike parade!  Prizes for best decorated bike.