Block party

Tomorrow we are meeting at one of our neighbors houses to discuss having a block party this summer. This will be our first (they didnt have one last year when we moved in). My other neighbor who i am friendly with said they used to have one all the time but then some of the other neighbors started to cheap out and than some even suggested not inviting family and friends, just literally having the neighbors (which i think is weird so I hope they dont suggest this). I want to suggest some ideas like games and raffles, but dont really know of any good block party ones. I was also thinking a dj. What about things for the kids, what do they usually enjoy? Some of my neighbors are a little odd I think and some i haven't even met since we have been here this past year, so I can't wait to see how this goes.

Re: Block party

kids LOVE LOVE LOVE those blow up jumping things. You can rent them. They are fun!

Re: Block party

an ice cream truck

Re: Block party

We started having block parties about 5 years ago.

We have each family host a game (water balloon toss, egg toss, scavenger hunt, etc.) and that works out real well. We make a schedule of what game is where and when and pass it out.

Also, if you are having a DJ make sure it is a good oneand that they will do a lot of stuff for the kids during the day. We had one or two awful ones and it really makes a difference.

We have had it with friends and family and without - I like it with. I feel like the more the merrier.

Message edited 6/19/2007 6:31:36 AM.

Re: Block party

Wow...I remember my dad's block doing them. So much fun! Everyone was grilling, there was either a DJ or one family had the music going, can't remember, sprinklers were going off.

Remember a permit from the town and the highway trundle horse things to block the road from cars.

What about a cotton candy machine?
A photo booth?
Or hire a college student to do photoraphs, both casual and formal family portraits (not formal formal, but posed)

Re: Block party

We are having one and we get a bouncy house, 18 ft hight water slide, cotton candy, with an attendant, face painter, Ralph's italian ice cart and a DJ.

We usually get the DJ for later on in the day

Re: Block party

We just had our annual block party (2 weekends ago.) They get the blow up bouncy castle, there's an ice cream man, DJ, cotton candy. (I supplied the glow sticks. )

Basically, the women who run it send a letter to all the neighbors and ask that each family that wishes to attend to give $25 to help pay for the DJ, etc.. Everybody brings their own food/fluids and there's a BBQ setup where you can grill. Setup started at 3pm (bring your table & chairs) and the party started at 4pm. (They also set a rain date for the following day.)

As for games, I didn't see what games the kids were playing b/c I was busy chatting it up with my neighbors, but I did see them tying and hanging Entenmanns Donuts from a large stick.

For the adults, they did an egg toss contest. You were paired up with the opposite sex (they did "famous" couples...I had the luxury of being Judy Jetson ) and then they lined the women up across from the men. Everytime you successfully tossed the egg back & forth, you moved further away. Last couple standing with an intact egg wins.


I had an awesome time and told DH I wish we could have another this summer.

Message edited 6/19/2007 8:52:45 AM.

Re: Block party

our block does all kinds of games
egg toss, water balloon toss,
three legged race
potato sack race
the gong show (talent show)

a dunk tank is a good idea

also- we use a great dj, let me know if u are interested.

Re: Block party

Im bumping a few block party posts. hope you guys dont mind.

incase anyone has more feedback, and im sure many others will be throwing block parties this year.