Ideas for a SIMPLE Block Party

Get volunteers to distribute announcement and a reminder close to the event. My old neighborhood would get a few neighbors to bring their grills to the end of the street. Then everyone would bring their own hamburger meat to grill and a side dish or dessert to share. My new neighborhood just had one. Since the street was closed (permit from city), the kids played street games. I think a street hockey game would have gone over well too. Have fun and share the work!

Usually, the house that's hosting in my neighborhood does burgers & hotdogs & they ask everyone to bring a dish. Usually someone will step in and provide drinks too, but nothing fancy, just some capri suns for the kids ($2 for a 10 or 12 pack at Walmart) and some waters. We do ours on Halloween so there's no desserts since everyone's going to OD on trick or treat candies...

Good luck!

Hey W.! Can I come to your party? I can help!
M.

You are not providing EVERYTHING, right? I am sure others would be happy to pot luck.

We've had 2 parties at our house. We provided burgers, hot dogs and a bounce house. Everyone else brought something to share. We did it all outside. I have some 6ft tables, I got some party goods at big lots.

I was the primary coordinator. We delivered invitation flyers to everyone. The flyer stated what we were providing and asked for everyone to bring something to share. There was overwhelming response from others to pitch in and help. Everyone chipped in and we had a great time.

The other party got out of hand because we had people showing up that we did not even know. It was all outside as well. A "block party" that word of mouth spread and it ended up being many families in the neighborhood. It was a crawfish boil. We provided the crawfish, bounce house and DJ. We had tons of food and fun. The last count was 200+ at my house OUCH! I did not plan it that way. Everybody brought food and drink so we were not lacking at all for food/drink. It ended up being talked about for years in the neighborhood for a good party.

Have fun, try not to stree too much and delegate...

TF

The person who coordinates our block parties makes hamburgers and hot dogs, with chips, cookies, bottled water, and various canned drinks. It's simple, but fun! They also have a huge inflatable water slide. Donations are accepted to help with the cost, but not required. Everyone is more than happy to chip in! Everyone brings lawn chairs, and we all have a great time! They also arrange for a fire truck, ambulance, and police car to drop by for the kids to see. That's always a big hit! Also, don't forget nametags!!! I like the pumpkin carving contest idea!

Have a PINATA! Maybe move the time back a little (school night) costume contest...sidewalk chalk hopscotch/four square drawn w/ chalk
to 5:30/6pm? It may start getting to dark too... just a thought....
have FUN!

you could have them bring their own pumpkin and do the carving there at the party ... call it a pumpkin carving party. We had this with friends BEFORE halloween and had some come dressed in costumes if they wanted..... have some inexpensive carving tools there with stencils (cheap ones are at garden ridge, dollar stores, big lots, etc.).... and then do the judging there.
Little prizes for winners: Bath & Body Works hand soaps (usually on sale for 3 for $9-10; or 5/$15.) or dollar store Candles. Or $5-$10 starbucks gift cards.

there's something about having an activity to do at a party -- it helps break the ice and open up conversations more.

I would put on the flyer/invitation -- that it's a potluck so everyone can bring one dish/appetizer/dessert to help with the event.

think about things for the kids to do ... like sidewalk chalk, sidewalk art projects. jump rope. draw hopscotch on the sidewalks. have some soccerballs sitting out. and some baseball/baseball mits there so some people can throw the ball around.

Good for you that you're doing a block party!! Kudos!! People rarely do these anymore and so therefore, we don't know our neighbors as well as we should.