50+ Neighborhood Block Party Games & Ideas

Diverse Neighbors

A neighborhood is a group of people that share similar interests, opinions, cultures or ideas on trends. Since living in a constant state of community is an integral part of life, it is important to establish relationships with those in close proximity (maybe by even sharing your unused storage space with them). The best way to build relationships is to have a party! Check out these 50+ Neighborhood Block Party Games and Ideas!

Do you Know Everyone in Your Neighborhood?

Despite however busy our lives may become, it is crucial to be in communication with your neighbors and fellow community members. If you feel as though you are struggling reaching out or if your neighbors are having trouble opening up to you, consider hosting a community-oriented event that will assist in bringing those in your neighborhood closer together.

Ever Heard of a Block Party?

A block party or street party, is an outdoor public party that has been orchestrated by the residents of a city block or neighborhood. A block party offers the chance to meet up with your neighbors while getting to know them face-to-face. 

Neighborhood events are great way to bring communities closer together. Whether your intent is to help someone by raising money for their cause, celebrating something special, or simply wanting to get to know everyone in your area a little better, a community-hosted event can help you to do just that.

Here are some ideas for planning your next neighborhood block party:

50+ Block Party Game Ideas

  1. Host a Pool Party. If you are in close proximity to a pool or another large body of water, consider hosting your block party there. This is a great way to keep everyone entertained and cool during the hot summer months.
  2. Face Painting. Hire a professional or have someone in the community paint faces at your block party. This is often a cheap and fun incentive for the children at your block party.
  3. Fireworks. If you have the permission to do so, fireworks can be an exciting way to end the night.
  4. Karaoke. If no one in your community owns a karaoke machine, consider renting or making your own alternative. Karaoke is an activity that will be fun and hilarious for everyone at your block party.
  5. Bike Parade. Consider designating a time for kids to decorate their bikes, according to the theme of your block party, and then participate in your neighborhood block party bike parade.
  6. Invite the Fire and Police Departments. Invite your local officials to your neighborhood block party to help kids become better acquainted with them. They can even provide a safety demonstration for the families in your community.
  7. Water Balloon Toss/Fight. If having a pool for your neighborhood block party is out of the question, consider having water games instead.
  8. Arts & Crafts Table. If someone in your community is particularly crafty or if you choose to hire someone for your party, an arts & crafts table is a great way to keep kids entertained throughout your block party.
  9. Kids Talent Show. A kids talent show is another option to end off your neighborhood block party. Having kids practice their routine during the party is also a great way to keep them entertained and engaged.
  10. Outdoor Movie. Bring the party inside or consider renting a projector to display your neighborhood’s favorite movies at the end of the night.
  11. Adult Bake-Off. An adult bake-off or cook-off is a great way to get most of your community involved in your next block party. For additional fun, have tables set up for each entry and have your neighborhood vote on their favorite dish. This is one way to introduce great food to your party as well as a little friendly competition.
  12. Kids Bake-Off. Consider doing the same for the kids at your neighborhood block party, with less strict parameters.
  13. Group Grilling Area. One way to spend time with your neighbors is to section off a designated grilling area, separate from the rest of the block party.
  14. Photo Booth. Renting a photo booth is a great way to commemorate your block party for years to come.
  15. Egg Toss. An egg toss is a classic kid-friendly game that will bring both excitement and competition to your block party.
  16. Hire Entertainment. If you are having trouble coming up with a source of entertainment at your block party, try hiring someone. The addition of a comedian or magician will bring new life to your next neighborhood event.
  17. Hire a Band or Musician. Another way to liven up your block party is to hire a band or musician to perform. This is also a great option if you are looking to include a makeshift dance floor at your party.
  18. Scavenger Hunt. A scavenger hunt can be as detailed as you choose and will keep everyone involved for a considerable amount of time. Consider having prizes and rewards at the end to establish a friendly competition between partygoers.
  19. Petting Zoo. If you have the funds to rent a few animals from a local petting zoo, then this may be a great way to get your community involved at your next block party.
  20. Bean Bag Toss. A classic block party game is the bean bag toss, which can be fun for all ages.
  21. Three-Legged Race. Three-legged races are one way to involve adults and kids in a little friendly competition.
  22. Cookie Decorating Contest. A delicious way to keep both adults and kids entertained is to have a cookie decorating contest at your block party.
  23. Pumpkin Carving/Decorating. Depending on the season, consider carving or decorating pumpkins for the fall.
  24. Watermelon Spitting Contest. A watermelon spitting contest is a classic addition to any neighborhood block party.
  25. Dance-Off. Another friendly competition to consider for your block party is a dance-off. With the addition of live music, this could very well be main event at your community get-together.
  26. Bubble Machine. A bubble machine is a cost-effective option that is sure to put a smile on everyone’s faces, kids especially.
  27. Piñata. Even if you’re not celebrating anything in particular, a piñata is a low-cost way to get your block party started.
  28. Family-Based Competitions. If you want to have your block party be more of a family event, consider having your games divided up into family teams. Keep score of each event, and tally at the end to determine the winning family.
  29. Charades. Charades is a cost-friendly game idea that is sure to bring laughter and fun to your next block party.
  30. Board Games/Card Games. Expecting less people at your neighborhood block party? Try a more intimate approach by offering up board and card games to play.
  31. Finger Painting/Chalk. If you’re looking for a more hands-on activity for the kids at your block party, consider purchasing washable paint or chalk.
  32. Obstacle Course. Consider building your own kid-friendly obstacle course or holding your block party near a park in the area.
  33. Picnic. If you’re not looking to spend money on food for your block party, ask those in your neighborhood to bring their own food and chairs and set up a community picnic.
  34. Bobbing for Apples. Bobbing for apples is another classic competition that can and should be incorporated into your neighborhood block party.
  35. Eating Contest. Stage an eating contest at your neighborhood block party for a lot of laughs and friendly competition to ensue.
  36. Nature Hike. If you’re not looking to stay in one place for the length of your block party, consider going on a nature hike with your neighbors.
  37. Cooking Lessons. If there is someone in your community that is particularly skilled at cooking or baking, ask if they would be willing to host a cooking lesson for kids at your next neighborhood block party.
  38. Twister. The game Twister is a another great way to get community members involved at your block party.
  39. Ping Pong Table. Consider renting a ping pong table for your block party if no one in your neighborhood has one you can borrow.
  40. Food Sampling from Different Cultures. Celebrate the diversity in your community by having your neighbors bring dishes from different cultures to your next block party.
  41. Potluck. If you are not looking to spend money on food for your block party, consider asking each neighbor to bring a dish of their choosing and have a potluck instead.
  42. Ice Cream Sundae Station. An ice cream sundae station is a delicious way to cool off at a summer block party. Stock your ice cream station up with an array of sweet treats for your neighbors to choose from.
  43. Lemonade Stand/Bake Sale for the Benefit of the Community. Consider holding a lemonade or bake stand to raise money for a worthy cause within your community. This is a great way to get everyone in your community involved while lending a helping hand.
  44. Gardening/Garbage Pickup for a Neighbor. Have your neighbors volunteer to help garden or help clean up around a neighbor’s home, during your block party. This is one way to show your gratitude while giving back to someone in your community.
  45. Bonfire. A bonfire is a great way to end off the night of your block party. Consider purchasing the necessary ingredients for roasting s’mores over the open flames.
  46. Letter to the Military/Thank You Letters. Have a table designated to writing letters and thank you notes to the military.
  47. Put Together Gift Baskets for Families in the Community. Another way to give back to someone in your community is to make a gift basket. Whether you are looking to welcome a family to the neighborhood or sending your condolences, consider having a table set up for putting together gift baskets.
  48. Spend Time Volunteering at a Homeless Shelter. If you are simply looking for something to do as a community, consider spending time volunteering at a nearby homeless shelter or soup kitchen.
  49. Clothing Swap. Ask your neighborhood to bring out clothes or items they are no longer in need of, and have a clothing swap amongst community members at your next block party.
  50. Kickball Game. Kickball is a classic block party game that is fun for all ages.

For more ideas check out this list of awesome summer activities!

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Photo Booth

Interested in commemorating your neighborhood block party? Look no farther than a photo booth. All you need to make your own is a curtain, a stool and some polaroid film. If you don’t have the time to make your own, consider renting one instead.

Food

If you are looking for an option other than providing your own food, consider having a round-up of food trucks stop by or have a local restaurant cater your block party.

Art

There’s a wide variety of art related activities that can and should be considered for your next block party. Larger projects that will involve most of the neighborhood may include, planting trees, painting a mural or establishing a community garden.

Crafts

Interested in including a craft table at your next block party? Consider inviting an employee from a nearby craft store or enlisting those in your neighborhood to teach various skills and activities.

Petting Zoo or Shelter Employee

Consider inviting a few furry friends to your next block party. Shelters, especially, are a great way to raise awareness for pets who are need of a home, and someone may walk away with a new family member as a result.

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Outdoor Movie

Because projectors can be on the pricier side, look into renting or borrowing from a neighbor.

Music

Consider hiring a local musician, band or DJ to help get your neighborhood moving at your block party.

Local Vendors

If your community is like most, there are probably several small businesses that would love to come and share their products and services with you.

Non-Profits

Invite several representatives from non-profit organizations in your area. This is a great way for community members to become involved and to learn more about nearby non-profits.

Games

Some classic block party games include bobbing for apples, three-legged races and obstacle courses. If you are missing any necessary equipment, try renting or borrowing from a neighbor.

Whether you are looking for a way to better engage with your community or you’re simply trying to lift community spirits, a community event like a block party is a great way to start.

Why Should You Build up your Neighborhood?

A community could be described as a group of people coming together for a similar cause. Because of this, it is important that you meet with those in your neighborhood, as it will ultimately be for the benefit of everyone within the community. Although some may not be as vocal and willing as others, here are a few reasons why you should build up your neighborhood.

Building Friendships

Block parties build friendships. Friendship is a welcome part in anyone’s life and what better than having a friend in close proximity to you. Building friendship with your neighbors is important because you never know when you may need their help in the event of an emergency. Anything has the potential happen, so why not have the reassurance that immediate help is right next door to you.

Personal Safety

Having an established community set within your neighborhood can be important for your safety. Getting to know those around you will not only help you to feel safer in your surroundings, but also help prevent you from identity theft, home burglary and harmful visitors.

Your Voice May Have an Impact

When multiple people have the opportunity to come together for the good of their community, they are likely to have more of an impact. This means meeting up regularly with neighbors to voice questions and concerns can often be for the betterment of your area.

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