https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:47:33 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/block-party#post-2897963 Fri, 27 Sep 2019 07:33:49 +0000 Ajsmommy 2897963@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Update: the party went really well. Everyone had a good time and enjoyed the food and conversations. A few new families came out so that was really great. I personally met 4 new families and the kids all had a blast playing together. There were talks of future block parties, maybe a holiday party and even Zumba with neighbors when the club house gets built. All in all a success. Thanks for all of your comments and input. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/block-party#post-2897782 Wed, 25 Sep 2019 11:28:44 +0000 Shantuck 2897782@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ajsmommy: Ours is the Saturday of the weekend after labor day every year. It's nice to have a set date so people know to keep it open. I live in a large city so we also have to plan far out to get the block party permits from our alderman since we need to shut down the entire city block from all traffic. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/block-party#post-2897779 Wed, 25 Sep 2019 11:22:35 +0000 Ajsmommy 2897779@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: I'm hoping everyone goes before they come.. and we set the time to be 530ish-730ish so hoping it's not too long to avoid too many bathroom needs<br /> @krispi: I put flyers at each mailbox cluster. We also have a fb page but i know not all neighbors are on it so i did flyers, first with the idea and info to join the page where voting happened for date and time and then after the date was picked i did flyers with the final info and again asked them to join the page.<br /> @Shantuck: great ideas.. i'll tuck these away as well for future parties. If this goes ok i'm thinking of doing a bigger one in spring time. When do you usually have them in your neighborhood? (time of year?) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/block-party#post-2897763 Wed, 25 Sep 2019 09:29:47 +0000 Shantuck 2897763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Block parties in our area usually involve a bouncy house (everybody contributes $20 or so) and a visit from the local firefighters with a firetruck that the kids can climb on. You could call your local fire station to see if they ever do something like that. We also usually do t-shirt tie dying. I was in charge of that this year and I bought a big kit from Amazon for about $15 (just using the squirt bottles rather than dipping) and every kid brought their own shirt. Just some ideas! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/block-party#post-2897755 Wed, 25 Sep 2019 08:30:49 +0000 krispi 2897755@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've had several last minute, smaller block parties on our street, and they sound very much like what you're describing. It's a great way to meet neighbors you don't already know. The only thing I would add is that we put a flyer in each mailbox on the street to make sure everyone was aware. We also have an email distribution list, but a lot of the older neighbors aren't on it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/block-party#post-2897748 Wed, 25 Sep 2019 07:22:06 +0000 Foodnerd81 2897748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ajsmommy: I think it sounds great! We have ours in the cul de sac and never bother with officially closing the street- anyone who would be driving would be coming to the party! We haven’t had anything special for the kids and they all run around having a blast. They do go in different backyards, like the neighbor with a swingset has a lot of kids. </p> <p>The only thing I would add is a bathroom. At ours the neighbor whose house is closest to the party has opened it up for people to use their bathroom, which honestly is super nice of them. I would have a plan in place and signs indicating where people should go, or just spread the word that there won’t be one open and go at home before. But I know with little kids especially somethings it’s hard to wait. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/block-party#post-2897680 Tue, 24 Sep 2019 14:53:27 +0000 psw27 2897680@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just had one this weekend. The organizing neighbor collected $10 per family and ordered pizza. She put out a table and another neighbor put out another table. She had me drag down my recycling bin and another neighbor drag over a trash bin. One neighbor put up a small bounce house in her front yard close to the action. Mostly the kids rode bikes and scooters all party long. We blocked the street with random chairs and cones. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/block-party#post-2897679 Tue, 24 Sep 2019 14:15:44 +0000 HappyBaker 2897679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ajsmommy: oh yea in that case I bet it’s fine! In our town you just email the town admin and they bring it in front of the selectmen to approve, but I feel like a cul de sac is easy to hold a party in! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/block-party#post-2897674 Tue, 24 Sep 2019 13:54:31 +0000 Ajsmommy 2897674@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alba4: love these ideas.. i'll be holding onto it for our next one (spring/summer)<br /> @HappyBaker: I've heard about doing this.. but not sure how to go about it? Our plan for this one is to have it in the cul de sac/spilling into our lawn and our neighbors lawn. There usually isn't much traffic in the evenings so hopefully it'll work out ok. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/block-party#post-2897671 Tue, 24 Sep 2019 13:49:01 +0000 HappyBaker 2897671@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you’re planning on people being out in the street as opposed to in one persons yard you should probably clear it with the town. Our neighborhood had one last year and got permission to block off one of the smaller side streets during the party so it was safer for the kids to run around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/block-party#post-2897661 Tue, 24 Sep 2019 11:52:02 +0000 Alba4 2897661@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When my neighborhood had a block party a few years ago, we chipped in money to rent a bouncy house/slide. It gave the kids something to do besides ride bikes (my oldest was only 2.5 at the time). It was potluck and then later in the evening there was a bonfire/music. We kissed that since our kid was so young. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/block-party#post-2897575 Mon, 23 Sep 2019 13:54:20 +0000 Ajsmommy 2897575@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@graceandjoy: i was thinking that most of the kids that come around will ride their bikes or scooters down to the party and have them there already.. and good idea to put out our chalk and bubbles!! Will do.<br /> @catgirl: Thanks! I hope it works out ok. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/block-party#post-2897557 Mon, 23 Sep 2019 10:52:17 +0000 catgirl 2897557@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don’t think you need to do anything major for the kids - maybe just have some chalk and bubbles out for them to use. </p> <p>And I think your plan of a garbage bag (or a few) and some paper towels is pretty good! Sounds like a fun neighborhood tradition to start. Hope it goes well! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/block-party#post-2897554 Mon, 23 Sep 2019 10:43:13 +0000 graceandjoy 2897554@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd probably see what people are bringing at the end, and decide if I'd make some extra nuggets/fries, etc for the kids. I would also be okay with providing any utensils not signed up for. I don't think I'd do anything else, maybe play some music, lay out some picnic blankets if you have any? </p> <p>Probably won't do anything for the kids either, I feel like it's probably easy for someone to run into their house and grabs bubbles/scooters/balls, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/block-party#post-2897548 Mon, 23 Sep 2019 09:52:57 +0000 Ajsmommy 2897548@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Champagne: YES.. I was planning to bring a large garbage bag and a roll of paper towels and my older neighbor told me last night she'll bring plates/utensils. Thanks!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/block-party#post-2897547 Mon, 23 Sep 2019 09:48:40 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2897547@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe napkins and forks etc. Garbage bags. Unless someone has signed up for those items. Sounds fun! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/block-party#post-2897542 Mon, 23 Sep 2019 09:10:49 +0000 Ajsmommy 2897542@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So we moved into our new home about 6 months ago and our street is filling up with new families and new neighbors. It's a new build community so we are all new. </p> <p>We have met quite a few neighbors and our kids have been playing together. So I decided to "loosely" organize a block party.. mainly to get to know the families we already know better and to maybe draw out some families that we haven't met yet. And before it gets too cold. If this one goes well i'll do another one in the spring/summer to welcome the even newer homes... </p> <p>The date has been picked and we are doing a pot luck type deal. 5 families have already signed up to bring things.</p> <p>I guess my question is since I "planned" this thing is there anything I need to do? The date and location are picked. People are signing up to bring things... I put up flyers to get people aware and now I'll put up flyers confirming the date/location and to show up....and to BYOB and their lawn chairs and a dish... </p> <p>We are going to put up a folding table and our lawn chairs. </p> <p>I wasn't planning to get or do anything special for the kids. </p> <p>Is this going to be enough?? </p> <p>Have you been to or hosted a block party? Any input/comments/ideas? </p>