Block Party Guidelines*

Interested in getting to know your neighbors especially those on your street? Consider organizing a Block Party.

Benefits-"Bonding on the Block"

Makes it easier to stay-in-touch on a day-to-day basis
Rely on older kids for babysitting, lawn mowing, or collecting papers and mail when you're away
Solidify the neighborhood
Create a sense of tradition

Enlist the help of several neighbors. Have a short pre-Block Party meeting. Try to involve several generations in the planning so that the event will appeal to everyone. Divide the list of things to do among several people.
Decide what you're calling "our block" and invite everyone who lives in that area.
Set a date and time. Your best time for a good turnout is while school's still in session, either late spring or early fall. The weekend after Labor Day often works out. Saturday or Sunday afternoon works well for most people. Decide if you want a rain date.
Get permission if you want to close your street. Call Urbana Public Works (www.city.urbana.il.us/Urbana) to schedule a barricade drop-off. If you don't want to close your street, consider having it on the front lawns of a few homes.
Send out emails and flyers to neighbors announcing the party details and contact information. Decide what you want everyone to bring as far as food (see Feeding the Masses below), furniture, coolers, grills and games. If you want to supply drinks, paper plates, silverware, cups, and condiments as a group, consider asking for a small donation to cover these costs. Ask people to RSVP and to volunteer supervising activities, and to help with set up/clean up.
Make a Block Party directory. Have a clip board with sign in sheets during the party to gather info.

Scavenger hunts. Older kids will like challenging clues and a neighborhood wide hunt. Preschoolers do better with picture clues and limited search area.
Bike parades
Art and crafts
Volleyball and badminton
Water balloon toss-a multi-generational activity
Amateur hour
Cake walk

Reduce overlapping food contributions by asking households with even numbered addresses to bring entrees, and odd numbered addresses to bring side dishes and desserts.
Try doing a partial potluck. Grill up some meat and have everyone chip in for the cost. Supplement with homemade salads, sides, and desserts.

*Many ideas on this page came from an article by Maura Rhodes, "blockparty!" Parenting magazine, May 2003.