National Night Out (NNO) takes place every year on the first Tuesday in August, this year it’s on Tuesday, August 5. It’s a reason to have a social gathering with your neighbors, a chance to get to know each other, and a time to build important relationships that keep your neighborhood safe.
Events are held in neighborhoods across the Northside. Every year, thousands of residents take part in the festivities with block parties, cookouts, youth activities, public info events and more.
Are you wondering how you can spice things up this year? Depending on where you are located and the resources you have available the activities will vary. Here are some creative ideas for inspiration to get things going at your block party.
Check out these activities to get more people involved and make it a great evening: Photo Booth Contest, Water Balloon Toss, Face Painting, Ladder Golf Tournament, Chalk Gallery, Scavenger Hunt, Tug of War and Food Bank Collection.
Photo Booth Contest. Print out local sports team mascots, beard/mustache cut outs, hats and glasses. Cut out and tape the things you printed onto sticks.
Water Balloon Toss. Now they have extenders for filling up water balloons, so it takes less than 60 seconds to fill 100 balloons! So why not hold a water balloon toss? Definitely, emphasize that they’re just for the balloon toss.
You may have some unhappy children if water balloons are unexpectedly thrown at them. Another way to decrease conflict — have the official rules on hand: Split players in two groups and give each pair one balloon. Line players up in two lines facing each other. They should be 3 feet apart to start. Each player with a balloon will toss it to their partner when directed by the organizer. If the partner catches the balloon successfully, each person will take one step backwards. The organizer will determine the amount of space, so all pairs move back equal distance. If the balloon breaks, that pair is eliminated from the game. Continue passing the balloon and taking steps back each time, it is caught until there is only one pair left. The last pair standing are the winners! Note, If the balloon falls but does not break, the pair is still qualified and may continue playing. Everyone must step back after each round at the same time at the distance identified by the organizer.
Face Painting. You don’t have to be an artist. Ask around the block for volunteers. Basic symbols and words are the key:flower, smiley face, heart, sun, star, paw print, basketball, butterfly,andcat nose and whiskers.
Ladder Golf Tournament. Ladder golf, Kan Jam, Washers, Cornhole, whatever your backyard neighborhood game may be create a tournament out of it! Print out a bracket template.
Chalk Gallery. Have boxes of sidewalk chalk out for everyone to create their artwork.As people walk by the next few days, they will be able to enjoy it as well.You could even start some games with chalk like tic-tac-toe, hopscotch, or 4-square (if you have a playground ball).
Scavenger Hunt. What is more fun than a scavenger hunt?Get brown paper bags, make a list of items in a word doc, and print out a few copies for the event.First person back with a completed checklist wins!Examples to add to your scavenger hunt may bethree different leaf shapes, onepinecone, one stick, one acorn, two rocks.
Tug of War. A good old fashion game of tug of war is always a great time.One of the local schools or gyms may be able to loan one to you instead of buying one.Or if you have a summer park program in your area, you may already have one available!Split up into age groups or even out each side and have families do it together.
Food Bank Collection. Announce on the invites and posts that you will be collecting for the food bank.If people forget, they can always run home and grab something.Set a goal and see how much your community can raise.
How to get people there. Post on social media; pass out flyers and make sure to highlight the community events going on to get peoples’ attention and get them involved.
If you aren’t holding a NNO party, find out about one near you — see page 8 in this Camden News and visit minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/nno/.