Our neighbors are the best! Every year our small tight-knit neighborhood likes to throw a block party to kick off summer. This year with social distancing a concern it called for a change in the way we do things. We decided on a driveway and backyard social distanced block party. All outdoors, one family bubble joining at a time. Each family got a safe & fun outing. At our house guests played games, took fun family photos and saw people they care about from a distance. It was a great way to show that we can still maintain friendships on a face-to-face basis. Better yet, the wider community driving by enjoyed a splash of color and joy as we Rocked the Block with Color Block! Be sure to download all of the Free Summer Block Party Printables here!
We kicked things off by hand delivering invitations, talking to our neighbors from their porches and explaining how our block party was going to work this year "Social Distance Style" and giving them access to a Google scheduler to book a time slot for their family. We had everything up and open for 2 days!
Set the scene for Rocking your Block with happiness and color by downloading the Free Summer Block Invitation and printable pack. Download the Free Printable Invitations and Summer Block Party Printable Pack here! Then give them a way to make some noise with a Happy Day Noisemaker.
On the day, we set up a huge balloon arch and photo opportunity for our neighbors. We loved the happy call outs from passers-by. Cars even slowed down and told us how much they loved the joyful display. Our community really needed it.
The Happy Day Backdrop Banner made a great focal point, topped with the custom block party Medium Solid Banner we use each year.
We used a 50-Ft. Balloon Decorating Strip for the arch and a mix of jumbo Ruby Red, Rose Pink, and White 36" balloons and Happy Day Latex Balloons with fun messages such as "Smile Awhile" and "Oh Happy Day". We then mixed in Bulk 12" Latex Balloons, red & yellow 11" balloons, Bulk Round 9" Latex Balloons and Bulk Dart 5" Latex Balloons with glue dots. Finally, adding a selection of Happy Day Mylar Balloons at each end.
At the front of the driveway we used a Large Galvanized Pail to provide sanitizer, face masks, sunscreens and other necessities people may need. Then we stood back, chatting from a distance while families enjoyed the photo booth.
Happy Day Cutouts really added to the positive feeling of our tight-knit community slowly rebuilding after a long period apart.
Some long-standing traditions remain unchanged, after all it wouldn't be summer without a cooler of Popsicles to dip into! Download the Free Printable Popsicle Sign here!
Fedoras With Bands that match the vibrant color block palette made an affordable option to give to guests to protect them from the sun and also add to the fun of photos capturing the day. The kids loved rocking this look!
One of the things we saw during quarantine was an explosion of chalk art throughout the neighborhood. It was so uplifting, and we wanted to capture more of this happiness in our block. We put out a Large Galvanized Pail full of Popsicle Chalk for everyone to help us chalk the walk. This was super popular, those walking by have enjoyed it for days.
For families that have been at home together for quite sometime a little bit of carnival atmosphere was just what the doctor ordered! Lots of fun and healthy competition between siblings and parents & kids.
Rock the Block with 11 Color-Blocked Outdoor Summer Games your neighbors can enjoy. Get all details on giving games a fresh & fun color block makeover.
We decorated the gaming area with the Happy Day Decor Kit and it was great to see the kids & adults having so much fun in the game zone, summertime vibes at their best.
The balloon dart game was by far a highlight for most. We must have refilled this a zillion times with our bulk supply of dart balloons.
Other fan favorites included traditional carnival games such as bottle ring toss, ball toss and can toss. While carnivals and county fairs may be out of the question this summer our neighborhood got to enjoy the spirit of the carnival right in our driveway.
Oversized tumbling blocks and 4-in-a-row were also a huge favorite. We renamed these "Rebuild" blocks and "Reconnect" four to take into account the special nature of this years block party. Be sure to download the Free Printable Block Party Game Signs here!
In previous years we've held talent shows, pet parades, treasure hunts, dance contests and more. This year a bike parade worked the best for maintaining some distance. We asked the kids to "Rock their Rides!" and held a bike parade for all to safely attend in the afternoon. The Happy Day Party Fans we decorated with also look great on bike wheels! Get the Free Printable Rock Your Ride Sign here!
Bubbles are a fun activity for all ages. We set up a bright & colorful bubble station in the driveway and it provided endless entertainment! We had plenty of assorted bubble wands and a long-lasting bubble mix refill made by one of our neighbors to make the magic POP! Get the full shopping list and DIY steps to create a Colorful Summer Bubble Station and Bubble POP! Sign.
We added a Bubble Machine next to the station that kept the bubbles going all day long and watched the kids jump to catch them as they flew by.
Kids (and adults!) could take the bubble wands with them, and we refilled the station for the next family. Balloons also make a fun takeaway for kids, balloon volleyball at home anyone?!
Refreshments are always a must at a block party and this one was no different. This year an outdoor rolling bar cart was a must have given the location. Get the DIY instructions for giving a crafting cart a fabulous makeover into this DIY Color Block Rolling Bar Cart.
You'll also find a full shopping list for styling it with fabulous Color Blocked Cups, Beverage Dispensers and super fun fabulous Yay Silly Plastic Straws for single serve beverages.
Normally when we are hosting a block party we either have guests sign up to bring communal style large salads, side dishes, desserts and food for the grill. This year we had guests contribute to the costs or bring packed single serve options to reduce the contact between families.
We set up a table with a bright and poppy Happy Day Tablecloth and a crate of Happy Day Coasters, Napkins, Dinner & Dessert Plates out the back with single serve dishes.
I gave a color block refresh to Clear Plastic Condiment Bottles and take out trays of fruit and sides. Even fan favorites like popcorn can be single served. We gave out Kathy Kaye® Sweet & Salty Popcorn Balls in Pink and Fun Colors Popcorn Boxes.
We wrapped Premium Metallic Gold Plastic Cutlery Sets into single sets with Happy Day Lunch Napkins and provided Happy Day Gift Bags to give families the option to take their servings with them.
The rolling bar cart was perfect for transitioning to the backyard and I also put a selection of drinks in a fabulous color block Popsicle Shaped Party Cooler and decorated the area with more Happy Day Latex Balloons and the Happy Day Decor Kit.
Rather than full bottles of wine that are shared across families we provided smaller serves of wine with fun color blocked Plastic Clear Stemless Wine Glasses.
Usually at our block party we would have a face painting station and other activities that put us in closer contact. This year while we couldn't get this close, we wanted everyone to take away that happy feeling of beginning to rebuild and reconnect our neighborhood block. We said it with candy...Yum! And take-home treats for the kids.
I gave 3 Large Clear Scalloped Plastic Containers and Candy Scoops a color block makeover with Colored Masking Tape. Then I filled them with color blocked candy; Sixlets® Sparkling Orange Chocolate Candy, Albanese® Gourmet Mighty Mango Gummy Teddy Bears and Starburst® Sours Minis Fruit Chews Candy.
Add thank you tags from the printable pack to Happy Day Treat Bags and use these for filling up with the candy selection. Be sure to download the Free Printable Favor Tags here!
We then put plush donut treats into these whimsical Happy Day Pinwheel Favor Boxes for the kids to take home along with more Happy Day Noise Makers and stickers from the Happy Day Sticker Roll. Let's make some noise Hillside!
Who doesn't like taking home happy donuts and candy?
Block Party favorites were still in place. There was still space to dance with Ribbon Sticks and draw names with sparklers.
Then to top it all off a final fun message for our neighbors and an opportunity for them (and the wider community) to capture the memory of this years very unique block party.
We put up a "H-I-L-L-S-I-D-E B-L-O-C-K P-A-R-T-Y" yard sign ... We HEART our neighbors!
The best bit, we can roll this all out again next year and enjoy it a little closer together next time!
