8 Tips On How To Host A 80’s Rock The Block Party
This is a sponsored post for Oriental Trading as part of their Blogger Community. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the products listed.
A block party is the perfect way to meet new neighbors or catch up with those you haven’t seen around for awhile and build bonds within the community. Remember I shared how to create a drink station? This time around, we are sharing 8 tips on how to host a 80’s Rock The Block Party, the perfect way to end the summer! With totally tubular 80’s items from our friends at Oriental Trading, we will have you rocking the block in no time!
1. Bigger isn’t always better
The size of your event depends on you and your help. Will it be in your backyard and invite a few neighbors over…or one involving several homes with stations at each? Are you just inviting everyone on your street or your whole neighborhood? These are things you will have to determine, based on how many people are interested. Ask around for a general feel…and determine how the affair will be financed. Encourage families to partner up to offset costs.
2. Set a theme
Setting a theme always helps to give direction and sets the tone of the party, and the remainder of the planning will center around it. Plus, you can invite families to be a part of the decor by dressing the part; Hawaiian shirts and other island garb for a luau, shorts and boots for a summer camp party or leggings and oversized t-shirts for an 80’s party!
3. Location is key
Are you hosting at several adjacent homes or want to set up in the street? Check with your local city or town hall to learn if you need a permit, and/or to ask about the regulations with regard to blocking off access to your street. Many municipalities will provide barriers for the street that can be picked up the day before or day of the party.
4. Delegate, delegate, delegate!
Avoid stress and assign party planning duties to participating neighbors. From creating invitations to bringing yard chairs and folding tables, it’s important not to do all the work yourself. Have different stations at each home; one may do hot dogs and hamburgers, another ice cream sundaes! Our 80’s station is drinks and prizes for kids who completed a neighborhood scavenger hunt! We’ve got throw-back fun like Ring Pops and vintage sunglasses, tattoos and other toys.
5. Set the scene
Because your block party will likely take place outdoors, you can keep your decorations to a minimum. If you are entertaining at several homes and yards, use DIY signs to direct guests. You can make them using chalkboard signs, paint and a wooden board,or posterboard paper and markers.
Balloons, colorful bunting and banners can also be used to add festive charm; check out these ideas from Lowes…
Our party backdrop is just a large plastic banner covering our garage door! It sets the scene with minimal work.
6. That’s Entertainment!
Plan ahead for a few simple activities to get everyone mingling and getting to know each other.
- Create a scavenger hunt card; canvas the neighborhood and ask general questions (Which neighbor is from Hawaii?, etc.) to include and details about homes (whose house has a cow mailbox, etc.). Bring the filled out card to the prize station to win!
- Ask neighbors to bring a cake to the block party, and have a cake walk.
- Fill water balloons ahead of time and have a water balloon fight.
- Have a creative parent or teen on your block? Line him or her up as a face painter.
- Provide lots of chalk and let guests get creative on the sidewalks.
- Have a few themed props for photo ops!
7. Set Limits
It’s important for everyone to know the rules and plans for the area! From throwing away trash in the appropriate receptacles, instituting a bathroom policy “everyone to use his or her own”, to staying out of the yards of neighbors not attending the party ensures everyone enjoys themselves…and guarantees a repeat performance next year!
Set a time limit for the party to prevent it from getting out of hand or from becoming a nuisance to neighbors not participating.
8. Cleanup
Before the party, make sure each of the residents in the party area checks their yard for any trash, debris, or items they don’t want ‘messed with’. Be sure that you have trash and recycling bins throughout the area where you’re holding the block party — and have a cleanup crew on hand for afterwards. Organize adults but bribe kids with a special treat to help cleanup, instead of messing around and getting into trouble.
I hope you have been inspired to spend some time getting to know your neighborhood!
Check out our Shop The Look below for a few of the items I used…
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