Who doesn’t love a good neighborhood picnic? They’re the ideal way to get to know your neighbors, enjoy some delicious food, and have a good time.
Neighborhood picnics are a great way to get to know your neighbors and have some fun in the sun. But planning the perfect picnic can be tricky. You have to consider so many things, especially why would your neighbors want to join in? You need to make your picnic appealing on the surface for people to join and even more fun inside. Here are our top tips on throwing the perfect neighborhood picnic.
Send creative invitations to your neighbors
No one wants to receive a boring email or piece of paper telling them when and where the picnic is. You need to make your invitations eye-catching, so your neighbors will actually want to come. Be creative with your invitations and think outside the box.
You could hand-deliver them or include a little picnic basket with some goodies inside. If you’re out of ideas, these picnic invitation templates may help. Also, you need to finalize your guest list, so you have the exact number of people coming and can determine how much food you’ll need and plan out all the various activities you can do.
Come up with a theme
Having a picnic theme is a great way to get your neighbors excited about the event. It also makes it more fun for you and your guests. You could have a potluck picnic, where everyone brings their favorite dish, or a sports-themed picnic, with games and activities for everyone to enjoy.
You could even have a themed basket, like a beach basket with sunscreen, snacks, and sunglasses for everyone. The possibilities are endless when it comes to themes, so get creative and have fun with them. If you’re unsure about it, why not have a consensus with all the neighbors?
Prepare some fun activities
No one wants to sit around at a picnic and do nothing. You need to have some fun activities planned, so your guests will actually have something to do.
You could set up a volleyball net or bring some Frisbees for people to play with. If you have young children coming, you could bring some toys or set up a small kiddie pool.
You could even have some fun picnic games like water balloon tosses or a three-legged race. The possibilities are endless, so get creative and have some fun with it.
Plan separate activities for the kids
One of the main reasons people love neighborhood picnics is because it’s a great way to socialize with other families. If you want your picnic to be successful, you need to make sure there are plenty of activities for the kids. They’ll be bored if there’s nothing for them to do.
You could set up a small playground for the kids or have some arts and crafts set up. You could even have a face painter or balloon artist come to the picnic. The key is to make sure there are plenty of activities for the kids, so they’re not bored and their parents are actually able to socialize.
No picnic is complete without great food and drinks
Of course, no picnic is complete without some delicious food. You’ll need to determine how much food you’ll need and what kind of food you’ll be serving. If you’re having a potluck picnic, then each person will bring their own dish. But if you’re providing the food, then you’ll need to make sure you have enough for everyone.
You could have a BBQ or make some simple sandwiches. You could even have a picnic basket with all the fixings, so your guests can make their own sandwiches. If you don’t want to deal with the food, you could always pair up with a local food truck. The key is to make sure you have enough food for everyone and that it’s easy to eat. No one wants to eat a heavy meal at a picnic.
Prep all the essentials
Lastly, while you’re enjoying your picnic with your neighbors, don’t forget to pack in essentials, including sunscreen and especially a medkit. No one wants to get sunburned or have an emergency, but it’s always better to be prepared.
You should also pack some snacks and drinks, just in case people get hungry or thirsty. And don’t forget the insect repellent, so you can keep the bugs away.
A few final words
Planning the perfect neighborhood picnic is all about getting your neighbors involved and having fun. But you can’t do that if you don’t know what kind of people your neighbors are (especially if you’re new to the neighborhood). In that case, spend some informal time with them and get to know them a little better to understand what kind of picnic would click with them.
