Why not try your hand at bringing the entertainment to your own backyard this summer? Granted, you may not be able to get a wave pool going through your yard, but with a little creativity you can have a backyard party that’s both exciting and memorable, and considerably easier on your wallet.

Planning an water park party

Party preparation should start at least a month in advance, if not more so. This is so you have plenty of time to shop for supplies, both in-store and online, and allows for delivery time for any items that you have to order. It also gives you time to get a guest list together and get them to RSVP.

For activities, people can get creative enough with a water hose and a sprinkler. Add a couple of wading pools, a Slip-n-Slide, and a cache of water balloons and water guns, and you’ve got a miniature water park in your own yard. Kids can run rampant, splash around, and have water fights without having to spend most of their time waiting in line for rides or getting yelled at to slow down.

Also, if you’re really concerned about recreating the atmosphere, popcorn and cotton candy machines can add flair to your backyard party. Not only do they make fresh water park food right there in your own home, but popcorn and cotton candy machines can be reused for event after event, whether it’s a neighborhood block party, family reunion, church gathering or birthday party.

Make memories that will last a lifetime

It may seem like a daunting task, but it’s certainly not impossible. A backyard water park party can provide fun for the whole family and neighborhood, if just for the day. Besides, how many kids will be able to say that their parents created a backyard water park?

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Costume Party – Costume parties are fun for children and adults. Host a themed party, such as a 50’s party with poodle skirt costumes. Poodle skirts work great for costume parties because the poodle skirts come in sizes for every age. You can also have costumes be the theme, and have people show up in whatever costume they would like.

BBQ Party – Invite friends over for good food from the grill. Put down picnic tables and blankets in the shade and enjoy each others company. Serve hamburgers, hot dogs, pasta salads, potato salad, pork-n-beans, corn on the cob, and ice cold lemonade.

Fiesta – Have a fun fiesta party. There are plenty of ideas on the web right now since Cinco de Mayo is coming up. Be sure to have fun decorating with fun, bright colors and have a pinata for entertainment later in the party.

Pool Party – Cool off with a pool party in your back yard. Pool parties are easy because the entertainment is provided with the swimming pool. Provide pizza for dinner and popsicles for a treat after wards.

Block Party – Bring the neighborhood together for a neighborhood block party. Section off a part of the street and bring out recliner chairs for a fun neighborhood potluck. Send around sign up sheets for different foods people can bring.

Carnival – Host an outdoor carnival for the kids. Set up booths with face painting and other carnival crafts. Menu ideas should include finger foods and other “carnival” treats, such as cotton candy, popcorn, and a lot of water.

Luau – Pull out your Hawaiian shirts and have fun with a luau in your backyard. Implement Hawaiian treats for your menu, such as rice, pineapple ham, and a variety of vegetable and fruit platters. Have fun with tropical decorations, Hawaiian accessories, and bamboo.

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Try to talk to a few other families in the neighborhood with whom you are close and decide on the best date for all you. Aim for the beginning of the summer, one or two weeks after the kids get out of school. This time usually works well because people have not left for vacations yet nor have summer sports camps started up. Everyone will be around and look forward to this great party!

Once you decide on a day, make fliers and stick them in everyone’s mailboxes so that they can save the date on their calendars. Tell everyone to pull out the grills, hot dogs, lemonade, and a patio bar stool for the biggest summer kick-off celebration of the year! For music, ask the neighborhood band (the one you always hear practicing in the garage a few houses down) to perform. They will love this opportunity and nothing beats live music at the event.

Since block parties are normally all day affairs, plan to host a few fun activities. Ask around the neighborhood to see if anyone is willing to do face paint for the kids or if someone knows how to make balloon animals. Suggest that you have a pet parade and a dance contest. Karaoke is always a fantastic activity. You might discover that your neighbors have fantastic singing voices!

Make sure you that you pull out the lawn chairs and, for extra seating, drag over a patio bar stool or two. People will love coming over to catch up with your family so you want to make sure they have a place to sit down. You can even spread out giant picnic blankets so that people can relax while they watch the pet parade. A summer block party is a great idea and, if you keep it up for a few years, it will soon become a tradition!

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It is very important for everyone in the neighborhood to be invited, if you decide to have a block party. Nobody should be left out. If you have an elderly person in the neighborhood, make arrangements for someone to pick them up, so they don’t feel left out. If you have a true shut-in on your block, it is always nice to let them know ahead of time about the party, and let them know that, though they cannot attend in person, they are going to be included. Be sure and take them a plate of food, a party favor, and take the newest members on the block, and introduce them.

Party Activities for Adult Block Parties

Especially if you are having a block party for someone who is new to the area, it is nice to give them gifts, but not always necessary. You can always give them names and addresses of hairdressers, cleaners, good restaurants, dentists, physicians, etc. Free movie rentals, names of teens who mow lawns or baby-sit (perhaps even let the neighborhood kids be there for the first hour of the party, so they can put names and faces together, as well as putting the correct child with the correct parents) names of mechanics, and other places you know they will need to find eventually are often the most needed gift you can give to a neighborhood newcomer.

A great introductory game is to send a questionnaire with the invitation. Ask simple questions such as “Where do you work?” “What kind of car do you drive?” “What are your children’s names?” and “Do you have any pets, and if so, what are their names?” Then, when the line forms for the Barbeque, the “Ticket” to the food is the questionnaire, which is dropped into a box. After dinner, the questionnaires are pulled out, and the new neighbors attempt to match the questionnaire with the correct neighbor. It is a good way to get to know each other. Be sure to include some fun questions like, “What is your favorite sport?” and “What is a unique talent you possess?”

Never forget the power of music in a social gathering. You could have a dance, where each person dances with a new partner when the song changes. What better way to get to know your new neighbors, and let them get to know you, than to have a “get acquainted” adult block party to rock the block!

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We set up tables and chairs. Everyone contributes something whether it is food, plates, utensils, or drinks. It’s a combined effort and every bit of it is worthwhile. Neighbors of all variety show up; young parents, old parents, empty nesters, grandparents. Adults stand around and talk. Kids run around and play. It truly is one of the simplest forms of entertainment you can provide.

I can attest that the concept of block parties works. My family ventures outside more and now we take the time to walk across the street to say hello. I feel more comfortable going next door to borrow a cup of sugar. There are now additional adults that care, and watch my children while they play outside.

You get the wonderful gift of knowing different types of people who are interesting in different ways. It teaches your kids (and reminds yourself) to respect and appreciate the people that are, logistically, the closest to you. I have many neighbors who I consider friends. I encourage you to start your own neighborhood block parties. It will give you an accessible, extended family and provide wonderful memories for your children.

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A neighborhood association is basically a group that organizes crime watches, welcome wagons and special events. A neighborhood yard sale or block party can help people raise money and meet new people. If you are really ambitious you could even start a neighborhood newsletter. It is community efforts like these that help neighborhoods grow closer and give each other the support system that is so important – especially during tough times like these. There is a comfort in knowing who your neighbors are, knowing that they will be there for you during difficult medical or financial times or even just when you need a friendly shoulder to lean on or a cup of sugar.

The first step to starting a neighborhood association is deciding on a place to meet. Usually a community resource like a youth center or school will let you use space for free. You could even use a room in your house if it is large enough to hold a moderate-size group of people.

Next you’ll want to print out flyers announcing your initial neighborhood meeting. It doesn’t have to be fancy or elaborate, just a simple sheet detailing the purpose of the meeting, location, time and date. Hang flyers up in prominent areas in the neighborhood such as churches, grocery stores, schools and recreation centers. It may also be appropriate to leave flyers on people’s doorstops. My neighborhood association set up a refreshment stand during Halloween and offered a sign-up sheet for people interested in joining the association. Later they could use the contact information to get people together for neighborhood meetings. However you get the word out the next step is preparing for the event/meeting. Some planning is a good idea at this time. Write an outline of the points you want to discuss and some plans you have for the future of the neighborhood. Next you’ll want to provide some coffee, fruit punch and maybe some baked goods for the meeting.

At this first meeting you can talk about the different functions that you would like the organization to perform. For example, you’ll need a committee to oversee the neighborhood association. Other possibilities are a welcome wagon which will welcome new families, introduce themselves and provide a basket with neighborhood information, coupons from local businesses, and possibly a little welcoming gift. Or possibly a group of neighbors would like to work together on a neighborhood newsletter to keep the neighbors up to date on the goings on in the area, such as births, deaths, school and church events, weddings, etc. You can also set up a group to act as a crime watch to either patrol the streets at night or at least keep an eye on homes while the residents are out of town.

You won’t believe the feeling of belonging that comes over a neighborhood when the members of it is working on making it a safe, clean, peaceful and friendly place to live.

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Jenn Carpenter works as a freelance writer, blogger and internet marketer from her home in Warwick, RI. She is a mother of three as well as an active member of her community. To learn more about her amazing story check out http://www.livingmybigdream.com

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Block parties can be a great deal of fun for the whole neighborhood. However, without proper planning, you could end up with a less than entertaining event. Unique entertainment rentals can make all of the difference when you are planning a fun filled block party. The ideas below are just a few of the ways that you can spruce up your next event with exciting party rental equipment.

Dunk Tank Rentals

A traditional feature in block parties and street fairs, dunk tanks are fun for everyone. You will be sure to draw a crowd with a dunk booth rental. Professional booths are available, and are sturdy enough for both children and adults to use. You can’t go wrong with an old time favorite like this. And the cool thing about dunk tanks? You do not have to be a player to enjoy the action. Watching is fun too!

Obstacle Courses and Bouncers

Obstacle courses and bouncers can be a wonderful addition to any party. Both the young and old can enjoy bouncing, frolicking, and finding their way on these exciting entertainment rentals. At affordable rental prices, you can afford to get several different types of entertainment activities, and keep your guests busy for hours. Don’t let your block party be a dud, add an inflatable bouncer, obstacle course, or several of each for a day filled with fun. And don’t be scared off by the thought of setting up these units. A good party rental company will take care of the set up, tear down and everything in between if necessary.

Kiddie Ride Rentals

For younger children who might attend your block party, you will want to be sure to have appropriate forms of entertainment for them as well. What better way to do this than with kiddie ride rentals. From toddler bounces to air light mazes to a wide range of other kiddie activities, you can purchase rentals that work for specific ages of children or all ages in general. The most important thing is that you make the fun at your next event accessible to all ages.

About the Author

Cheryl Pierce