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Neighborhood Picnic Ideas
In this age of hustle and bustle, sometimes it's easy to forget that we live in communities
and neighborhoods. There are many reasons why it's important to be friendly with your
neighbors. From keeping an eye on your home when you are away to providing assistance when
someone is ill, good neighbors can be extremely beneficial. One way to foster communication
between neighbors is to coordinate a neighborhood block party or picnic.
An easy-going, outdoors meal with a few activities that promote communication can be not
only informative but also fun. In fact, neighborhoods that have one such get-together often
find that they want to make the event a regular activity. Because many of the guests will
not know each other very well, if at all, it's important to have everyone wear nametags.
As well, provide a handout with names and contact information for each neighbor.
The game of "Getting To Know You" is a great way for neighbors to learn about each other.
The game starts with everyone standing, and this can be played while guests are eating
at picnic tables. One person must be chosen as the leader of the game. The leader will
pose questions to the neighbors. For example, one question could be "Have you ever
traveled abroad?" The leader will then ask everyone who has not traveled abroad to sit
down. Then the leader will ask everyone who has been to only one other country to please
sit down. Continue increasing the number of countries until you are left with the person
who has traveled to the most countries left standing. Give a small prize to this person.
Other interesting questions that will promote conversation between the neighbors are:
How long have you lived in the neighborhood? (Give a prize to the person who has lived
in the neighborhood the longest.)
How many siblings do you have? (Give a prize to the person with the most siblings.)
How many different states have you lived in? (Give a prize to the person who has
lived in the most states.)
Neighborhood picnics are not just lots of fun; they also help build safer, friendlier
communities. As well, by promoting the opportunity for neighbors to get to know each
other, friends are created and memories are made.
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