Warmer weather means it’s almost time for outdoor activities to begin! With only a few weeks left until Spring finally arrives, here are five ideas for an outdoor community event you can organize:

  • Host a film screening. “Dive-In Movie” events are all the rage right now with HOAs. Don’t have a pool in your association? Weather still a bit nippy? You can organize a movie night at the clubhouse, or in any area with green space. Buy drinks, pop some popcorn, and ask people to bring their lawn chairs, and you’ll have a fun, family-friendly event at low-cost.
  • Themed paint party. Organizing an outdoor paint party is another great way to encourage people to come outside and enjoy the warmer weather while presenting an opportunity for community bonding. To really get in the spirit, ask your paint instructor for spring-themed paintings. You can scale the cost to fit your association’s budget by absorbing some of the cost per person (as an incentive for people to come out and paint), or all of it.
  • Street party. Hosting a street party is another fun idea for boards looking to get homeowners together. Normally a barbecue, you can encourage attendance through offering music and fun events like a Slip n’ Slide or a bounce house. While street parties typically celebrate specific holidays (think Memorial Day or Independence Day), your association can offer a fun twist by celebrating one of the wackier, lesser-known holidays, such as Puppy Day (Friday, March 23) or Eat What You Want Day (Friday, May 11).  Ultimately, the more focused the theme of your street party, the greater homeowner turnout will be.
  • Carnival. If you’re trying to come up with a kid-focused spring event, consider hosting a carnival. The best part of any carnival is the food, and, thankfully, typical carnival food is usually inexpensive fair. A popcorn and cotton candy machine, along with a booth for hot-dogs and drinks, is all you really need for an authentic carnival experience. Carnival games can also be economical, if you have homeowners willing to donate or lend everyday household items.  For entertainment, consider games like Spin the Wheel, a fish pond, frog launch, water balloon toss, duck pond, a cake walk, and a ring toss. Don’t forget prizes for the winners! Balloon animals and a face painting station are other elements to consider for a truly authentic carnival experience.
  • Treasure hunt! Another kid-friendly event is to have a neighborhood treasure hunt. You can make it as difficult or as easy as you want, choosing to stick with 7-10 places inside the association, or you can get the parents involved by choosing popular, well-known locations all over the city. Remember, it’s more fun if the clues require a bit of solving. Try writing clues utilizing puns and rhymes for extra fun! Alternatively, you can also offer the far more traditional Easter egg hunt, if organizing a treasure hunt sounds too intimidating.

The hallmark of a strong community is the social connection it creates and maintains between its members.  We encourage all board members to improve their communities by offering chances for homeowners to meet, greet, and get to know each other better.

For more tips on HOA management be sure to check out our blog where we update new content every week. Or for specific questions or help managing your association contact Spectrum Association Management today to receive a free quote and also learn more about what makes us refreshingly different.