A few weeks ago we met some “new” kids in the neighborhood. They live five houses away from us and we’ve both lived here for years. Not uncommon today, as kids on the same block often go to different schools and involved in different types of activities. Most of Cruise’s friends he met through the preschools he attended across town, so they live miles away.
Whether or not he finds a close friend nearby, I want Cruise to feel able and comfortable walking his own neighborhood- to know the kids and the parents who live around us. I want to know them too!
So, a couple of weeks ago we threw a get-to-know-the-kids-in-the-neighborhood party. I knew I had to keep it simple so I would do it, instead of just think about doing it.
The result? The party was a hit. All the parents we invited loved the idea of getting to know the families in the neighborhood better. There was even talk of a different family hosting one every few months.
Consider hosting one of these low-key, low cost parties.
Here’s how we did ours:
1. We started with a quick and easy to make invite and made copies on our printer.
2. Next, Cruise and I delivered them to houses around the neighborhood based on three things: 1. houses we knew had kids 2. Houses that looked like they had kids (toys in the yard, etc.) 3. Houses other neighbors told us had kids.
Luckily, Cruise agreed to get around via jogging stroller so we could hit many houses quickly. What happened though, was lots of conversations between myself and the parents we met- boring Cruise to death, but I definately got to know them better.
Tags: community building, kids safety, kids' party
