When Josh Reeves made a list of 100 ways to engage your neighborhood. He said:

“I have found that it is often helpful to have practical ideas to start engaging the people around me. Most of the things on this list are normal, everyday things that many people are already doing. The hope is that we would do these things with Gospel intentionality. This means we do them:

• In the normal rhythms of life pursuing to meet and engage new people
• Prayerfully watching and listening to the Holy Spirit to discern where God is working.
• Looking to boldly, humbly, and contextually proclaim the Gospel in word and deed.”

Here’s Josh’s list of ways to have fun with neighbors! 

11. Have a garage sale

12. Organize a tasting tour on your street (everyone sets up food and table on front porch)

13. Cook Out with gate open, or even in the front yard and let neighbors know they are welcome to join.

14. Have a game night (yard games outside, or board games inside)

15. Art swap night – bring out what you’re tired of and trade with neighbors

16. Grow a garden and give out extra produce to neighbors

17. Have an Easter egg hunt on your block and invite neighbors use their front yards

18. Start a weekly open meal night in your home

19. Do a summer BBQ every Friday night and invite others to contribute

20. Create a block/ street email and phone contact list for safety

21. Invite your neighbors to serve along with you for a local cause in your community

22. Organize a backyard movie night for kids on your block

23. Prayer walk and talk to people you come across

24. Jog outside instead of on the treadmill

25. Pull their trash back in when you notice its out

26. Cook an extra casserole and give it to a neighbor

27. Buy an extra dozen donuts and give them to a neighbor

28. Start a compost pile and allow neighbors to dump their compost and take

29. Host a sports game watching party

30. Host a coffee and dessert night

31. Organize and host a ladies craft night

32. Organize an effort for neighbors to help take care of elderly in neighborhood

33. Become a regular at your neighborhood pool/park

34. If you have a skill, let neighbors know that you can use it to help them for free

35. Host a movie night and discussion afterwards

36. Start a walking/running group in the neighborhood

37. Start hosting a play date weekly for other stay at home parents

38. Organize a carpool for your neighborhood to help save gas

39. Collect good will store items and offer to take them to goodwill

40. Have a front yard ice cream party in the summer

41. Start a sowing group

42. Go Christmas caroling in your neighborhood (invite neighbors in on it)

43. Throw a July 4th block party

44. Start a neighborhood Facebook/Twitter/Google + group

45. Ask longtime residents to help you learn about the neighborhood

46. Offer to babysit neighbors kids so they can have a date night

47. Find out your neighbors birthdays and take them a card and baked goods on it

48. Setup a meet your neighbors night with drinks in your driveway/front yard

49. Ask your HOA or apartment complex if they need help with anything

50. Host a regular Saturday morning breakfast potluck

 

Extended Neighborhood – The Regular Spots In Your City

51. Frequent a local gym or recreation center

52. Find a park that you consistently spend time with your community at

53. Pick a few restaurants to frequent getting to know the staff and regulars there

54. Go to the same coffee shop when you can

55. Start a regular ultimate Frisbee game in your city

56. Take the kids to story time at your local library

57. Let your kids play in the city sports leagues

58. Attend your city council meetings and get to know what’s going on in your city

59. Attend your local school board meetings to know what is going on in the schools

60. Participate in the local festivals, parades and celebrations of your city

61. Invite a neighbor to a local sporting event

62. Start a guys night at your local pub/eatery

63. Get involved in your kids school PTA

64. Connect with other home school kids through local coop events

65. Be a part of your local genealogical society

66. Tip generously at your regular restaurant spots

67. Participate in local film viewings and discussions

68. Attend your local High Schools sporting events

69. Coach a local little league sports team

70. Offer to teach free computer training sessions at your local library/public venue

71. Start a Study Group at a local place that needs business

72. Be a regular with your kids at the same playscape/restaurant during the day

73. Ask your local college how you can help serve international students

74. Get involved with your local lions or rotary club to learn about the community.

75. Find a local tweetup group to meet with regularly

76. Frequent a live music night at your local coffee shop or bar

77. Make a routine of taking the family to a evening recreation spot (pool, jump zone, etc.)

78. Find a local philosophy/theology discussion group and become a regular participant

79. Find a baking meet up group and be a part of their activities

80. Go to the same hair stylist/barber and get to know them

81. Find your local bank representative and get to know them

82. Be a regular at your local farmers market

83. Take a regular stroll at your local park

84. Take your dog to the dog park in your city

85. Start a local art collective blog and organize around different themes

86. Have gospel discussions in public places where others can listen in

87. Check your areas craigslist for community service needs

88. Ask a local restaurant owner how you could bless their employees

89. Frequent the same gas station and make an effort to get to know the workers there

90. Watch sporting events at the same local sports bar/restaurant in your city

91. When you can, support local businesses and get to know the people in that business.

92. Visit your cities visitors center to learn about the it’s history

93. Start a storytelling group at your local coffee shop

94. Organize a kids fun day at your city park

95. Offer free computer/technology help for elderly citizens in your area

96. Start a bike repair coop

97. Cook out at your local park and invite the people there to eat with you

98. Start a sowing class at your local community center

99. Organize a coworking time at your local coffee shop for people who work at home

100. Join a city softball, soccer, football, basketball league

 

What would you add? Drop a comment with your ideas for having fun in the neighborhood!