The City of Port Coquitlam’s Block Party program was created to help connect neighbors and build resiliency and a sense of community in our residential neighborhoods. Given current recommendations around social distancing, we wanted to share resources to help you find new ways to “get together” with your neighbors and maintain a community connection, all while maintaining a healthy social distance. While we are focused on connecting neighbors, note that many of the activities and tools listed below might also help you stay connected with friends, family and even work colleagues.
A Virtual Block Party is an online social gathering between neighbours, designed to promote community connection and fight social isolation while maintaining social distance. Like any Block Party, the activities are entirely up to you (though we have a few suggestions if you’re looking for inspiration). It’s an opportunity to get to know your neighbours better, to look out for one another, and to share art, stories, laughs or ideas.
Before you can plan a party or send out invitations, you’re going to want a central place to share information – think of it as a digital bulletin board for the neighborhood. This is one area where social media and other online communication tools can be very helpful. Visit our Virtual Neighbourhood Hub page for more information on tools you can use to connect with your neighbours.
Even the smallest and simplest get-togethers can benefit from a bit of planning up front. Using your Virtual Neighbourhood Hub, follow these five easy steps to set your Virtual Block Party up for success:
Figure out what you want to do as a group! Consider the make-up of your group, including age ranges, abilities and interests. Check out the Activity Resources below for a variety of ideas.
If your activity requires any supplies or preparation, make sure to clearly communicate this so that everyone is on the same page.
Consider starting with a poll or open-ended question to learn what days and times generally work best for everyone.
If you are planning games or other activities that will require a certain number of participants (or that can only support a certain number of participants), consider asking your neighbours to RSVP if they would like to join in.
Depending on your planned activity, determine what platform you and your neighbours will use to “get together”. Check out our guide on Video Chat Platforms below for more information about some of the different services available.
Video chat is a great way to get some face-to-face time with others while social distancing. Luckily, there are a wide variety of applications (apps) that allow for free video (and audio) calls between two or more people. Here are a few that you may want to consider using to host your “virtual” social gathering. Each service has its own strengths and limitations – consider the size and needs of your group, as well as what services you are already familiar with using.
Owned and operated by: Microsoft Corporation
Available on: PC, Mac, iOS, Android
Features and Limitations:
Accessibility Features:
Owned and operated by: Alphabet Inc. (Google)
Available on: PC, Mac, iOS, Android
Features and Limitations:
Accessibility Features:
Owned and operated by: Epic Games, Inc.
Available on: PC, Mac, iOS, Android
Features and Limitations:
Owned and operated by: Facebook, Inc.
Available on: PC, Mac, iOS, Android
Features and Limitations:
Owned and operated by: Zoom Video Communications, Inc.
Available on: PC, Mac, iOS, Android
Features and Limitations:
Owned and operated by: Apple Inc.
Available on: Mac and iOS devices only
Features and Limitations:
Owned and operated by: Facebook, Inc.
Available on: iOS and Android*
Features and Limitations:
*Note: While a WhatsApp web client is available for sharing text messages, files and photos on PC and Mac devices, it does not allow for audio or video chat.
While a neighbourhood Sports Day might be off the table, with a little creativity and a little prep work there are still a wide variety of activities for you and your neighbours to bond over. Need inspiration? Here are a few ideas to get you started using our Recreation slogan: Move! Create! Connect!
Fitness Class
Exercising with others can you help you stay on task and work harder. Get some to participate together to a YouTube exercise video, or have someone in your group take the lead in getting everyone moving. Check out the Virtual Fitness Classes put together by the City of Port Coquitlam’s Health and Wellness team.
Charades
Charades is a classic word guessing game. A player acts out a word or phrase (for example a movie or a book), while other players guess the word or phrase. Need help coming up with words and phrases? Use an online generator like Get Charades Ideas.
Dance Party
Turn on an upbeat playlist and dance your worries away at the hottest club in town – your living room! Hosts looking to amplify the experience can come up with a theme, plan their own playlist and encourage participants to dress up. You could even set up your own makeshift DJ booth or share themed drink and snack recipes.
Dance or Lip Sync Battle
Prefer your dancing with a side of competition? Pair off participants and give them a popular song to memorize or create a dance routine to. Give them time to prepare their routine, then let them face off head to head!
Social Distance Dinner Party
If the weather is nice and you have access to a driveway or balcony, consider taking dinner outside – and invite your neighbours to do the same! You may even want to consider exchanging recipes for a virtual potluck, with each neighbour providing a recipe for part of the meal (appetizer, entrée, side salad, desert and beverage). If you’re planning to order in, be sure to #SupportLocal and order from a restaurant based out of Port Coquitlam.
Book Club
Find a new bestseller or a classic novel that your neighbors are all interested in reading, and set up a virtual book club!
Trivia Night
Have one player act as host, while two or more teams compete to see who has the best overall knowledge on a variety of categories. Use trivia from a board game you have around the house (such as Trivial Pursuit or Cranium), or find free trivia questions online.
Cooking Class
Teach your neighbours how to make one of your favourite recipes. If you want them to cook along, send out the recipe and shopping list in advance. You may want to have a room mate or family member play videographer so that you can keep both hands free for food prep.
Make Some Noise for Essential Workers
Every evening at 7:00pm, join your neighbors in making some noise in appreciation for our healthcare, front line and essential workers who are working hard every day for us. Hoot, holler, or bang some pots and pans, then take a few minutes to check in on each other.
Talent Show
Picked up a new skill during social isolation? Consider organizing a neighborhood talent show to show it off, with participants each taking turns showing off a new skill or unusual ability.
Board Game Night
Board games are a classic way to bring people together, and there are more ways than ever to play board games together online. Search for a classic board game such as Monopoly or Scrabble and you’re sure to find an official version for play on your device – along with a few products inspired by them. There are even game sites dedicated to playing online board games, such as Board Game Arena and Tabletopia, which offer a combination of paid and free games.
For the purposes of a Virtual Block Party, we recommend using free, multiplatform games that will allow you to create a lobby and invite your neighbours using a room code, such Drawize or Skribbl.io (variations on Pictionary), Drawphone (an online version of Telestrations), or Scattergories Online.
Music Jam
Share a song with your neighbours. Get together for an online karaoke party, a virtual jam session, choir practice, or host a sing along for the kids!
Arts & Crafts Party
Participate together on a craft activity, such as an origami creation, an upcycling project, or a simple knitting pattern. Have an artistic skill to share with your neighbours? Host a “Paint Nite” style evening where you can walk your neighbours through a creation step-by-step. Check out our Wellness Wednesdays page for a variety of children’s craft activities, including how to make your own playdough or slime!
Creative Cooking Contest
Get your “Chopped” on with a creative cooking competition! You can give participants a shopping list in advance, or give them a theme at the time and have them scrounge the cupboards for creative and off the cuff combinations! Give participants a time limit to make something without a recipe, then let families be the judge of just how well their creations pay off.
Stage Reading
Put on a virtual play – no costumes or props required! Find a script from your favourite movie, television show or play online and divide up the roles, with one participant reading the stage directions.
Talent Show
Picked up a new skill during social isolation? Consider organizing a neighborhood talent show to show it off, with participants each taking turns showing off a new skill or unusual ability.
Fashion Show
Turn that hallway into a runway! Create a list of runway categories in advance, then have everyone show off fun fashion looks – the sillier or more creative, the better. You can even have a couple of neighbours act as judges and score contestants.
If you do host a Virtual Block Party, we would love to hear about it! Post your story on social media and tag the City of Port Coquitlam, or use the hashtag #pocovirtualblockparty
Do you have activity ideas to share? E-mail us using the contact information below!
Rob Loxterkamp
Volunteer Services & Neighbourhood Development
Tel 604.927.7953
Email loxterkampr@portcoquitlam.ca
