Summer event ideas for HOA communities: 10 creative activities

Are you searching for summer event ideas? Then this is the right place for you.

With the summer heat in your favor, we understand the urgency of finding event ideas to engage residents in their living hub. Community bonding should be practiced all year round, and many initiatives can help you make the most of your bright and sunny summer days.

For this reason, we have curated a list of 10 creative examples of summer event ideas that you can incorporate into your community event calendar this season, whether you live in a condo or a high-rise; these are friendly for residents of all home styles to enjoy:
 

Summer event ideas for your HOA

Ice cream social

What is more classic than an ice cream social to help your residents beat the summer heat? It is a popular event for many reasons, as it almost always brings the residents together with some sweet treats and casual conversations. You can begin the setup by having different ice cream flavors and various toppings tabled for the residents to self-serve. You could also consider having event organizers from your board serve the portions if that is preferred instead. Just be sure you have dairy-free options for those with special dietary needs.

You could take it one step further and let the community decide on the flavors to see what is more in demand. If your HOA community funds allow, you may want to consider calling an ice cream shop or truck to have more unique flavors and a hint of more excitement. Interactive activities surrounding this summer event could include a topping competition contest or voting for the top favorite ice cream flavor!
 

Walk for a cause

This summer, try switching your typical summer event for one that supports a more significant cause! If you are passionate about a specific project or have someone in your community you would like to help through this initiative, this can be a great fitting option.

Begin by asking! Other residents and board members may already work with a charity or have another cause in mind. The walk can be done right in your own community, and for those who live in residences without a park or walking area, you could take this as an opportunity to explore your local park! To have everyone walk together, you can also encourage participants to follow the walking path created for the group.

This event is a great option for those who seek to promote physical activity and foster a sense of purpose and community! After the walk, host a small celebration with refreshments and perhaps invite a representative from the chosen charity to speak about their work.
 

Summer Declutters

If you or your community are overwhelmed by items accumulated over time, summer can be a perfect opportunity to repurpose or rehome these unwanted pieces. These can include clothing, toys, electronics, furniture, or even books. There are many areas and wats to declutter homes. 

You can take this moment to coordinate with local charities or second-hand stores that accept donations. Then, you can place a drop-off box for your community to make any donations they would like. If you are looking for a different alternative, another simple and effective plan is a garage sale. This does not necessarily need to occur in a garage, but having an area where the community can sell their items for a much lower price can get them out of their way and bring in some extra cash. Another option is an item swap event, where you can have residents bring unwanted items they would like to trade with someone else in the community. These ideas are engaging and can help get the community closer together while enhancing their living spaces.
 

Pool Gatherings

Another classic example of summer events! Pool gatherings can be just what your community needs to cool down on hot summer days.

First things first, have the proper pool safety measures in place! After that is handled, you may begin the fun part. If your residence has a pool, you can use it to create themed pool parties if you want to elevate the experience. If your community does not have a pool, you can always gather at a public pool, beach, river, or lake in the area. You can list activities that include games such as volleyball or relay races. It would help if you also considered having plenty of pool floats and toys available for everyone. For food, it can be a potluck event, where all residents attending can each contribute with food and tabling items, or you can always do a BBQ or cater food!
 

Pet Day

We all want our furry friends to enjoy the summer season as well. You can plan and dedicate a day for all pet owners in the community to bring their pets to a designated area for them to meet and play. You could plan games with prizes or bring assorted treats for various pets who will be attending. You can also have a pet photo booth for owners to have event pictures and share later; this can be an excellent way for the community to cherish this memory for a long time! Another fun initiative is contests, where some pet contestants receive a category such as "most unique pet."

If you want to include additional and helpful perks in this event, you can coordinate with local shelters or veterinaries and hold an "annual check-up" event instead, where residents can bring their loyal companions for a quick health check. Both ideas are great ways to bring pet owners and animal lovers together in your community.

Do not forget to account for pet relief areas; if your community does not have a pet-friendly location, you may plan to have the event at a local park with an area reserved for this.
 

Game Night

A night full of games and fun is not only a night in with friends. This summer event idea is versatile and can easily be crafted for a wider audience.

You should begin by finding a place within your community grounds that allows plenty of room for different groups of people. We suggest a lounge room, or it can even be outdoors. You can bring games that cater to all ages and interests; chess, Jenga, trivia, Mario Kart, and bingo are just a few examples. These can all be separated into a designated area where those interested can play. If you plan on having the event in an outside area, you can even get creative and have games like hide-and-seek, cornhole, and twister!

Prior to the event, you can always have the residents submit ideas for which games they would like to see. This is also an opportunity to encourage them to bring their favorite games to share with the rest of the attendees. If you would like to provide light snacks and beverages, this can help keep the energy high during the night for residents attending to mingle, make new friends, and show off their competitive spirit in a fun, relaxed environment.
 

Outdoor activity day

If your community enjoyed the “game night” outdoor initiatives, an activity day would be ideal for those who prefer this alternative. Planning a day filled with games and other fun activities can allow the whole family to enjoy. Try to create stations for non-game-like initiatives such as face painting, bubble blowing, kite flying, and arts and crafts. For the more physical parts of the event, you can have areas for those interested in participating in volleyball games, scavenger hunts, obstacle courses, and even inflatable bounce houses.

Like for any outdoor event, follow the proper safety standards. Consider having rest areas, as well as food and refreshments, to keep your community fueled and hydrated for a day of activities under the sun.
 

Cookouts

If you have not already included a cookout in other events, a stand-alone option can be ideal for this time of year. You can have a community-inclusive and interactive option where all residents can partake in a specific food item: one can grill the corn, another the sausages, and the rest the steak, hotdogs, burgers, you name it! You can also have engaging competitions for the attendees where they can show off their grill master skills. To unite even more residents, consider having multiple food options to cater to all dietary preferences.

If you live in a high-rise, your community pool may include grills for this event to be planned. If your residence does not have grills, many local parks have grills for you to use. For a more fun and festive atmosphere, do not forget to consider providing a DJ or having speakers for some music.
 

Neighborhood Cleanup

If you are looking for more than one summer event idea that gives back, consider giving back to your community itself! For example, a neighborhood cleanup day can foster community pride and environmental awareness. This can be arranged for all types of residences, as you can do so around your building or inside community areas such as playgrounds, pools, or parks.
It is essential to provide volunteers with gloves, trash bags, and safety vests. You can then plan accordingly, divide the participants into different zones, and assign teams to each area. After the cleanup, a grand gesture to thank the volunteers for their hard work can be done through a celebration.
 

Karaoke Night

We saved one of the best for last. If you plan an end-of-summer event, you can say goodbye to the season on a high note with a community karaoke night. You can begin the setup with a stage with proper sound equipment and a large screen for lyrics. For song selection, consider creating a diverse song list that caters to different musical tastes and generations.

However, all karaoke nights do not have to look the same. You can have more creative initiatives like the ones used in the previous event ideas. For example, you could organize fun superlative categories like "best duet" to encourage participation. For those who are shy about singing solo, you can create group numbers or lip-sync battles. As a tip, we encourage you to create a relaxed, supportive atmosphere where residents can let loose and have fun.

Incorporating these creative summer event ideas into your HOA community calendar allows residents to connect, have fun, and build a stronger sense of community. Remember to gather feedback after each event to continually improve and tailor future activities to your residents' interests.

To learn how FirstService Residential can support your community's vision, contact a member of our team.