Community Socials

National Kite Flying Day is Feb. 10, which means it's time to get out the kites and let 'em fly! To celebrate, you can arrange a fun kite craft or make kites of your own! Here’s a video with super simple step-by-step kite-making instructions. You can even have residents color and decorate their kites for added fun! Want to make the activity into a full craft and storytime? Check out the book Kite Day: A Bear and Mole Story by Will Hillenbrand. Here's a book preview: Some kite related crafts include mini paper kites using scrapbook paper (or wrapping paper) and straws. You can also make lunch bag box kites decorated with stickers and paint! For more kite craft...

Reduce energy costs in resident’s homes this month. To officially participate, residents will need to provide a few things. Set an energy consumption baseline Have residents bring in a copy of their previous year’s bill for the same month. If they haven't been with your community that long, they can also bring their previous month’s bill. Just make sure it states the exact amount of gas and/or electricity used the month prior so you can determine a baseline. Get residents thinking about their energy usage. Give ideas of ways they can conserve resources and cash in the year ahead. Though it may be hard for some in the family to do… via GIPHY Create a checklist and give energy-saving ideas Provide a list...

Jan. 21 is National Soup Swap Day and not a moment too soon! Chilly temperatures and the presence of all our warm socks and blankets means that we could all use a little extra something to warm us up! Encourage residents to participate in this fun soup swap social. They can come grab one bowl at the event and take another back home for later! ***TIP*** Keep to-go bowls and bags on hand for soup swapping between residents so everyone can take extras home for later! You can also encourage residents to bring their own Tupperware to the event for taking home their neighbors’ soups! Bring the whole pot! Crock pots and Instapots are totally in vogue. They’re also one of the easiest and most convenient ways to make and transport soup. ...

Jan. 29 is National Puzzle Day and what better way to celebrate than to invite residents indoors for a puzzle extravaganza! Gather puzzles for all ages Invest in a variety of 2-D and 3-D puzzles for all ages and abilities. Include large heavy duty floor puzzles for toddlers plus more intricate (and more difficult!) puzzle sculptures. Puzzles like this 2’ x 3’ 48 pieces jumbo “building site” floor puzzle are perfect for little hands: Image source: Amazon ***TIP*** You can also scour garage sales and thrift stores for old puzzles - but do remember (if you do buy used) to ensure the puzzles have all the pieces! Nothing is more frustrating than a missing piece! via GIPHY ...

While we all love fun and silly apartment community events and games, sometimes we also are in the position of making a difference in our residents' lives. While not an apartment community, a South Carolina teacher has gone above and beyond to enrich his community by creating a "Gentleman's Club" (Fortunately they just changed the name to "Boys With Purpose") for at risk boys who don't have a father presence in their lives. The program helps teach the boys how to become gentlment by learning how to shake hands, make eye contact, and even dress up by supplying jackets to those that can't afford them. I honestly don't know if this is something that can be pulled off by an apartment community alongside dedicated volunteers, but even if it can't, maybe this serves as inspiration for other ways to create a positive impact...