Participating in fun activities is a big part of living in a homeowners association. But, whether you have a large or small community, it can be difficult to think of HOA activities that appeal to everyone. Here are the best activities you can plan for your HOA.
Fun HOA Activities to Organize for Your Community
Homeowners associations don’t just exist to collect fees and enforce rules. A large aspect of running an HOA is building a sense of community among the residents. And, as many board members know, this is no easy feat. It is often challenging to instill camaraderie between neighbors, especially if you have countless members.
This is where HOA activities come in. Association activities are great for social interactions and add to the overall HOA experience. And those living outside an HOA community don’t usually get to participate in them. Members can enjoy themselves in a safer and more secure environment with exclusive activities.
If your board wants to plan more events, here are the best HOA activity ideas for your community.
1. Swimming Classes
Consider organizing a regular swimming class for kids in your neighborhood. These classes are great because kids can have fun while learning how to swim. Plus, they get to interact with other kids in the community.
Of course, there are potential liability considerations your board must consider. The HOA might find itself liable for the swim instructors and students. The association owns the pool, so it is responsible for maintaining a safe learning environment for everyone. The HOA may also face trouble if an instructor or student behaves inappropriately.
A good way around this is to have all vendors indemnify the association for any problems. Instructors should also have adequate liability insurance coverage. Generally, it is also best to keep swimming classes exclusive to residents. Opening the class to the general public can also bring forth ADA compliance issues.
2. Movie Nights
Movie nights are always fun, and they’re great for everyone. Pick a place that can accommodate a large audience, such as your HOA clubhouse or an outdoor grassy area. And while the HOA can provide snacks and beverages, it is more cost-efficient to encourage residents to bring their own. As for which movies to watch, it is best to shoot for family-friendly movies. Those are the ones that tend to appeal to a broader audience.
Because movie nights are typically hard to schedule and organize, you may want to space them out. A movie night once a month or once every two months is an excellent way to start.
3. Garage Sales
A community-wide garage sale is an excellent choice if you’re looking for HOA event ideas encouraging participation. You can schedule it over an entire weekend and encourage all residents to participate. While they can open up their garages or yards for this, you can also hold it at the HOA clubhouse if there are a lot of participants. Residents can head to one place if they want to browse.
4. Martial Arts Classes
Self-defense is always a valuable life skill. Your HOA should consider holding martial arts classes for both kids and adults. The type of martial arts will depend on you, as there are several, such as karate, taekwondo, and judo.
Again, there are certain liability concerns you must remember here. The nature of the class can put students at risk of harm or injury, so the HOA should be prepared. There’s also the responsibility of providing a safe space to host the class, with padding and mats. When in doubt, it is best to consult a lawyer for advice.
5. Trivia Nights
Who says trivia nights are just for pubs and bars? Your HOA community can host one for residents, too. Trivia nights are great because they allow members to show off their knowledge. And there’s a wide range of trivia categories you can choose from. You can have movie trivia nights, television trivia nights, sports trivia nights, and more.
Residents can form teams, with the winning team earning a nice prize. It doesn’t even have to be an expensive one. Something as simple as gift vouchers to a local restaurant is already enough.
6. Board Game Nights
If trivia isn’t up your alley, try board games. Thousands of board games are available today, and each one offers plenty of fun. You can even have themed nights for board games. For instance, for a kids’ board game night, go with child-friendly games such as Sushi Go!, Ticket to Ride, and Exploding Kittens. Save the more complicated board games for the adults.
7. Pet Dates
You might want to organize community-wide pet dates if your association allows pets. This is great for communities that already have a sizable green space to work with. Some companies can set up pet playgrounds for you if you don’t. Residents can bring their pets in and have them mingle with one another. Just remind pet owners of their responsibilities, such as picking up after their pets and keeping a close eye on them.
As with other activities, there are liability concerns involved with pet dates. You don’t want the HOA to be held liable in case of injury or death. As such, it is important to carry the appropriate insurance and maybe even ask residents to sign waivers. Seeking legal counsel is advised.
8. Bingo Nights
Don’t forget about the seniors in your community! Elderly residents don’t tend to participate in many HOA activities because of mobility issues. As such, it is important to create an activity that will accommodate them. Bingo is a popular choice.
As with board game nights, bingo nights need ample space and resources. Fortunately, you can find many bingo sets available online. There are even ones you can print on your own.
9. Fitness or Exercise Classes
Exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. An excellent way to keep residents active while fostering community at the same time is to organize a fitness class. Activities such as Zumba, yoga, aerobics, and jazzercise are excellent choices. Of course, you will likely need to hire an instructor for this. Alternatively, you might ask for a volunteer from the community to lead the exercise class.
10. Nature Walks
If a two-hour aerobics class seems too tiring, why not go for a nature walk? Community walks allow residents to get their hearts pumping while admiring the beauty of nature. This only works if your community has a sizable green space, but simply walking through the neighborhood is a good option, too.
11. Sports Tournaments
Sports tournaments are the way to go for a lively HOA activity that encourages healthy competition. Depending on the demographics of your association, this can be a sports tournament that caters to adults or a family-focused one.
It is also essential to tailor your games according to your resources. For instance, you can’t have a volleyball match without a court.
At the end of the tournament, you can crown the winning team and present them with a prize and consolation prizes to the runners-ups.
Have an Enjoyable Time!
As you can see, there are plenty of HOA activities you can organize for your community. And while you likely don’t have time or resources for all of them, there are certainly one or two that will fit your needs and budget.
Elite Management Services offers help with HOA event management and planning, among other things. Call us today at (855) 238-8488 or contact us online to get a free estimate!
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