(#746) 50 RESIDENT EVENTS YOU CAN DO ALL YEAR

50 RESIDENT EVENTS YOU CAN DO ALL YEAR

You’re here for an ultimate list of resident events that will wow, improve retention, and show resident appreciation. We’ve compiled 50 resident events property managers and leasing professionals can organize all year.

Jump to a specific category and get going!

Virtual • Grab-and-Go • Budget-Friendly • Host on Social Media • Luxury • Student Living • 55+ Living

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VIRTUAL RESIDENT EVENTS

LIVE FITNESS CLASS

The community that crushes goals together, stays together.

Help residents continue to reach their fitness goals with a virtual fitness class or month-long fitness challenge you host online.

NETFLIX WATCH PARTY

Help your residents simultaneously tune in virtually and watch their favorite TV shows or movies while live chatting with their neighbors. Entertainment + engagement = happy social distancing.

How to do it:

• Go to netflixparty.com on a Google Chrome browser and click "Get Netflix Party for free!" Click "Add to Chrome" and then click "Add extension" in the pop-up window. Netflix Party will then be added to the top right corner of your Google Chrome browser with the initials "NP."

• Using your Google Chrome browser, go to Netflix.com, and select the show or movie you want to watch. Then click the "NP" button on your browser. Important: you'll have the option of making yourself the one in charge. If you don't, anybody in your party will be able to take control.

• Click "Start the Party" and copy the URL that appears. Send this URL along with instructions on how to download Netflix Party to all your residents that rsvp’d.

VIRTUAL HANG CHALLENGE

Now, there are two ways you can go about doing this:

1. You can do it as a 7-day challenge! Download the design and post the graphics below on your social media channel and have residents tag you in their posts. If you want to add a contest element to it...even better!

2. Just post the "post your hang" graphic and encourage residents to put who they are zoomin' with in the comments. You don't have to commit to the entire 7 days!

VIRTUAL BINGO

Stay connected with your residents while also giving them ideas on how to spend their time at home.

Download an Instagram Story and post it. Ask your residents and prospects to screenshot and share their bingos. Post the responses! Tip: you might want to share yours first so they get the idea!

1. Post the Digital Squares on Instagram/Facebook:

   • Encourage followers to share their bingo or how many they had total. Ask extra questions: did anyone else “forget what day it is?”

   • Have them post fun pics where applicable. “Show us your best living room fort!”

VIRTUAL TALENT SHOW

Do you have a secret talent? Do any of your residents?? You’d be surprised what talents some people have if you ask! Host this virtual event to bring your community together. You’ll learn more about your residents, and have some fun while doing it!

BRING IT TO LIFE:

• Pick a submissions deadline, and let your residents know with one of the flyers or social graphics below.

  • If you are nervous about having participation in a live meeting, no worries! This event can be organized in advance free of technological difficulties.

• Promote, promote, promote! Encourage your residents to join the fun by reacting positively to ANY talent. No talent is too small! All of your residents deserve to feel valued.

• Ask residents to submit videos or photos of their performance and you can repost them to your social media feeds. Facebook works great for video engagement. People can react to videos with one click to show their support.

  • TIP: Create a playlist in Facebook or IGTV, and use a clear title. “_______ Apartments Hosts: Social Distance Talent Show”

  • Add all the video submissions there.

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GRAB-AND-GO RESIDENT EVENTS

BREAKFAST TREATS

The best way to your resident’s hearts is through their stomach!

And the options are endless:

• Breakfast tacos

• Granola bars

• Muffins, pastries or donuts

• Chick-fil-A mini sandwiches

HAPPY HOUR DRINKS

Ready to take the fun factor up a bit? Host a Happy Hour, but make it grab-n-go. A lot of residents love the idea of a happy hour on their own patio. Invite residents to RSVP for a boozy, pre-packaged pack.

A few ideas:

• Sangria

• Wine - mini bottles work great

• Margarita kit with a mini bottle of tequila, sparkling water, & lime

• Want to make it fancy? Get mini bottles of champagne.

CHIPS AND SIPS or Chips and Dips

In high school, my favorite snack was a bag of Ghardetto Mustard Pretzels and a Diet Coke. (I know…a champion diet!) But sometimes a bag of salty chips and a cold coke hits the spot.

Put together mini goodie bags with a variety of chips & sips that your residents can choose from.

TAKE-AND-BAKE DESSERT

Building your community through events doesn’t mean every event has to be hosted in your community room. Some residents don’t love to socialize but still appreciate an alternative event. Enter the Take & Bake event. You provide the ingredients, they take it home… everyone wins!

DO IT NOW IN 1-2-3:

1. Download the ready-to-use Take & Bake flyer and put it up in common areas for your residents to see. Grab the matching social media squares below to spread the word online.

2. Choose a baked good (we have a selection of flyers below) and buy the boxed mixes in bulk.

3. Post about it days before the actual event and announce it on the day of to make sure your residents can stop by!

PET TREATS

Yappy Hour: Pets, treats, toys, (and retention)! Show your community’s pets some love with this paw-esome event!

DO IT NOW IN 1-2-3:

1. Purchase some dog treats and maybe some pet brushes and tennis balls.

2. Send out the invitation below, post about it ALL over your social media with the graphics we’ve provided, and make sure your community knows to stop by with their pets.

   Pro tip: Make sure to take pics of all the pets to post and show how pet-friendly you really are!

Suggested social post:

Set up a playdate with your BFF (best furry friend) and _________Apartments! Join us for a Yappy Hour To-Go on ___(date) at ___ (time). We’ll have treats and sips!

TRAIL MIX

Simply purchase individual trail mix packets or make your own! Post on social media and on your resident portal to let your residents know you have a tasty snack waiting for them!

NOTE: Be sure to disclose all the ingredients as nut allergies are quite common.

SKINCARE FACE MASKS

Basket option:

• Arrange the face masks in a basket.

• Have a stack of flyers next to the basket so your residents can come in and scoop one up on their way home to their bubble bath + mask!

Treat bag option:

• Inside each treat bag place a ¼ page flyer and a face mask.

• Have those in a basket or somewhere where your residents can easily come on by and pick one up.

• Make sure to post the social media square to remind your residents to come on down for a relaxing treat! 

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WE’VE CREATED A MACK-DADDY EVENT CHECKLIST.

Grab it and print it out anytime you are hosting an event at your community. We make event preparation easy breezy!

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BUDGET-FRIENDLY

Take-and-bake brownies

You provide the ingredients, they take it home… everyone wins!

DO IT NOW IN 1-2-3:

1. Download the ready-to-use Take & Bake flyer and put it up in common areas for your residents to see. Grab the matching social media squares below to spread the word online. You can also click Here and search “LWYL” to see the entire “Love Where You Live” series.

2. Choose a baked good (we have a selection of flyers below) and buy the boxed mixes in bulk.

3. Post about it days before the actual event and announce it on the day of to make sure your residents can stop by!

Get your designs in THIS daily dose.

Coloring pages and Supplies

Print out coloring pages and purchase some crayons and create coloring kits! Set them up beautifully in a basket for parents to grab-and-go. This is excellent for residents or prospects.

Gift with Bag of Candy

Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet and so are you!

Anytime is a good time to roll out treats for your residents.

Surprise Friendly Note

Imagine it’s Monday morning, and you’re rushing to get out the door. You get to your car and see a note that says “Have a great day, number one mom!” or “You’re the best resident. We are thankful for you!” That would make our day, and we are sure your residents would love it too! Spread the love and make someone’s day with an unexpected surprise note. 

BRING IT TO LIFE

• Get together a list of residents you’d like to surprise and leave on their doorstep or do a blitz with your whole team and do it for all the cars in the parking lot.

• Print out your compliments on card-stock (so they’ll last longer) 

  • You can start generic with “Looking sharp! Have a great day!” or get a bit more personal if you know them well. “Good luck on your marathon!” “Have fun on your family vacation!” 

• Pick a day and assign a team member to head out before everyone is up and out the door to plant the surprises. 

  Important: Be sure to sign with “ - The Team at ____ Apartments”. You don’t want your residents getting creeped out, wondering who left them nice notes. 

DIY Plant bar

Plant babies. Plant Mom. Plant Whisperer. Plant culture is a major thing right now and we love it!

• Purchase some potted plants or herb growing kits.

• Set up a plant bar in the leasing office so your residents can just pop in and take a plant or grow kit with them!

Sidewalk chalk party

Entertain your residents and brighten up your community with a sidewalk chalk event!

Spread the word and set out a bucket of chalk sets! Bonus points for snapping pics and sharing the artwork on your social media pages.

Storytime

There is simply something magical about storytime.

Let someone on your team become a teacher/librarian for 30 minutes in-person or via Zoom. Let your residents know when story hour will be or have them rsvp to receive your zoom link.

Giveaway

Keep things interesting for your residents by hosting a fun giveaway this month. You pick the prize…big or small! Consider giving away a gift certificate for some pampering!

Tip: Communicate all the details. Let your residents know about the giveaway with details of the prize and how to enter. Be sure to also let them know when the winner will be announced. Once you draw for the winner, announce it on social media!

Lemonade Stand

To spike or not to spike. Kiddo lemonade vs adult lemonade 😉

• Start by setting up your table with your lemonade decor and cups or jars.

• Keep it simple for the kid’s lemonade by using the simple water and mix recipe or go homemade if you want to make it extra special! 

• Spike it up for the adult version! Check out this recipe we found on Pinterest.

• Now it’s time to get this party started!

• If you decide to have both the kid lemonade and the adult lemonade together, make sure to LABEL THE DRINK DISPENSER ACCORDINGLY! You won’t want to deal with that little mix up! 😜We recommend setting up different tables too for a little extra peace of mind! 

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HOST ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Selfie Challenge

Let your residents have some shameless fun with this 7-day selfie challenge! Use this as an opportunity to create a sense of community with your residents online.

Guess how many in jar

Get your residents involved in a little friendly contest. Guess how many candies are in the jar to win a prize! Who doesn’t love prizes and a little competition?

Scavenger hunt

A virtual scavenger hunt is a super fun way to connect with your residents! Here are some fun and themed ideas: Seasonal decor, Five Senses, Household Items, Rainbow, Work from Home or Teddy Bear Scavenger Hunts.

Balcony sing-a-long

Host a sing-a-long from the comfort of their personal balcony or patio.

Resident Instructions: Head out to your personal balcony or patio at 5pm and join us in a sing-a-long!

Tip: Make sure to choose a set of songs that residents will know the words to or provide the lyrics. We love themed sing-a-longs like: 80’s hits, etc.

Cleaning challenge

Everyone needs a little push to get the cleaning train rolling. Am I right? Challenge your residents to tidy up in more areas than one.

Pet Of The Month

Fill your social accounts with adorable pet pics from your community. Select a winner for the month and we guarantee your furry resident will feel extra pampered. Pampered pets = happy residents!

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LUXURY

Live music

Who doesn’t love live music? Consider hosting a series of performances (once a week or once a month) with different types of music: jazz, rock, country, etc. so there is something for everyone.

Food truck

Food Truck Friday can happen any day of the week!

DO FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY IN 1-2-3:

1. Make a list of yummy food trucks in your area and contact them to see if you can book them for Fridays at your community! This is a great opportunity for your community to support local businesses!

2. Have a schedule made for Food Truck Fridays (or any day of the week). Fill in which truck will be at your community each Friday - you can use the Sprout Blank Calendar! This will be helpful for you to remember AND for your residents :)

Charity car wash

Get your residents involved in a big way and for a big cause!

Up for some carwash fun? Host a carwash at your community in an area of your parking lot. Your residents will love this one. People love supporting something with a purpose, and are willing to participate if it’s giving back to a good cause.

BRING IT TO LIFE

1. Schedule a weekend that works for your team. You want them to join in, and be there for the event. 

2. Promote it before the event! Post it on your social media sites and around the community with event flyers. 

3. Prep for the event with all your supplies. Car soap, scratch-free sponges, water hoses, and buckets! 

4. Remember to have water bottles and a few snacks for your car washers. It can get hot out there! 

5. Post to social media, and tag the charity you’re contributing to if they have social accounts. 

Essential oil party

Hosting a virtual essential oil event is a fantastic way for you to get to know your residents while putting some wellness into their lives.

If one of your residents sells essential oils, this is a great way to promote their business while hosting a fun event and getting all your residents connected. Your goal is to create community while boosting everyone’s mood. (Bergamot oil is great for this! 😉)

Sip and Script

Expression, harmony and skill. Calligraphy is a visual art that’s alive and thriving. Bring some script fun to your community with this event!

Lawn Fitness (Yoga, HIIT)

Healthy residents will be happy residents. So whether you have a fantastic fitness center with all the bells and whistles or not, you can promote a healthy lifestyle in your community. Show them how to make it happen themselves with a great yoga on the lawn event or a HIIT class.

Pet Adoption (or Donation)

Is your community pet-friendly? Encourage your residents to add a new family member by adopting or fostering a pet.

Cooking class

CALLING ALL FOODIES! Ready to whip up some fun? And deliciousness?

“Do you love food? We do too. Join us with ______ (chef) from ______ (restaurant) for a night of amazing food and even better company! We can’t wait! Please DM or comment to let us know if you’ll be coming; there are a limited number of spaces.”

“Sushi? Let’s roll! We’ll learn how to make sushi like a pro. ______ (time and location details). We’ll have everything you need, just bring your smiling faces and a big appetite”

“Meal prep - on us. Bring your reusable containers for dinner tonight… and the next few, too! ______ (chef) from _______ (restaurant) will be showing us the ropes to make a healthy, delicious meal.

Blues, Brews, BBQ

Round up your residents for a big event - some good tunes, crisp drinks, and delicious grub - community building at its finest.

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STUDENT LIVING

Finals Snacks

“Give me a break” -Your residents during finals week. Give the people what they want!

Order some goodies to have in the office that are easy to just grab n’ go.

• Snacks

• Energy Drinks

• Stress Balls

• Study supplies: pens, pencils, sticky notes, highlighters, note cards, etc.

Sports watch party

Sports + a party = Sports Watch Party.

TRIVIA NIGHT

We’re putting an online twist to the classic game of Trivia. Trivia has now become easier than ever! Virtually host trivia on your social media channels to encourage engagement on your page. Make it a weekly event you host online - Trivia Tuesdays - you know how we love that alliteration!

Taco Tuesday

Taco Tuesdays for the win, y’all!

• Keep it simple and order tacos with all the fixings from a local taco shop.

• Don’t forget your paper plates, cutlery, cups and napkins!

• Grab your flyers and social media graphics to let your residents know about Taco Tuesday! Don’t forget your party signs!

• Set up a taco bar in the community area and have your residents stop in for some Fiesta fun!!

Compliment wall

Here is a FREE, but powerful event idea: A compliment wall. Put a smile on your resident’s faces by starting off with some unexpected compliments in unexpected places.

How to make it happen?

• Try this in the laundry center or the mailroom. Pick a place that’s not so exciting and would be happy to have a spruce up. 

• Give the room a facelift with chalkboard contact paper and a large frame! 

• Keep a bucket of colorful chalk right next to it for residents to use. 

• Get the compliments started with a few for your residents! 

  • “ ____ Apartments team loves our residents! We have the best people making up our community” 

  • “Our residents are the best! Their happy faces make it a pleasure to come to work every day!”

• Be sure to take photos and post on your social media sites to spread the love.

Slice of Life pizza

Use pizza to make your residents love you, and keep loving where they live! For every budget (of time and money) there’s a pizza event to fit.

• DO A GRAB-AND-GO (slice or whole pizza)

• HAVE RESIDENTS BUILD THEIR OWN

• HOME DELIVERY

• GET LUXE WITH IT (gourmet pizza)
  

Nacho night 

“Guac is NOT extra this night. It’s on us! Join us for Nacho Night. _______ (Time and Date details)”

Karaoke night

Order in some local appetizers or pizza! You can also just go for the snack foods: chips and dip, finger foods, etc. Think your residents will need a little “confidence juice” to let loose? ;) Grab some beers or easy drinks at the store, and some juices/soda for the already very confident karaoke stars!

• Don’t forget the decorations… spice it up with the karaoke party decorations from Amazon, we’ve linked them below, super fun props!

• Shoot out an email or make a post on social media asking your residents what songs they’d like to sing along to so you can make a playlist for the night!

• A crucial part of karaoke night…the karaoke machine! Check this best seller out on Amazon - budget-friendly version. You can also go big and invest in the real deal like this one!

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55+ LIVING

Fridge fill up

Can you imagine what a fridge full of love could mean to a senior?

Pick one senior and stock up their fridge or pantry with goodies! It’s beautiful to give back to residents, and really brighten someone's day.

Box of sunshine

This kind of package would brighten anyone’s day. Have you seen a resident a little blue lately? Pick a resident and do something special for them this week! 

Here’s how to do it: 

• Pick a resident. Don’t let them know! This will be a surprise. 

• Fill up that box of sunshine. It doesn’t have to be expensive! You can make a trip to the dollar store and set a $5 or $10 budget. Find any items that are small, yellow and useful.  

  • Yellow starbursts

  • Hand sanitizer

  • Pens

  • Balloons

  • Smiley face stickers! 

• Attach a flyer to the top and leave it at your resident’s doorstep. Add a yellow balloon for an extra touch of sunshine!

Great apartment bake-off

Get ready, get set, bake! Engage and entertain your residents with a baking contest. This can be in-person or virtual with the recipe and pictures of the final product.

Dinner drop off

Fake mustache? Check. Spaghetti plate? On it. Treat your residents to a dinner delivery, and make their evening a little easier. Why you should spoil your residents: 

• By providing dinner for your residents you’re meeting a need and making it fun at the same time. 

• Retention! Who wouldn’t want to renew at a community that delivers dinner sometimes?? We know we would. 

• Referrals! Can’t you just see friends telling each other about this? They’d rave over a community that cares about them.

Bingo night

The senior citizens at your community just want to have some fun! Spice up bingo night with a blast from the past nostalgic bingo and dancing!

Tropical Luau

How about a luau to spice up your residents’ afternoon?!

• Order some Luau decor and hula hoops from Amazon. Have the team dress up!

• Order some snacks from Amazon or grab some on your next trip to the store.

• Customize the invitation and make sure everyone gets one.

• Next up…Time to shake those hips!
  

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