Want to take part in First Friday but don’t know what activity to offer?

Each month, the Greater Kokomo Downtown Association encourages participants to join in on the theme to make First Friday even more fun — though it’s not required! Whether you go all out or keep it simple, the goal is to create a great experience for attendees.

We did some brainstorming to help get your creative juices flowing! To help, we’ve put together a mix of low-barrier (quick and easy) and high-barrier (more involved) ideas.

We’re here to help! If you have questions or need assistance, contact Casie Braden with the Greater Kokomo Alliance via email here or call 765-457-5301.

MORE INVOLVED ACTIVITIES

Live Art Demonstrations: Invite local artists to paint, draw, sculpt, or create live during the event, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process.

Community Mural or Art Piece: Host a collaborative art project where attendees can add a brushstroke, flower, or design element throughout the evening.

Bloom Bar or Floral Workshop: Set up a build-your-own bouquet station or offer mini floral-arranging workshops using fresh or faux flowers.

Art Exhibit or Gallery Pop-Up: Curate a temporary art display featuring local artists, student work, or spring-inspired pieces.

Interactive Art Stations: Create hands-on experiences like watercolor florals, printmaking, sidewalk chalk art, or mixed-media flower creations.

QUICK & EASY ACTIVITIES

Art Display or Artist Spotlight: Showcase artwork in your space or feature a local artist with a small display.

Flower-Themed Specials: Offer floral-inspired food, drinks, discounts, or products for the evening.

Bloom Photo Spot: Create a simple flower wall, floral backdrop, or spring-themed photo area.

Art Giveaway or Raffle: Enter visitors into a drawing to win a small piece of art or flower-themed item.

Dress in Bloom: Encourage staff or participants to wear floral patterns, bright colors, or spring-inspired accessories.

MORE INVOLVED ACTIVITIES

Strawberry-Themed Craft Station: Set up a table for making strawberry-inspired crafts, decorations, or kids’ art projects.

Live Music or Performance: Feature local bands, performers, or dance groups to entertain festival-goers.

Community Mural or Chalk Art: Invite visitors to contribute to a temporary mural or sidewalk chalk design inspired by strawberries or summer.

Interactive Game or Activity: Organize games like a strawberry relay, scavenger hunt, or fun summer challenges for attendees.

QUICK & EASY ACTIVITIES

Strawberry Treats or Samples: Offer small bites, jams, or drinks featuring strawberries.

Photo Spot: Create a strawberry-themed backdrop for guests to snap and share photos.

Featured Product or Special: Highlight a seasonal or strawberry-inspired item for visitors to try or purchase.

Raffle or Prize Drawing: Invite guests to enter for a chance to win strawberry-themed or summer prizes.

Dress in Festival Colors: Encourage staff and visitors to wear red, pink, or strawberry-themed outfits to get into the festival spirit.

MORE INVOLVED ACTIVITIES

Patriotic Craft Station: Set up a table for making flags, star-themed decorations, or red, white, and blue crafts.

Live Music or DJ: Feature local bands or DJs playing patriotic tunes, summer hits, or community favorites.

Flag or Banner Decorating: Offer supplies for visitors to decorate mini flags or banners to take home.

Birthday Cards for America: Provide materials for guests to create cards celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday.

Interactive Games: Organize lawn games, relay races, or summer challenges for families and friends.

QUICK & EASY ACTIVITIES

Patriotic Treats or Drinks: Serve small red, white, and blue snacks or non-alcoholic refreshments.

Photo Spot: Create a themed backdrop with stars, stripes, and summer elements for guests to snap photos.

Featured Product or Special: Highlight a patriotic- or summer-themed item for visitors to try or purchase.

Raffle or Prize Drawing: Invite guests to enter a drawing for themed prizes, like summer fun or patriotic items.

Dress in Red, White & Blue: Encourage staff and visitors to wear patriotic colors for fun and festive photos.

Reasons We Love America: Set up a station where visitors can write down and share why they love America.

MORE INVOLVED ACTIVITIES

“Gym Class”: Host fitness challenge stations or games such as basketball to promote physical activity and healthy habits.

“Career Day”: Invite local professionals from various fields to highlight their careers and offer hands-on experiences.

Language Learning: Invite a local language expert to help guests learn a new language such as Spanish, Korean, Sign Language, etc.

Art Classes: Bring in local artists to teach guests how to paint, draw, or sculpt a masterpiece.

Music Classes: Bring in local musicians to teach guests how to sing or play a simple instrument.

Financial Literacy: Invite local experts to teach guests about budgeting, saving, and managing money.

QUICK & EASY ACTIVITIES

Memory Game: Test or strengthen people’s memories with a simple activity such as object-recall or photo matching.

Trivia: Organize a trivia quiz with questions on various topics such as history, science, pop culture, and more.

History Timeline: Set up a station with historical photos and a timeline to encourage guests to place an event in its proper place in time.

School Spirit Discount: Offer discounts to customers who wear their school-branded apparel.

School Spirit Displays: Decorate your business or booth with school-related decorations.

Photo Booths: Create a back-to-school photo booth for people to snap yearbook-worthy photos.

MORE INVOLVED ACTIVITIES

Live Music or DJ: Feature local musicians or a DJ to bring beats to your space and energize the crowd.

Interactive Art Station: Set up a hands-on art activity like painting, drawing, or crafts for visitors to create and take home.

Cooking or Food Demo: Invite a local chef or food vendor to demonstrate a recipe or cooking technique for guests.

Art & Music Collaboration: Pair live music with a live art creation, such as painting or mural-making during the event.

Tasting Tour: Offer samples of different foods from local restaurants or food artisans for visitors to explore.

QUICK & EASY ACTITIVIES

Featured Dish or Product: Highlight a special menu item, snack, or product to draw in visitors.

Photo Booth or Wall: Set up a themed backdrop where visitors can snap photos and share on social media.

Mini Art Giveaway: Give away small pieces of local art or creative items to visitors who stop by.

Playlist Takeover: Curate a playlist for your space that fits the theme and invites guests to enjoy the music while they shop or explore.

Social Media Spotlight: Encourage visitors to post about your business using a specific hashtag for a chance to be featured.

MORE INVOLVED ACTIVITIES

Pumpkin Painting: Invite people to paint their own mini pumpkin.

Mask Decorating: Host a mask making station for guests to create their own spooky mask.

Spooky Storytelling: Set up a cozy area with hay bales and blankets where a storyteller can share spooky tales.

Pumpkin Bowling: Use small pumpkins as bowling balls and set up pins decorated as ghosts or monsters.

QUICK & EASY ACTIVITIES

Treat Distribution: Hand out candy or other treats to trick-or-treaters of all ages.

Costume Discounts: Offer discounts to customers who wear a Halloween costume. You can also promote Halloween-themed food, drinks, or products!

Halloween window decorating: Decorate your windows or storefronts with themed decor.

Spooky Playlist: Play spooky ambience or Halloween-themed music in your space (think of songs like “Thriller” and “This Is Halloween”).

MORE INVOLVED ACTIVITIES

Live Music: Host a local musician or band to entertain customers while they shop or to entice visitors to your business.

Food Tasting Stations: Set up booths with samples from local restaurants, bakeries, and food artisans to give visitors a taste of what the community has to offer.

Shopping Bag Decorating: Host a shopping bag making station that people can decorate and use while they shop.

QUICK & EASY ACTIVITIES

Featured Product: Unveil a new or unique product or service at your business to intrigue customers.

Gift Card/Certificate Drawing: Invite customers to enter their name into a drawing to win a gift card/certificate to a local business.

Social Media Challenge: Encourage customers to snap a selfie in front of your business or booth and tag you for their chance to win a prize.

Themed Treats or Beverages: Offer a small, non-alcoholic refreshment like hot cocoa, cider, or a specialty drink to enhance the stroll experience.

MORE INVOLVED ACTIVITIES

Holiday Craft Station: Set up a table with supplies for ornaments, cards, or festive decorations for visitors to make and take home.

Character Meet-and-Greet: Invite a beloved holiday character like Santa, an elf, or a winter mascot to visit guests.

Live Holiday Music: Feature local musicians performing seasonal tunes to create a cheerful atmosphere.

Festive Window or Space Decorating: Host a decorating activity where visitors can help add holiday touches to your storefront or booth.

Community Giving Station: Collect small donations, toys, or non-perishable items to support a local charity during the event.

QUICK & EASY ACTIVITIES

Holiday Treats or Drinks: Offer small seasonal treats or non-alcoholic beverages to guests.

Ugly Sweater Contest: Encourage staff or visitors to wear their favorite holiday sweater and vote for the best one.

Seasonal Product or Gift Feature: Highlight a new, seasonal, or holiday-themed product to attract visitors.

Raffle or Prize Drawing: Invite guests to enter a drawing for a holiday-themed prize.

Photo Spot: Create a simple festive backdrop or display for visitors to snap photos and share on social media.

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