Throwing a birthday party for your teenager can be a stressful thing, especially when you want to make sure it is a celebration they will remember for years to come. Teenagers want to feel like their special day is just as important as anyone else’s, and a great birthday party is the perfect way to make sure they know that.
It’s important to plan a birthday party that is safe, fun, and enjoyable for the teenagers who attend. That’s why we’ve compiled seven teenage birthday party ideas to make it a celebration to remember! From making sure the birthday party has the right food to choosing activities that everyone will enjoy, there’s a lot to think about. But with these fun and creative teenage birthday party ideas, you can make sure your teen’s birthday is unforgettable!
Whether you’re throwing a party at home or going out on the town, we’ll help turn these teenage birthday party ideas into well-planned events by helping you choose the right food and games. So, get ready to throw a party that all the teens will be talking about for months!
READ MORE: Why You Still Matter to Your Teenage Children
Tips for a Hassle-Free Party
First, let’s go over a few general party-planning tips for success.
- Start planning early: If you want the party to be a success, start planning three weeks in advance. Decide on a venue, guest list, and theme. Creating a timeline will help you to stay organized and on schedule.
- Set a budget: Before you start making any decisions, determine a budget so you can make sure you don’t overspend.
- Create a guest list: Make a list of your teenage birthday party ideas and figure out the number of guests you want to invite. Factor in if you want to include family and friends, or just those of the same age.
- Choose a theme: Once you’ve settled on the type of event, you can choose a theme that will make the party stand out. Some popular teenage birthday party ideas include a movie night, a scavenger hunt, or a campfire.
- Organize activities and entertainment: Activities such as video games, board games, and group competitions can help to keep the party going. You can also hire a DJ, a band, or a karaoke machine to provide entertainment.
- Provide food and drinks: Whether you choose to cater the event or serve snacks and drinks, make sure you provide some kind of refreshments for your guests.
- Send out invitations: Send out invitations three weeks in advance and make sure to include all the details such as the venue, dress code, time, and any additional information.
- Plan for supervision: If the teenagers attending the party are underage, make sure there are adults present to supervise.
With each of these details, make sure your child is involved (unless you are planning a surprise party). With friendships that can change every few weeks, music and fashion trends that are all over the place, and the ups and downs of a typical teenager’s mood, you really don’t want to mess anything up and cause him or her embarrassment. You also don’t want them overspending or promising food and entertainment that you cannot provide. Communication is key with each of these teen birthday party ideas!
READ MORE: 8 Ridiculously Easy Birthday Party Hacks
At-Home Parties
Some people might worry that their kids will be disappointed in an at-home, made-from-scratch, low-key birthday party. But, never fear. At-home parties can be epic, even with a budget or space limitations. Consider these teenage birthday party ideas and see if they will work with your logistics.
- Sweet Treats: This is the perfect Sweet 16 birthday party! Focus most of your budget on food, and get as many delectable desserts as you can! Set up a candy-themed photo booth, create a larger-than-life Candy Land game in the yard, let the party-goers decorate cupcakes and cookies – honestly, there is so much you can do with this theme! Just check on Pinterest for inspiration!
- Epic Movie Night: Everyone loves a movie night! This is a great idea for a teen who is a little more chill but still wants a memorable party. Set up an outdoor movie theater using a projector and white bedsheets, get some pillows and blankets or lawn chairs, and buy a ton of popcorn and movie snacks. If you can’t go outside due to the weather, try your basement or living room – maybe you can project the movie on the ceiling. Then, pick a few classic movies that everyone can enjoy (avoid anything that is overly violent or sexual unless you have permission from the parents of the guests). Pirates of the Caribbean, Princess Bride, or Avengers are some good options. Here are some follow-up ideas from Pinterest.
- Glow in the Dark Games: This is great for those teens who are really kids at heart! Plan the party a little later in the evening; perhaps offer pizza and birthday cake, and then plan for games to begin after dark. Once it’s night, bring out everything that glows! Ask guests to come wearing neon, and deck everyone out in glow sticks. Use your resources to play traditional games, just in the dark. For example, set up bowling by putting glow sticks in water bottles, or use glow-in-the-dark paint to make a Twister board or hopscotch area. It’s all very simple, but there’s something about the nighttime that makes it all more fun! Here are some Pinterest ideas you can dig into.
- Spa Day: Get your teen and her girlfriends together for a relaxing day at the spa, but without leaving your home! You can do all the typical spa day activities, like painting nails and doing facials. There are tons of recipes across the internet for homemade lip balms and lotions – have the guests make their own products that they can then keep as souvenirs! You can also put in extra effort to class it up a bit since you’re celebrating a big day! Try warming damp towels in a slow cooker, having cucumber or lemon water for guests, and offering finger sandwiches and tea for the meal. If you feel comfortable with slumber parties, have the guests come in their pajamas or loungewear, and turn on a rom-com when the evening winds down. There are thousands of ways to host a fun spa party, so let those creative juices flow! And, look on Pinterest for recipes and tips.
READ MORE: 10+ Fun Ideas for Memorable Birthday Party Alternatives
Out And About
Going out for a birthday can feel incredibly grown-up (a huge perk for most teens)! They can save your sanity by keeping the party out of your house, meaning less working playing hostess, cleaning, decorating, etc. But, they can also be more expensive and troublesome, especially if a reservation is needed or if venues are especially loud or restrictive about ages. Talk to your child about money and other constraints when you start going over your list of teenage birthday party ideas.
If your budget and schedule allow, consider taking your birthday boy or girl and a select group of friends to one of these special spots.
- Concert or Theater Production: Make sure parents of your child’s friends know about the concert and approve of the venue, crowd, and music or show. If you need help chaperoning, enlist another parent to go with you.
- Restaurant: Going out to dinner can seem a little “done” to some people, but it’s a beloved birthday tradition for many. Consider taking your child and his or her friends somewhere cool to celebrate. This might be a fancy fondue place, a celebrity-owned restaurant, or trendy new spot downtown! If you need ideas, search for a foodies group on Facebook that is set up for your specific area.
- Customization: Little kids love Build-a-Bear because they get to create something completely unique. As it turns out, older kids like that, too, but they don’t always want a teddy bear. Search online for places that let you create something all your own, like candles or makeup. Tie-dye shops and pottery studios are also becoming popular. This one might require a bit of research, but it’s sure to be fun and memorable for your teen!
READ MORE: 6 Things That Will Make Life Easier When Parenting Teens
Time to Party!
As parents, it’s important to many of us to make sure our teenagers’ birthdays are extra special. From a special dinner to throwing a big bash, there are plenty of teenage birthday party ideas out there for creating a memorable celebration. With the right combination of food, activities, decorations, and photo opportunities, you can create a memorable birthday for your teen and their friends. And really, as long as you are taking the time to celebrate in a way that he or she enjoys, that’s what matters. Communicate your love to your kids on their birthdays and they will feel special, guaranteed.
How did we do with this list of teenage birthday party ideas? Would your teen like any of these parties?
WANT TO READ MORE?
Check out 5 Great Older Kids Birthday Ideas to Help You Celebrate for more tips and tricks!
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