Planning a birthday party for a teenager can be tricky. While they’re past the age of childish party activities, they still crave some sort of structure for their celebrations. This is why choosing the right theme is key. By doing so, you can plan an entertaining and memorable event for your child’s entire friend group.
To start planning out your teen’s party, be sure to involve them in the process. Brainstorm some ideas based on their interests, personality, and the season of their party. To get you started with the planning process, consider the following ideas.
Bonfire
This party theme is perfect for a laid back, outdoor-loving teen. Plan the party for a weekend night and schedule it to start a few hours before sundown. Bonfire parties are a great opportunity for grilling, so consider serving hot dogs and hamburgers to your child and their friends. Fill a cooler or ice bucket with water bottles and soda.
To set the mood for the party, be sure to decorate the backyard with string lights and lanterns. Play music on a bluetooth speaker by the fire pit, and encourage guests to bring any ukuleles and guitars. As the sun goes down, the teens can roast marshmallows and play music.
Arcade games
This weatherproof birthday theme provides a full afternoon of nostalgic fun for your teen and their friends. Organize arcade game rentals for the day of your child’s party and set them up around your house. Encourage guests to express their inner child by serving pizza and classic desserts like chocolate chip cookies. If you want to embrace the vintage side of this theme, organize a milkshake bar in place of cake. You might also consider purchasing prizes for the teens with the highest game scores.
Black tie
Teens rarely have an occasion to get all dressed up, so guests will be thrilled to attend your teen’s “black tie” birthday party (even if the dress code is a little more lax in reality). Work with your teen to choose the dress code. Semi-formal is generally a good option for teens, since they’ll be able to wear something they have in their closet. Serve finger foods and sparkling grape juice in champagne glasses to help the guests feel extra fancy.
Also remember that you can take fancy birthday parties in many different directions. If you want to add another twist on this theme, turn it into a murder mystery or time period party.
Pool party
For summer birthdays, there is nothing better than a pool party. If your teen decides to throw this warm-weather bash, you can make your backyard a beach-themed paradise. If you don’t have a pool, look into hosting the party at your local pool club or community pool. While the pool provides all of the entertainment you need, you may also want to provide lawn games as an alternative activity. As for food, ask your teen whether they want a beach-themed cake, and of course, fire up the grill for some barbecue.
Spa day
A spa day can be an ideal indoor gathering, especially if your teen’s birthday is in the winter. Work with your teen to set up a full spa in your house. This can include a manicure station, foot baths, and facial area. Decorate your home with flowers, handmade signs, and a pretty spread of snacks. You and a few other parents can provide the spa treatments. You can buy affordable pampering products at the drugstore or grocery store, so go with your teen to pick some out. Personalize the experience even more by providing flip flops and robes for the guests to wear.
No matter your teen’s personality, you can create an unforgettable day with some creativity and research. Just be sure to start the planning process early, as you might need to order party supplies and decorations. All of your effort will be worth it once you see the smile on your child’s face.
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