Birthday
Party Ideas for Teens
Megan just went to an amazing 13th birthday party
at Boston Trapeze and it got me thinking of birthday ideas for teens. I started doing my own research and here are
some great ideas from Zora Hughes an EHow Contributor:
Help
your teen come up with the perfect party theme.
When it comes to birthday parties for teenagers, one size
definitely does not fit all. For some teens, a cool house party is a
no-brainer, while others want to get as far away from home as possible. Save
yourself the headache of trying to come up with a birthday party idea for your
teen and let her take the lead on the type of party she'd like to have, within
your boundaries and budget. Whether at home or a nearby venue, you can help
make your teen's next birthday party one to remember.
The House Party
o Your
teen can have an awesome birthday party at home, whether indoors or out. Having
a theme for the party makes everything easier, as all the activities, decor and
food can be planned around it. Offer suggestions, but let your teen choose a
theme she thinks is cool. A 13-year-old girl might like a hot pink karaoke
party, while a hip 16-year-old might love a party based around the hottest
movie franchise of the moment. For the all-around sports-loving boy, a sports-themed
backyard party that includes basketball and water volleyball in the pool might
be right up his alley, while the science-fiction fanatic might want a Comic-Con
style birthday party, where everyone must come dressed as their favorite
science fiction character. Talk with your teen about the details of the party
to make sure that you can pull off the theme of their dreams within your
budget.
The Hotel and Club Party
o Splurge
on a hotel ballroom for a major milestone birthday, such as a Bar or Bat Mitzvah,
Quinceanera or a Sweet Sixteen. Most hotels with event venues have their own
event planners and caterers who can help you pull off an amazing party. You
could also rent out a local restaurant, lounge or nightclub for your teen's
special night, ideal for older teens. Have servers offer up a menu of
nonalcoholic mocktails, including a signature one that the birthday teen can
create. If you can't afford a full-on hotel or club party, a more laid-back
option would be to book a suite in a hotel for your teen and a handful of
friends. Get a room for yourself next door so you can monitor, while giving the
teens their space to have fun.
The Cool Activity Party
o Many
local teen-friendly attractions and entertainment venues offer birthday party
packages that would appeal to your teen. You could have a bowling birthday
party at night during "cosmic glow bowling." For older teens, an
upscale bowling lounge, such as the national chain Lucky Strike, would add a
slightly more sophisticated feel to the party. For the game-loving teen,
consider a party at an entertainment center that combines an arcade with a
restaurant, such as Dave and Busters or ESPN Zone. For the thrill seeker, get
discounted group admission for your teen and a bunch of friends to an amusement
park, where they can ride every roller coaster, or a water park, where they can
race down the tallest speed slides. Most amusement parks have pavilions that
you can reserve for a party celebration as well.
The Getaway Party
o Your
teen might love the idea of a party out of town so that it feels like a
getaway, or so that she's not having the same type of party as everyone else in
town. If you live within a couple of hours from a ski resort, a ski lodge party
might be perfect for a winter birthday, provided it's feasible for her guests
to get there. For a summer birthday, perhaps you could rent out a cabin by the
lake just outside of town. Make sure to get several other parents to help you
chaperone. If there's a campground relatively close, your teen might have a blast
with an overnight camping party, with plenty of adults to supervise and help
with the campfire and other safety concerns.
