Teen Birthday Party Ideas

Teen Birthday Party Idea Considerations

Before you decide on a theme for your teen's birthday party, here are a few questions you should answer:

• What is my budget for this party? While some of the ideas listed are budget-friendly, others are quite costly.
• How many teens will we invite?
• Will this be a co-ed party?
• Will I need additional chaperones?
• Do I plan to have this party at home or at another location?
• Will I hire professionals to help with the party?
• Will this be an overnight party? If not, how long will the party last?

Once you have a general idea of the type of birthday party you are interested in, you are ready to consider teen birthday party ideas. We have compiled a diverse list of birthday party themes for teens. Some of the ideas are ours, butmany of the ideas have come directly from our teen readers and their parents. If you have more ideas you'd like to see added to this article, please let us know in the comments section of this article!

Mind-Bending Parties

Murder Mystery Party

This could be a take off from the game "Clue". Host-a-Murder.com offers customized murder mystery games.

Scavenger Hunt Party

Brenna contributed the following mall scavenger hunt party idea. Give teens a list of items to search for, including the following: .

1. One signature from a security guard
2. The name of a store in which the first letter is not capitalized
3. A magazine that has a picture of a popular music artist, actor, or actress in it
4. A free sample of something cinnamon-flavored
5. The ugliest-looking cosmetic item you can find
6. Something free from a store named after an itchy foot condition
7. A coffee sleeve from Starbucks
8. The cheapest item you can find at Claire’s-get it and list the price
9. A tropical-smelling perfume sample
10. A mall directory
11. A notepad with an animal on the front cover
12. A straw with a wrapper that is not only white
13. Write something in Spanish off of a payphone
14. A picture of your entire group together
15. The tiny sample spoon you get at an ice cream store
16. A take-out menu
17. What color is the hair of the center mannequin in Limited Too’s right-side window?
18. Anything from a 25 cent or 50 cent machine

Outdoor Parties

Bonfire Party

For a great boy/girl party, one of our parents suggested creating a bonfire party. She stated that providing a bonfire for roasting hotdogs and marshmallows, as well as creating a dance area on a carport or garage was an inexpensive fun way to host a great party.

Barn Party/Hayride

If your party falls during cooler weather and you live in the country, why not host a barn party? Decorate the barn, hang some string lights, put out finger foods, and crank up the music. For added fun, hitch a trailer filled with hay to a tractor or pickup, and take the teens for a ride through the pasture and woods nearby! This makes a great date party.

Halloween Party

If your birthday falls around Halloween, then create a haunted house or haunted field or forest. If you have access to a pasture or woods, create a trail through the field, and station various "spooks" along the trail, or fix up a basement with boxes, sheets, etc., and have some friends dress up as ghosts and goblins. Have someone with a flashlight lead the party guests through the haunted house or field, so the monsters can jump out and scare them! When you are planning for this party, have everyone bring their extra masks and other costume accessories, so you can see what you have available.

Survivor Party

Create a party based on the popular show Survivor. Divide the party participants into teams. You can purchase or make inexpensive bandanas in team colors to give to each participant. Hold the party in your backyard, at a park, or even the beach. Create challenges, such as scavenger hunts, relay races, skills tests, and food-eating contests. You can also ask teams to vote off members after each competition if you choose, or if you don't want to do that, award everyone on the surviving team with gift certificates to video stores, ice cream shops, etc.

Luau Party

Even if you don't have access to a pool, you can create a luau in your own backyard. Find cheap party supplies at Oriental Trading, add some music and tropical foods, including punch, pineapple, coconut, etc. Then, let teens dance, play games, etc.

Crafty Parties

Beading Party

Girls of all ages enjoy creating jewelry out of beads and string, but teenagers can handle smaller, more intricate designs. Jewelry parties can be a relatively cheap party or quite expensive, depending on the type of beads you select. Auntie's Beads offers all of the beads, wire, charms, and tools you need to create beautiful beaded jewelry.

Tie Dye Party

Tie dye is another fun and easy craft project for teenagers. It also ties in well with a Hippies themed birthday party. Use brightly colored decorations and hang flowers and peace signs around the room. Have guests wear bell bottoms, hip huggers, and sandals. Music from the 60's and lava lamps complete the party.

Luxury Parties

Limo and Event Party

Is there a concert, sporting event, or theater production coming to town? Make that the center of your teen's formal birthday party. Rent a limo and pick your guests up in style. Make sure the limo is stocked with teen-friendly food and beverages. Even if there is no event planned, you can still have a limo party. Just pick guests up and drive around or go to a movie.

Spa Party

Book a day at the spa for yourself, your daughter, and a few friends. Treat everyone to manicures, pedicures, massages, and more. Young ladies love to be pampered, and this is a birthday party fit for a queen.

Makeover Party

This is a great girls-only slumber party idea. Have all the girls bring their make-up, style magazines, and nicest clothes. Take turns giving each other makeovers. If you prefer, you can take the girls out for salon makeovers.

Talent and Glamour Parties

Hollywood Party

Roll out the red carpet for your teen's birthday. Instruct your guests to come as their favorite Hollywood stars, wearing their glamorous best. Interview guests as they arrive and have the 'paparazzi' snap a keepsake photo. Serve elegant finger foods and tropical fruit juice in fancy stemware.

Talent Show Party

Two of our readers, Michelle and Tammy, suggested hosting a talent show. Tell the guests to think of their best talent and present it to all of the other party participants. Have the birthday boy/girl pick three judges. Have a first, second and third winner's prize. Be sure to have some type of karaoke machine and CD player for those who want to sing and dance. Thanks, girls! This is a great idea! You could also treat it like an "American Idol" show!

Sports Parties

Just add food, decorations, and music, and these sports offer an instant party:

• Laser Tag
• Swimming
• Roller Skating
• Ice Skating
• Miniature Golf
• Bowling
• Paintball

Time Travel Birthday Party Ideas for Teens

Grown-up Party

Most teenagers are eager to grow up. For this party idea, have party goers come dressed as their future selves. Think of it as the 20th high school reunion -- 20 years early.

Decade Party

This idea was suggested by Leah, one of our readers. Try the 50's, 60's, 70's, and 80's themes. Teens love to dress in the past, in the best fashion of every decade.

Teen Birthday Party Ideas Summary

For teen birthday parties, it's all about the entertainment. Talk with your teen and find out what kind of entertainment the two of you want and make that the center of the party. Create an atmosphere of fun and excitement around your chosen theme and the party will be a success.