29 Most Memorable 19th Birthday Ideas in 2024

Coming up with exciting 19th birthday ideas can be tricky, especially when you feel caught between teenage and adult interests. You might be wondering how you can celebrate without staying out too late, or thinking “What is special about the 19th birthday anyway?”

But your 19th birthday is very special! It’s your last birthday as a teenager, and a 19th birthday is also an important occasion to appreciate how far you’ve come and dream about the future.

Whether you’re staying in alone or looking for 19th birthday party ideas with friends, be sure you celebrate your special day with one of these 19th birthday ideas!

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• Creative 19th Birthday Ideas
• Foodie 19th Birthday Ideas
• At-Home 19th Birthday Ideas
• Unique 19th Birthday Ideas
• 19th Birthday Ideas for Girls
• 19th Birthday Ideas for Guys

Creative 19th Birthday Party Ideas

1. Join a Pottery Class

One of the coolest 19th birthday ideas is to make something new with your friends or family. Check out pottery classes in Los Angeles, pottery classes in Houston, pottery classes in Minneapolis or pottery classes near you.

In pottery class, you’ll get to sculpt, shape and glaze your own handmade masterpiece to use at home. 

2. Try a Dance Class

Looking for 19th birthday ideas that will get you out of your shell and help you meet new people? Get your groove on at dance classes in Denver, dance classes in San Francisco or dance classes in Seattle.

Even online dance classes can be a fun way to celebrate with friends and impress the crowd together next time you go out, and make for a cute 19th birthday date idea for couples.

3. Have an At-Home Rave

19th birthday ideas at home don’t have to be boring. Break out the glow sticks, blacklights and electronic beats, there’s a rave going down at your place! If you’re looking for Nasty 19th birthday ideas, encourage guests to dress up in their wildest neon outfits.  

4. Host an ABC Party

For another awesome Nasty 19th birthday idea, insist that your guests arrive at your birthday party in ABC attire — that’s “anything but clothes.” Pinned sheets, towels, trash bags, lampshades, cardboard boxes, duct tape…anything goes but clothes.

An ABC party is one of the classic young adult birthday party ideas that’s sure to leave you laughing for years to come. 

5. Plan a Paint Party

Paint parties make excellent 19th birthday ideas in winter, but they can also work for a sunny day in the fresh air. Purchase some canvases and paints at your local craft store and follow along to a Bob Ross episode or make your own masterpieces.

For more unexpected paint party ideas for adults, you could also try painting ceramics, baskets or T-shirts as take-home party favors.

Foodie 19th Birthday Ideas

6. Take a Cooking Class

Cooking skills are something you’ll need as you transition into adult life, but they can also be fun to learn as a 19th birthday idea! Sign yourself or your group up for cooking classes in Dallas, cooking classes in Orange County or cooking classes in NYC.

If you’re looking to celebrate at home this year, consider online cooking classes to spice up the night!

7. Have a Picnic

If you want to know how to plan a birthday party with ease, simply pack up a blanket, your favorite foods, and some plastic bubbly glasses and head to your local park for a picnic.

Hanging out with friends or family outdoors is a great birthday idea to help you create fun memories together. An adorable picnic is sure to make for excellent 19th birthday photo shoot ideas, too. 

8. Bake and Decorate Cupcakes

Did you know that the tradition of eating birthday cake actually dates back to Roman times? According to Food & Wine, cakes were a treat only given to famous men on their 50th birthdays, and worshippers of the goddess Artemis used to bring her crescent-shaped cakes with candles that would glow like the moon.  

Now one of the tastiest art ideas for teens today, decorating cupcakes can be a fun, silly and delicious experience. Mix several piping bags of frosting with food coloring to create a rainbow of options.

Decorating cupcakes is also a creative spin on most 19th birthday cake ideas because it allows everyone to use the cake and icing flavors they love. 

9. Go Out for Dessert

You may not be old enough to go out for drinks yet, but going out for dessert can be just as fun! A sweet alternative to typical 19th birthday cake ideas, going out for dessert allows you to sample whatever you’re craving, from ice cream to macarons, milkshakes and more.

Plan a “tour de desserts” around the city or order everything you want from the dessert menu at your favorite restaurant. 

10. Host a Classy Dinner Party

If you’re looking for more grown-up 19th birthday ideas, it’s hard to beat a classic dinner party. Plan a four-course menu, set the table and invite your friends to come in their best dining attire. After the meal, you could even surprise your guests with a murder mystery game.

You could also travel to a fun destination for this idea and enjoy an excellent birthday dinner in NYC, Chicago or another foodie locale.

At-Home 19th Birthday Ideas

11. Plan a Virtual Game Night

Virtual game nights are easily one of the best birthday ideas, especially if you decide to stay home. Invite friends over or meet them online for virtual escape rooms, virtual scavenger hunts or online trivia games. Introduce a little friendly competition by offering a prize for the person with the most wins!

12. Try a Virtual Flower Arranging Class

Celebrating your birthday with virtual events can be educational, too. Learn a fun new skill from home with virtual flower arranging classes, and invite friends to build their own birthday bouquets. Or learn to design and assemble your own DIY 19th birthday decorations ideas!

13. Have a Backyard Campout

Staying home with your 19th birthday ideas doesn’t have to mean staying inside. Camp out in the backyard with a bonfire, hot dogs and s’mores and enjoy the night out under the stars. 

Camp out in the backyard with a bonfire and smores. Backyard campouts are one of the best birthday party ideas for teens who are currently living with their parents and craving a little space to hang out with friends. 

14. Enjoy a Spa Night

Both guys and girls deserve a little refreshing self-care – especially as a luxurious 19th birthday idea! By yourself or with friends, enjoy a spa night complete with face masks, hand massages and aromatherapy.

To make the experience even more relaxing, dim the lights and watch a happy nature documentary or listen to soothing sound waves.  

15. Host a Movie Marathon

Are you asking yourself, “what can I do for my 19th birthday party in winter?” Movie marathons are one of the best winter activities for when you just want to stay warm and cozy on your birthday.

Pick your favorite movie or TV series like Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean or Naruto, and invite guests to dress up like their favorite character. 

Unique 19th Birthday Ideas

16. Sign Up for a Glass Blowing Class

If you need 19th birthday ideas in winter, nothing will warm you up faster than a glass blowing class! At a glass blowing class, you’ll get to learn how to fire, spin and shape molten glass into beautiful pieces of artwork.

Next time your friends compliment your flower vase or light fixture, you can say, “thanks, I made it!” 

17. Check Out a Sewing Class

Have you ever had a vision for an awesome outfit, but weren’t sure where to buy the pieces? In sewing classes, you’ll get to learn the basics for making your own unique clothing, home décor, bedding and more.

Whether you sign up alone or with friends, sewing classing are one of the best birthday ideas for people with a creative side! 

18. Try a Woodworking Class

Woodworking class may seem like an unconventional 19th birthday idea, but there’s no time like the present to sharpen your skills – and have fun doing it.

In woodworking classes, you’ll get to cut, carve and polish unique wood décor and useful items. Plus, you’ll get to impress your future roommates with your ability to wield power tools. 

19. Go Out for Karaoke

When you’re trying to come up with Nasty 19th birthday ideas in college, it can be hard to think of alcohol-free options. That’s why a karaoke night is the perfect solution for teens craving a little nightlife!

Dress up with your friends and head to your nearest karaoke spot to flaunt your singing skills and enjoy the city lights at night. 

20. Go Rollerskating

There’s a good reason why rollerskating has been one of the best 19th birthday ideas for decades. Disco lights, dance-worthy music and a bottomless soda fountain await you and your friends at the local roller rink. To take the party up a notch, wear your best 80s-inspired exercise gear. 

21. Have a Pool Party

You don’t have to own a pool to have a pool party; grab a towel and visit your community pool or head to the nearest beach or river.

Even a few close friends and a blow-up kiddie pool can be tons of fun! This is one of the 19th birthday ideas that is sure to give you plenty of Instagram-worthy moments. 

19th Birthday Ideas for Girls

22. Have a Mini Makeover Night

If you and your friends like getting dressed up, have a mini makeover, you’re sure to love this 19th birthday party idea for girls.

Start out with some skincare and face masks, then style each other’s makeup and outfits before you go out for dessert to flaunt your new look. This is one of the girls night ideas that can be as glam or silly as you’d like!  

23. Have a Photo Shoot

A photo shoot is one of the coolest 19th birthday party ideas for girls who love to keep their social media pages active. 19th birthday photo shoot ideas should be fun and creative, so make a cute backdrop in your house or walk around your neighborhood to find inspiring scenery.

Once you’ve captured your photos, print them out and frame them or turn them into a vision board for the next year. 

24. Book a Weekend Vacation

Ready to kick off your last year as a teen with a bang? Plan relaxing girls weekend ideas for you and your besties, whether that’s a road trip to the beach or just one night at a nice hotel downtown.

It’s nice to celebrate a new year with a change of scenery, and you can combine this idea with any of the other 19th birthday ideas for girls! 

25. Go on a Shopping Spree

If you’re thinking, “what should I do for my 19th birthday with no friends?” you can always treat yourself to a shopping spree!

Plan a flexible budget and search for places to get free birthday goodies, like a free birthday drink at Starbucks. Hit the thrift store or the mall and shop for some clothes that will carry you into your 20s in style. 

19th Birthday Ideas for Guys

26. Host a Video Game Tournament

Nothing brings friends together like a little competition. Choose your favorite multiplayer game like Super Smash Bros. or Mario Kart, then challenge your friends to a tournament. To make things more interesting, come up with a cool prize for the winner or a crazy dare for the loser.  

27. Play Laser Tag

You’re never too old for laser tag, and the laser arcade makes for an unforgettable 19th birthday party idea for guys. Split into teams or go solo, then have fun blasting away until one man is left standing. Just be sure to take a break so you can chow down on arcade pizza and check out some of the retro games. 

28. Attend a Sporting Event

For guys who need 19th birthday ideas, college games are an easy layup. Game tickets are one of the most popular graduation gift ideas, but save them until your birthday if you can!

If you aren’t planning to attend a college near you, you can still cheer on the team at your high school or even the little league baseball team in your neighborhood. 

29. Have a Backyard Barbecue

Backyard barbecues are classic 19th birthday ideas for guys and gals alike, but there’s something about grilling with your boys that makes the best memories.

Break out the grill and cook burgers, steaks, hotdogs or anything else that sounds delicious. End the night with a bonfire for the perfect start to your 19th year. 

At 19, you may feel caught between worlds, but it’s important to honor and celebrate your last year as a teenager. After 19, the years start to fly by before you know it.

We hope these 19th birthday ideas will bring you fun memories with friends, help you get to know yourself and give you a wonderful start to your 19th year! 

For even more fun birthday ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!