29 Best 20th Birthday Ideas for 2024

A landmark birthday is often celebrated with a bit more fanfare than all the others, but if you’re looking for 20th birthday ideas you may be wondering, is 20 a milestone birthday? The answer is yes!

Although figuring out how to plan a birthday party may seem daunting at first, with so many unique things to do on your birthday you’re sure to plan the perfect party for you or someone you love.

Let this list of 20th birthday ideas be your holy party grail to ensure that your get-together is as fun and exciting as the person you’re celebrating.

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• Foodie 20th Birthday Ideas
• Creative 20th Birthday Ideas
• Unique 20th Birthday ideas
• At-Home 20th Birthday Ideas
• 20th Birthday Ideas for Her
• 20th Birthday Ideas for Him

Foodie 20th Birthday Ideas

1. Cooking Classes

As the industry of cooking classes and online cooking classes continue to grow, it’s never been easier to learn how to make something new. If you’re looking for foodie 20th birthday ideas, consider a cooking class.

Top-rated chefs will guide you on a culinary journey as you use farm-fresh ingredients to create five-star meals. It’s as easy as checking out cooking classes in Fort Lauderdale, cooking classes in Austin cooking classes in Salt Lake City or cooking classes near you.

2. A Recipe Jar

We all gather around the table to eat, so why not make every birthday an exploration of the culinary world?

Grab a jar and write down a list of recipes you’ve been dying to try whether it’s a Pakistani breakfast dish like Nihari or a traditional South African dish like Bobotie. Seal up the jar and break it back out every year!

3. Dinner in The Big City

Take a trip to the big city for a skyscraping 20th birthday idea. If you don’t live in a city, then you know the wonder of dedicating a day to traveling outside of the suburbs and into the hustle and bustle of the concrete streets.

Besides, there’s nothing quite like a birthday dinner in NYC, Los Angeles, Philadelphia or Houston to make that someone special feel glamorous on their big day.

4. Tea Party

Whether you’re doing tea for two or tea for many a tea party is an excellent way to celebrate the birthday haver in elegance. Gather around a table full of delicate sandwiches, pastries and friends.

Throw on a pot of tea and relax in great company. You can even take this 20th birthday idea out on the town by researching tea houses near you.

5. Picnic

This 20th birthday idea is as easy as breaking out a blanket and gathering some delicious snacks. Venture to a peaceful park and lay out on the grass or a serene creek and relax beside the babbling water.

Whether you’re looking for things to do for your 20th birthday in summer, fall or spring, you’ll never be left disappointed after taking a picnic.

Creative 20th Birthday Ideas

6. Art Classes

If your person of honor is a creative type, let their imagination run wild with this 20th birthday idea. Talented local artists will help you boost your parties’ creative skills.

The creative world is full of new hobbies to learn like painting, drawing and sculpting. Look into art classes in San Diego, art classes in Boston, art classes in Houston or art classes near you.

7. Pottery Classes

Throwing together a last-minute 20th birthday idea is as easy as signing up for pottery classes in the Bay Area, pottery classes in Chicago, pottery classes in Portland or pottery classes near you.

Masterful potters provide all the tools necessary to create beautiful ceramics all you have to do is show up. As far as birthday date ideas go, there’s nothing more romantic than throwing clay… have you seen the movie Ghost?

8. Golden Birthday

If the person you are celebrating is turning 20 on the 20th day of the month, you’re in search of golden birthday ideas! This is the perfect opportunity to delve into 20th birthday dress-up themes, and who doesn’t love to be surrounded by the color gold?

Consider going back in time with a roaring twenties-themed party, an 80’s Hollywood party or even a Roman goddess themed party.

9. Shopping Spree

You may be wondering; how do you celebrate your birthday in style? The answer is by exploring your personal style! Go on a shopping spree to your favorite thrift, boutique or mall and try on some new outfits together. You’ll go home with a whole new wardrobe after this 20th birthday idea.

10. Face Paint Party

This 20th birthday idea will have you feeling like a kid again. Gather your friends, some paint brushes, non-toxic face paint and some stencils (or let your creative whim be your guide) for a night of artistic expression.

Take turns painting each other’s faces and make sure to take pictures of the final products!

11. Pet Portrait

Sometimes the best gift you can give is something handmade and if your 20th birthday honoree has a furry friend, this 20th birthday gift idea is sure to tug at their heartstrings. Find their favorite photo of their pet and paint your own recreation.

Unique 20th Birthday ideas

12. Dance Classes

Try out an active and energizing birthday activity and sign up for a dance class. Groove into a new year and learn new moves with the guidance of world-class dance instructors. There are dance classes in Seattle, dance classes in Colorado Springs and dance classes in Orlando.

If you don’t see your area in this list, don’t fret! Simply check out dance classes near you. You can even flow from the comfort of your own home with online dance classes. 

13. Golden Hour Photo Shoot

You don’t have to travel far to pull off a memorable 20th birthday trip idea. Universally, watching the sunset is not only a beautiful sight, but a wonderful way to reflect on the previous year. Photos at sunset? Now that’s a 20th birthday photo shoot idea worthy of a frame.

14. Unique Experiences on Air BnB

Tired of spending the night in hotel rooms that all look the same or a campsite you’ve set up tent at for what feels like a thousand times? The “Omg!” page on Air BnB provides 20th birthday trip ideas that are out of this world.

These are perfect for a romantic weekend away or an adventurous girls weekend idea.

15. Backyard Summer Bash

Adult birthday party ideas can still make you feel like a kid again. Fill a bucket with water balloons, get a slip and slide, break out the pool accessories and get the band back together for this 20th birthday party idea with friends.

There’s nothing like reminiscing over the grill at an old fashion cookout for the perfect thing to do for your 20th birthday in the summer. Make sure to remember the quintessential must-have birthday item, a 20th birthday cake!

16. Make an Eco Jar

Become one with nature by taking a visit to your favorite stream, creek or pond — all you need is a jar! An ecosystem jar allows you to create mini ecosystems using only natural elements like stones, soil, moss and water!

To make one, just place small rocks at the bottom of a glass jar and cover them with a thin layer of soil. Next, add a bit of moss or algae (you can also add small plants from around the water’s edge).

Finally, fill the jar with water from the pond, stream or creek and seal it up. Soon enough, a micro-ecosystem of living organisms will have created a beautiful little world for themselves as eco jars are meant to last years without being opened.

At-Home 20th Birthday Ideas

17. Flower Arranging

There’s no better way to show your partner how much you care than by gifting them a romantic bouquet of flowers… well, not necessarily. Try making one together. Get comfy and sign up for virtual flower arranging classes for a sensual but laid-back 20th birthday idea at home.

18. Game Night

Perfect 20th birthday ideas with friends can be hard to plan. Worrying about if everyone will have a good time can add a lot of stress to your big day. But you know what you can’t go wrong with? Games night!

Sign up for virtual game nights or battle it out playing online trivia games for a festive affair the whole group will love.

19. Solve Clues

The homebodies need to check out this virtual party idea. If you’d rather have an in-house gathering than an out-on-the-town adventure, party it up from the comfort of your own home and plan a night of online mystery and clue-solving. Or race against time and try out a virtual scavenger hunt or a virtual escape room.

20. Make a Blanket and Get Cozy

If all you want for your 20th birthday is to cuddle up with your partner (or pet!), consider adding an element of craftiness to your staycation idea and make a fleece blanket to snuggle up in later.

Take a brief trip over to your local fabric store. You’ll need 1 ½-2 yards of fabric but divvy that up into two patterns. Lay the two patterns of fleece flat on top of each other. Cut out five-inch strips along each edge of the fabric.

Simply tie each strip together and voila! You have yourself a comfy fleece blanket. All that’s left to do is make the popcorn, pick a movie, and cuddle up with your sweet.

21. At-Home DIY

Break out the tool belt for this 20th birthday idea at home. Be an interior decorator for a day and reupholster the couch, make a new shelf for your trinkets and keep it simple and paint a vase!

Better yet, get crafty for someone else! A handmade piece of furniture or wall hangs make wonderful 20th birthday gift ideas.

20th Birthday Ideas for Her

22. A Group Photo Shoot

There are tons of 20th birthday photo shoot ideas to make the lasting memories really last. Choose from a list of theme party ideas: under the sea, midnight in Paris, prom or disco. Invite all her loved ones for a fun-filled 20th birthday idea with friends and family.

23. A Trip to the Spa

Try a 20th birthday idea for her that will help her relax, unwind and reconnect with herself. Send her to the spa for a facial, massage, a dip in a mud bath or a mani-pedi. Maybe send her to the spa for all! She deserves it.

24. Hit the Rink

Did you know that ice skating works almost every muscle in your body? This makes it a great 20th birthday idea for the fitness fanatics out there.

25. Karaoke

If you’re looking for 20th birthday ideas for her and you’ve heard her sing in the shower once, twice, twenty times, she’d probably love a karaoke-filled night! Sing her favorite songs and dance the night away.

20th Birthday Ideas for Him

26. A Surprise Party

This 20th birthday idea for him will have him shocked! Shower him with love and adoration by pulling off a surprise party. And if you’re looking for 20th birthday dress-up themes this is the perfect opportunity to have some fun with it. Surprise him with his very own costume to match the theme.

27. Make a Cake Together

Sometimes birthdays come and go, we’re all busy. But it’s easy to fit in a last-minute 20th birthday idea by simply baking a cake! And besides, you can’t let the day pass by without enjoying at least one slice of 20th birthday cake.

Bake his favorite cake for him or do it together and enjoy the sweet fruits of your labor of love.

28. Charcuterie Board From Around the World

Spice up a charcuterie board and get a taste of the flavors of the world. Thanks to the wonderful world of the web, getting snacks from all over the world is simple. Try candies from Japan, crackers from Spain or fruits from South America!

29. Get Outdoors

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nature supports wellness in the body, mind and community, which is all the more reason to go camping. Bring a few of his closest friends and gather around a campfire to roast some s'mores.

If you’re typically a guest and not a host, you’re probably asking yourself, what are good ideas for a birthday? Or if you’re throwing someone you hold dear a birthday party, you’re probably asking, how do you throw a birthday party in your 20s?

Fortunately, throwing a party or giving a memorable gift is easy as long as you put a bit of thought into it. We hope you've found inspiration for a thoughtful 20th birthday idea this year!

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