Celebrations

37 Perfect Teen Birthday Party Ideas for 2024

by: Abigail Ford

Published on Nov 6th 2024

Use these teen birthday party ideas to host an age-appropriate, fun event. These birthday party activities need to be a little more refined than your standard kids' birthday party. Think about your teen's favorite activities and what they like to do with friends.

Before you start picking out birthday party ideas, set your budget. According to USA Today, “Parents spend, on average, $314 on a child's birthday party.” But this number is expected to go up as kids get older.

A scary movie night party idea is cheaper to host than an ice skating party. Pick a party idea that your teen and your wallet will adore. Consider cost-saving tips like sourcing free birthday food and using electronic invitations, as well.

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Unique Teen Birthday Party Ideas

1. Art Class Party

Art class teen birthday party idea — *Classes provide all the materials you need (via Canva)*

For a creative twist, arrange a party at art classes near you or through online art classes. These classes provide all the materials you need and let everyone follow along to create their own masterpiece. You can also find art classes in Atlanta, art classes in Los Angeles, art classes in Seattle and more!

Set up a “gallery wall” at the end where everyone can display their work and take photos with their finished pieces.

2. Glow-in-the-Dark Dance Party

Turn your space into a neon dance party by decorating with black lights, glow sticks and fluorescent paint. Give guests glow-in-the-dark accessories and play a dance-worthy playlist. Offer glow paint pens so guests can create glowing designs on their clothes.

3. Haunted Escape Room Challenge

Transform your home or a rented space into a haunted escape room with puzzles, hidden clues and spooky effects. Set the tone with eerie lighting, creepy sound effects and a storyline that leads guests through various challenges to “escape” the haunted house.

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4. Backyard Obstacle Course Party

Create a backyard obstacle course with fun challenges like rope swings, climbing walls and balance beams. Time each participant and award small prizes for categories like “fastest time” or “most determined.” For a water-themed twist, add slip-and-slide sections or sprinklers.

Tip: Keep water and snacks available for a refreshing break between rounds.

5. Outdoor Paintball Adventure

Paintball Birthday Party — *Paintball birthday party (via Canva)*

For thrill-seekers, book an outdoor paintball course where guests can split into teams and strategize for a friendly match. Arrange a mini awards ceremony afterward with categories like “best strategy” or “bravest player.”

6. Movie Night Under the Stars

Set up an outdoor movie screen in the backyard, complete with blankets, pillows and a concession stand with popcorn, candy and soda. String lights create a magical atmosphere and themed snacks make it special.

7. Music Studio Jam Session

If they’re into music, rent a small studio or set up an at-home jam session with instruments like guitars, keyboards and drums. Let guests create their own songs, or hire a music instructor to guide them in a collaborative performance.

Teenage Party Ideas at Home

8. Scary Movie Night

This is one of the best indoor birthday party ideas. Set up a cozy home theater with blankets, pillows and dimmed lighting. Pick a lineup of spooky movies based on guests’ preferences, from mild thrillers to jump-scare classics. Provide popcorn and candy for a cinema feel.

9. Bonfire “Camp Out”

Bonfire Teen Birthday Party Idea — *Plan simple camping snacks like hot dogs and chips (via Canva)*

This teen birthday party idea brings everyone outdoors for a cozy, camp-style gathering. Set up around a fire pit with lawn chairs, cozy blankets and fairy lights for ambiance. Have marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers ready for s’mores-making and plan simple camping snacks like hot dogs and chips.

10. Capture The Flag

Organize an outdoor capture-the-flag adventure for a high-energy teen birthday party idea! Divide players into two teams and set boundaries with marked zones in a spacious area like a park or backyard. Use colorful bandanas or LED lights for evening games and pick two distinct “flags” (like team-colored towels).

11. Fancy Picnic Party

This charming teen birthday party idea brings a touch of elegance to a picnic setting. Choose a scenic location with lush greenery or water views. Set up low tables or blankets adorned with fresh flowers, cute pillows and fancy tableware. Arrange an assortment of finger foods, fresh fruit and pastries on tiered trays for a picture-perfect spread.

12. Karaoke Night

Karaoke night at home is an idea your music-loving teen will adore. Prepare a playlist of popular songs and create a stage with a mic, speakers and bright lights. Set the scene with disco balls, colored lights and maybe some props for added fun.

Offer snacks and encourage everyone to cheer each other on for a night filled with laughs.

13. Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunt teen birthday party idea — *A scavenger hunt map (via Canva)*

Host an engaging scavenger hunt as a thrilling teen birthday party idea. Plan creative clues leading to different hidden items around the house, backyard or local park. Split guests into teams and set up a mix of easy and challenging tasks for everyone to solve together.

Provide small prizes for each discovery and offer a bigger prize for the winning team. Having a list of “photo clues” encourages teamwork and adds a memorable twist!

14. Outdoor Movie Screening

Take movie night outside with this fun teen birthday party idea. Set up a projector and screen in the backyard, with plenty of blankets and lawn chairs for guests to relax. Have a concession stand with popcorn, candy and cozy drinks like hot cocoa.

Choose a crowd-pleaser film, or plan a double-feature for extra fun. Add fairy lights for ambiance and provide bug spray to keep everyone comfortable during the night.

15. DIY Art & Craft Night

Bring out everyone’s creative side with this teen birthday party idea! Set up a crafting station with supplies like paints, canvases, markers and beads for a DIY art night. Add inspiration ideas or sample crafts for guidance, plus fun background music.

Beaded Bracelets: Set up a jewelry-making station with beads, charms and elastic string for guests to design their own bracelets. They can make friendship bracelets or customize pieces with their initials, a perfect gift for themselves or friends.
Tie-Dye Tote Bags: Offer plain cotton tote bags, fabric dye and rubber bands for a trendy tie-dye activity. Teach simple patterns, like spirals or stripes and let them create colorful bags they can use every day.
DIY Photo Frames: Provide wooden frames, paint, markers and stickers so guests can decorate frames to suit their personalities. Add small Polaroid prints from the party to create a memorable memento.
Mini Succulent Pots: Give each guest a small pot, paint and a mini succulent. Let them decorate the pot and then plant their succulent for an adorable, living keepsake.

Tip: Choose crafts that are easy to complete within an hour. Provide aprons to keep outfits clean and snacks to keep energy up. Guests get to take home their creations as special keepsakes.

Birthday Party Ideas for Teen Girls

16. Barbie Beach Party

Bring the beach vibes indoors or outside with a Barbie beach party theme. Use pink and tropical decorations, beach balls and flower leis. Arrange a snack table with “beach bites” like fruit skewers and pink lemonade. Playing the Barbie movie (or the old classics) in the background makes for a perfect birthday idea for a teenage girl.

17. Sports Party

Teens playing basketball — *Decorate with team colors or jerseys for added flair (via Canva)*

Perfect for athletic teens, this sports-centered birthday party idea features a mini tournament. Arrange activities like basketball, soccer or relay races at a local field or park. Set up scoreboards and have small trophies or medals for the winners.

Decorate with team colors or jerseys for added flair and encourage everyone to come in comfortable sports attire to stay active.

18. Gaming Tournament

Transform a space into a gaming arena for this tech-themed teen birthday party idea. Set up a mix of consoles and gaming stations, with a tournament bracket for some competitive fun. Offer comfy seating, controllers and a snack bar for the ultimate experience.

19. DIY Craft-Making Party

Encourage creativity with this teen birthday party idea focused on crafts. Set up stations with options like friendship bracelets, tie-dye or painted rocks. Arrange supplies in cute bins and lay out examples for inspiration.

Add music and light snacks to keep everyone engaged. Ensure everyone can take home their creations as a party souvenir. Having a photo station to capture everyone's masterpieces is also a great way to remember the creative day!

20. Geocaching Party

This outdoor adventure teen birthday party idea will have guests using GPS to find hidden treasures. Before the party, hide small “caches” with fun prizes around a park or neighborhood. Hand out maps or phone instructions for navigating.

Create themed teams with unique names and provide small bags for each team to collect their findings. Offer refreshments and a picnic setup for a celebratory gathering after the treasure hunt is complete.

21. High Tea

Tea Party Teen Birthday Party Idea — *Provide real tea cups and arrange flowers on the table for ambiance (via Canva)*

What can you do at a 15th birthday party at home? Sure you can with a high tea party. This event offers an elegant twist to traditional teen birthday party ideas. Set up a table with tiered trays, mini sandwiches and a variety of teas in a lovely garden or decorated room. Encourage a “fancy” dress code for added charm.

Provide real tea cups and arrange flowers on the table for ambiance. Add games like “tea trivia” or charades for fun in-between bites, creating a charmingly sophisticated gathering.

22. Taylor Swift Watch Party

What to do for a 12-year-old girl's birthday? Host a Taylor Swift watch party with her music videos and concert on repeat. Decorate with Taylor-inspired banners, balloons and snack tables with Swift-themed treats. Encourage guests to dress up in their favorite “eras” looks.

Set up a friendship bracelet-making station to create bracelets like Taylor’s fans and sing along to her most popular songs to complete the Swiftie experience!

23. Sleepover Party

Looking for classic 13th birthday party ideas? A sleepover is perfect. Include games, movies and midnight snacks and set up sleeping bags and blankets for a cozy atmosphere. Add activities like board games, face masks and karaoke for hours of entertainment.

Create a snack bar with popcorn, chips and sweet treats for guests to graze on. Plan a fun breakfast like waffles or pancakes in the morning as a tasty finale for the overnight celebration.

Birthday Party Ideas for Teen Boys

24. Bubble Soccer

This is the ideal teenage party entertainment idea. Bubble soccer is when kids get into giant blog up soccer balls and go ham. Book a location that offers inflatable bubble suits and split guests into teams for an action-packed game.

The bubbles protect players as they bump and roll on the field. Offer refreshing drinks and snacks nearby for quick breaks. Capture plenty of photos of the players in their bubble gear—it’s sure to create tons of laughs and memories!

25. Bowling Birthday Party

Teens Bowling Birthday Party — *Reserve lanes in advance at a local bowling alley (via Canva)*

This classic teen birthday party idea brings the fun of bowling to center stage. Reserve lanes in advance at a local bowling alley and decorate with custom scorecards or a special birthday lane sign. Offer small prizes for strikes or high scores.

Bring themed shirts or wristbands for everyone to feel like a team. Preorder snacks or pizza, so everyone can focus on the game without interruptions.

26. Nerf Battle

This teen birthday party idea adds an adventure twist with Nerf battles. It’s the perfect 17th birthday idea, allowing your kid to live out some childish fun. Set up teams and create a “battlefield” with simple obstacles for cover. Offer safety gear like goggles and plan a few rounds of games. Have snacks and water nearby to keep players energized.

27. Polaroid Photo Booth Party

For a memorable teen birthday party idea, set up a Polaroid photo booth with props, lights and a cute backdrop. Arrange a table with props like funny hats, glasses and frames. Hand each guest a Polaroid for instant photos to take home.

28. Movie Theater Party

A movie theater outing makes for a relaxed yet exciting teen birthday party idea. Reserve a block of seats in advance, choosing a movie everyone will enjoy. Stock up on popcorn, candy and drinks to create a classic cinema experience.

Action or Superhero Double Feature: Book a double feature of popular action or superhero films and provide themed snacks like "hero popcorn" or "villain candy bags." Add superhero masks or capes for fun.
“Game On” Pre-Movie Session: Ask about setting up a console gaming area before the movie, with popular games like FIFA or Fortnite. Offer small prizes for top scores to build excitement.
Movie Character Look-Alike Contest: Have guests dress as their favorite movie characters, awarding prizes for “Best Dressed” or “Most Creative Character.” A mini red carpet for photos adds fun flair.
Mystery Movie Night: Keep the movie a surprise and offer small mystery-themed favors. Have each guest guess the title based on clues for extra excitement.
Post-Movie Trivia Game: Hold a trivia game right after the film to test everyone’s memory of the plot. Award small prizes like “movie buff” badges to keep the fun going.

Ask the theater about hosting a small celebration area if allowed, where you can hand out themed treats or party favors. Encourage everyone to dress as their favorite movie character for added fun.

29. Outdoor Athletics Challenge

Outdoor athletics challenge teen birthday party idea — *This party is perfect for active teens who love outdoor fun (via Canva)*

This teen birthday party idea combines competition and fun with an outdoor sports challenge. Set up stations with activities like relay races, obstacle courses or mini soccer matches. Use team-colored armbands or hats for easy identification and award small prizes for each activity.

Keep water and party food accessible to keep everyone hydrated and energized. Incorporate a scoreboard to track scores and add friendly competition. This party is perfect for active teens who love outdoor fun.

30. Virtual Reality

Looking for teen birthday party places? A VR arcade is a great place. They set up a gaming area with room for people to move and your kiddo can take turns with friends exploring virtual worlds.

31. Concert Party

Celebrate with live music by attending a concert or hosting a music-themed teen birthday party idea at home. If attending, choose a concert everyone can enjoy. For a home option, create a concert setup with speakers and a playlist of favorite artists.

Birthday Party Ideas for 13-Year-Olds

32. Aquarium Day Party

An aquarium visit makes for a captivating teen birthday party idea filled with undersea exploration. Arrange for a group visit to a nearby aquarium, including guided tours if available. Plan a scavenger hunt with questions about different exhibits to engage guests as they explore.

33. Ice Skating Party

This cool teen birthday party idea brings everyone together for a fun day on the ice! Book a local ice-skating rink with a few hours reserved for your group and provide rental skates for guests who need them. Plan a snack break with hot cocoa, cookies or finger foods in the lounge area for everyone to recharge. Create a festive playlist to set a lively atmosphere and keep the party vibe high.

34. Laser Tag

Laser tag is an exciting teen birthday party idea for competitive and adventurous teens. Reserve time at a laser tag venue, dividing everyone into teams for a round of energetic matches. Offer small prizes for top players and keep water bottles on hand to stay hydrated.

35. Theme Park Party

For thrill-seekers, a day at the theme park is the ultimate teen birthday party idea. Arrange for tickets and plan a schedule that includes everyone’s favorite rides and attractions. Set a meetup point for breaks and snacks and consider an all-day pass for food or drinks. Remember to provide small bags or wristbands for essentials. Plan ride photos as keepsakes and let everyone enjoy the rides and park treats for a day full of laughs and fun.

36. Escape Room Adventure

Challenge everyone’s puzzle-solving skills with an escape room adventure—a thrilling teen birthday party idea. Book a themed room based on the group’s interests and split into teams if needed. After the adventure, gather for snacks and share experiences.

Have a “debrief” area where everyone can discuss their strategies and moments of triumph. Providing a mini prize for the first group to escape adds an extra layer of competition to this fun activity.

37. Cooking or Baking Party

Set up a cooking and baking session with stations for easy, kid-friendly recipes like pizzas, cupcakes and pasta dishes. Provide all the ingredients at each station, along with aprons, recipe cards and easy-to-follow instructions. Play fun, upbeat music to set the mood and encourage creativity by allowing guests to personalize their dishes. Once the dishes are ready, gather at a “presentation station” to showcase everyone’s creations, take photos and enjoy the delicious results together.

Were you wondering what are good birthday ideas for 13-year-olds or how do 14-year-olds celebrate their birthday? Now you know! Use one of our amazing teen birthday party ideas to throw a birthday bash your teen will love.

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