How to Celebrate a Teenager's Birthday

Stephanie has four teenagers and has hosted many teenager birthday parties!

Be Flexible and Fun

If the teenager in your life is anything like mine, you won't get a straight answer to the question, "How do you want to celebrate your birthday?"

Teens are often concerned about appearances, and the last thing they want is an event drawing a lot of attention to them. At the same time, most do desire (even if secretly) that their special day is acknowledged.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to plan a birthday celebration that will not subject your teenager to embarrassment... if that is possible (it is). Keep in mind that a teen's interests can change as quickly as a mercurial mood. So, factor in some flexibility, and definitely do not forget your sense of humor when it comes to planning a party!

Here's what you can expect to learn about in this article:

• Initial considerations to make when planning
• Birthday party ideas
• Things not to do at your teen's birthday party
• A reminder to keep it age appropriate
• Thinking beyond the party
• A reminder to have your teen help and prepare for the birthday

Read on to learn more!

Initial Considerations

When planning a teen birthday celebration, remember these key initial considerations:

• Individual preferences. First, don't forget to consider their individual preferences, their personality, and their interests. Some kids are very social and outgoing, while others are not. In fact, your child may even prefer to keep the birthday celebration very low key. For example, when my oldest turned 14, he asked that the "extra money" we would have spent on a party be put into an electronic device he wanted as a gift. Instead of inviting friends to celebrate his birthday, he requested that we go out to dinner as a family and have his favorite dessert at home.
• Give yourself time. On the other hand, if a birthday bash is what your teen wants, try to give yourself at least a month ahead of time to determine the number of guests, book the location (if necessary), plan, purchase, and prepare food for the party, and get the invitations out. Special birthdays that may require additional time and planning include turning sweet 16, when your child reaches 18, and any surprise birthday parties.

Teen Party Ideas

If your teen wishes to have a birthday party, there are many safe activities for a group of kids that can be enjoyed. The suggestions below vary with respect to the related expenses associated with each. More expensive outings may require that the party is limited to one or two close friends or reserved for celebrating one of the "bigger" milestones.

Though they might not admit it if asked, I believe my 14- and 12-year-old boys would enjoy any of the following:

• Going to the movies
• Playing video games
• Going to a bowling alley
• Playing games at an arcade
• Any outdoor and/or organized activities (paintball, hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, swimming)
• Going to the beach
• Experience parties: art or photography, rock climbing, sports camps, etc.
• Attending a concert
• Going to a water park
• Roller skating or ice skating
• Going to a fair or amusement park

Other suggestions may include:

• Going to a nail salon or spa
• Visiting a museum or landmark
• A group shopping excursion
• Getting the teen's hair done
• Attending a cooking demonstration or class
• Reserving a reception room for dinner and dancing! Bonus tip: Invite attendees to dress up.
• Hosting a costume party based on a theme

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What NOT to Do for a Teen's Birthday

• Do not provide alcohol or other drugs to underage persons under any circumstances.
• Do not turn a blind eye to activities that may take place with your tacit consent, particularly in unsupervised settings (i.e., drinking, drug use, sex, and malicious mischief such as throwing eggs, toilet papering, graffiti, etc.).
• Do not forget to go over safety rules prior to a birthday celebration, including no texting while driving, the perils of drug use, unprotected sex, etc., to minimize or prevent engaging in risky behaviors.
• Do not fail to consider the circumstances of any unsupervised location for a birthday party celebration, the number of hours they will be alone, and whether they have access to a vehicle.

Last but not least: Do not forget to show your teen that you love them, and hope for many additional birthdays for them in the future.

Age-Appropriate Activities

As a parent of young teens, I can attest to the fact that it can be difficult to find age-appropriate activities for birthday celebrations that your child will enjoy.

Often, the teen years are characterized by a pendulum widely swinging between childhood and adulthood. One minute, your child knows everything and is entirely independent. Then, the next minute, they ask you to drive them to a friend's house.

Although your teenager may look like an adult, there are many grown-up activities that are simply not age appropriate for them. Whether you expressly allow illegal activities to take place at your home or pretend not to know what is going on at unsupervised locations, you may be legally responsible for anything that occurs at or after the party—including drinking and driving.

Be the adult. Do not allow or condone activities that put your teen and their friends, not to mention the general public, at risk. With so many birthday party ideas to choose from, your child can still have a safe, memorable, and fun celebration.

Thinking Beyond Teen Birthday Party

There's more than one way to celebrate a birthday. It doesn't necessarily have to be with a party, either. For example, consider trips.

One of my close friends started a tradition of taking each one of her children on a special weekend trip when they turned 13. These trips were not extravagant—a couple of days on the Oregon Coast, or a weekend in Seattle, for example. What matters more than the location is the one-on-one time with your teenager, particularly if you have additional children. Even if you don't go out of town, a movie date, a dinner out, or a trip to the salon together may allow some unique bonding time.

Teen birthday parties can quickly become very expensive, particularly if you are planning a celebration that requires admission. I've witnessed a group of teenage girls in our neighborhood being picked up by a limo to go to the ice skating rink and then out to dinner to celebrate their birthdays!

Don't Forget: Have Your Teen Help Plan and Prepare for the Party

Why not involve your teenager in the planning of their birthday party? This goes beyond just choosing the location or activity. Don't forget that it also includes working to prepare a budget and shopping for items like invitations, decorations, and food.

Working together, you might find it easier to compromise on certain elements to save money, and your teen may be less likely to criticize the party if they had a large hand in its preparation. Note, however, that I said "may"... there is certainly no guarantee with this age.

Regardless of how smoothly the party planning goes or whether the event itself is deemed to be a hit by your youngster, try to keep your sense of humor and a light attitude intact. If that doesn't help, just remember that each birthday is another step toward adulthood and (hopefully) their independence!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2012 Stephanie Marshall

Comments

KAASHVI on May 19, 2020:

I made my parents give a smile on 10 of june

mariam on April 29, 2020:

my birthday is nov 5th too! :)

Adisyn on February 09, 2020:

My birthday is March 19 2007

fay on November 30, 2019:

My bdays on tuesday!

Abbey on October 19, 2019:

My birthday is November te 5th

Savannah on October 08, 2019:

Thank you

jjjjj on October 07, 2019:

this is hard to chose

idk on July 15, 2018:

boring

Kari on June 25, 2018:

Thanks so much! I was so suprised when my son explained he would rather celebrate with his family and have a special night out. I am glad I read these. Thanks,

Elexa on May 27, 2018:

@claire you should do ice skating or roller skating i say ice skating is better becauseit is December and if it’s just you and friends y’all can skate and have a great time

Claire on December 03, 2017:

I'm turning sixteen and don't really want to have a big blowout bash... but I have no other ideas. I also don't just want to have my friends over to my house and hang out, because that way it really doesn't feel like a party. My mom says I can have it if I plan it, but that's the hardest part. I have no idea what to do and end of December is a rough time to try and have a party.

i'm a boy on September 25, 2017:

i still don't know what to do for my birthday

B on August 31, 2017:

I'm a teen and every time my mother asks me what I want to do for my birthday I really never know but I now have the ideas of shopping getting my hair done and got to get my nails done thanks for the amazing advice

B.B. on July 23, 2017:

My son just said all of these ideas are bad

... on April 22, 2017:

@aightmynamedon'tmatter as a teenager too I read through this looking for inspiration and found it really helpful, the stuff about safety is fair enough. U can't learn from ur mistakes if ur dead from drugs or alcohol poisoning.

Aight my name don't matter on April 09, 2017:

Aight so I as a teen think this is bull, the last thing we want is our parents to be on our back about safety precautions on OUR birthday. Let us have fun cuz it's better to let us learn from our mistakes from our "fun" rather than some old geezer telling us how to live our lives

Brandon Hart from The Game on February 02, 2015:

I think it really depends on the teen's interests and hobbies.

Tammy on November 24, 2014:

i have an idea. you could take your kids to fUN ZONE. it's a trampoline place.

Stephanie Marshall (author) from Bend, Oregon on March 12, 2012:

Thanks Simone - me too! Especially when my teen shares the same interests as me :-)

Simone Haruko Smith from San Francisco on March 12, 2012:

Fabulous ideas! I'm glad you mentioned experience parties- those are my favorite!

Stephanie Marshall (author) from Bend, Oregon on March 11, 2012:

Thanks incomeguru - nice that your teens enjoy dressing up for their birthdays. Best, Steph

Oyewole Folarin from Lagos on March 11, 2012:

Great advice, it's awesome stopping by reading this stuff. My teens do prefer celebrating their birthday with class mates. And wearing nice clothing to match.

Stephanie Marshall (author) from Bend, Oregon on March 10, 2012:

Thanks everyone! Jimmy, I hope this kind of helps your daughter with her upcoming birthday. My teens are the same - shrug of the shoulder and apparently not caring (though they do!)

@Poowool - I do miss the days of cute birthday party celebrations. I have a hilarious photo of my oldest two boys dressed as Power Rangers (one red, one blue). They would die a thousand deaths if I published it!

@thefrogprince - well... 61... not sure if I can help you there! LOL!

@Kelley, it does go by so fast. When we moved to our home, my oldest was 8. He's now 14, and I swear only 2-3 years have passed...!!

@Laura - definitely! Count on it! Blink and they are teenagers :)

Geraldnduru from Kenya on March 10, 2012:

awesome.not yet a parent but i have now been empowered to handle the situation.

poowool5 from here in my house on March 10, 2012:

Oh I miss the "flower or butterfly" birthday party days, LauraGT (actually, with three boys, it was more, "dinosaurs or pirates")...so much fun...enjoy every year, take LOTS of photos, then come back and read this hub again because it's got all you need for navigating teen birthdays!

Dianna Mendez on March 10, 2012:

These are ideas that will go well with teens. As you said, they are so moody and you never know how they will react -- so, it is best to have them in on the planning process. Voted up!

The Frog Prince from Arlington, TX on March 10, 2012:

steph - I'll be 61 this coming Tuesday. Got any pointers? LMBO

The Frog

kelleyward on March 10, 2012:

Such a great hub. I love how he chose pumpkin pie for his bday cake. I bet your a great mom! Thanks for sharing my oldest is 7 but I'll be there quicker than I can imagine.

Jimmy the jock from Scotland on March 10, 2012:

Thanks Steph, you answered my question and gave me some great ideas to storm with my daughter, hopefully i will get more from her than the usual shrug of the shoulders lol.....jimmy

LauraGT from MA on March 10, 2012:

Thanks for the hub Stephhicks! I'm still in little kids world where I can say, "Do you want a flower party or a butterfly party?" and both are met with overwhelming enthusiasm. But I guess the teen years will be here before I know it!

Stephanie Marshall (author) from Bend, Oregon on March 09, 2012:

Thanks poowool - Sounds like your boys are very similar to mine. I'm sure my teens wold cringe like yours at the idea of cake and balloons. LOL! As they have gotten older, we've had to stop any "public displays" of birthday celebrations. Fortunately, I think we've managed to continue to make them feel special... at least so far. Good luck with your teenage birthdays too. :) Best, Steph

poowool5 from here in my house on March 09, 2012:

Great hub! And lots of good advice. I have two teenagers and when the time rolls around, I don't think i even use the P word (party) cos that instantly makes them think that mom's gong to trot out a big colorful cake, balloons, favors and other killer embarrassing things! My boys prefer the small gathering and as you point out, there are so many good, safe and fun ones to choose from. Getting them involved, and being flexible is key, you are so right. Thanks for the good info!