How do you entertain a teen who is not having any of it right now?
How do you convince a 12 year old who secretly wants to get their face painted that it’s okay?
And what do you even do for a 13th birthday?
Here is our run down for the most successful tween and teen birthdays ever! (Complete, of course, with our list of favorite entertainment!)
Theme Idea 1: Goodbye Childhood
This is our backdoor way to sneak in one last fun kids party, even if they believe they’re too “old for it”.
In truth, tweens are may say they want an adult party–but their parents and adults know they still have a soft spot for face painting, balloon twisting, and all the things they loved a few year ago.
Embrace the in-between and throw a party with traditionally-kid types of entertainment that are upgraded.
Consider UV-reactive face and body paint, LED balloon twisting, or caricatures as an upgrade to kids’ face painting, balloon twisting, or glitter tattoos. You’ll get one more year of a classic kids party, but in a way that makes them feel all grown up.
Theme Idea 2: Screen Free Party
While most tweens want more screen time, there are growing trends in Gen Alpha away from digital consumption and towards real-life experiences.
If your kid is craving things like physical media, time out of the house with their friends, or privacy from constant camera, why not have a party that invites their friends to do something new?
We’ve seen parents use things like a foam party or a paint night as a super-immersive experience that is more engaging than a phone screen and actually successfully have kids leave their phones in a box at the door. It’s one of the most exciting things to see as event planners, and in truth is a trend we’re seeing at the corporate level as well. (What better way to make your tween’s party feel exclusive and special than not invite anyone via their phones?)
Theme Idea 3: Y2K Night Club
Nostalgia is at an all time high with every age group–including tweens who don’t remember the world before smart phones and social media, but who are craving the social, mischievous depictions of being a teenage from the 80s through the 2000s.
Hire a DJ, photobooth, or karaoke and throw a Y2K-style night club party that’s still appropriate for middle and high schoolers. This is another great activity to get them off their phones if that’s your goal, but mostly just lets them feel grown up in a safe way.
Theme Idea 4: Festival
Speaking of nostalgia and immersive experiences, we’ve seen an uptick in “[Child’s Name] Fest” style parties complete with music, Coachella-inspired activities, and large crowds. For special milestones (13,15, or 16 depending on your family) this has been a great way to make a large event feel extra special.
A festival party can include glitter looks, tarot readings, and henna tattoos–and of course a DJ or amazing play list.
Categories: Birthday Party Ideas, Corporate Party Ideas, marketing & promotional, over-the-top, Party Entertainment (CT MA RI NH), Party Ideas (CT MA RI NH), teens, tweens