Not all teens want over-the-top teen parties or Sweet Sixteen birthday parties. And of course, not all parents can afford to pay for them!

We wanted to find popular alternatives to the costly teen birthday boys and birthday girls celebrations we see on TV.

So we asked a bunch of mothers of teens what their kids have enjoyed doing for recent birthday celebrations.

While some teen birthday girls' parties focus on primping and pampering, some moms said that both their sons and daughters have enjoyed more outdoorsy and sports-oriented activities.

Here are some of the most popular teen girl and boy ideas we ran across. Some included family members, only. Others were fun boys and girls ideas for the birthday boy or girl and some close friends:

  • Tickets to a sporting event
  • Sports afternoon or evening, including everyone hitting in a batting cage, or indoor rock climbing, or going up against tennis ball machines; another possibility—flying trapeze experience for the teens—if there's one nearby.
  • A mall scavenger hunt, in which kids have to locate certain landmarks, or find specific items in store windows; prizes awarded to the winning team
  • A trip on a party boat
  • The familiar spa party for girls, at a salon or at home. Click here for the perfect party decor ideas for teen birthday girls.
  • An introductory group golf lesson for the birthday boy or girl and his/her friends
  • A treasure hunt at home or in another location—everyone looks for the same item; prizes awarded
  • At-home casino night or Texas Hold-em match. Click here for poker party supplies.
  • Movie night at home or in a local theater, with lots of snacks and movie(s) chosen by the birthday boy or girl. Click here for great movie choices for teen girls.
  • Karaoke contest (the other kids are the judges)
  • Concert tickets, if affordable
  • Old-fashioned, fun, backyard team relay races (three-legged race, wheelbarrow races, racing with an egg on a spoon, hot potato, water balloon toss--you and your kids can think of many more)
  • An experience trip, such as camping, canoeing, white-water rafting; supervised by parents as well as professionals, of course
  • Hiring an entertainer such as a magician or hypnotist who specifically works with teens
  • Jewelry-making, using one or two pre-made kits, or bulk materials from a craft or bead store
  • Any type of group sports competition, such as softball or soccer; winning team gets nominal prizes. Check out these amazing sports themed cakes and paper goods.
  • "Recycled inventions:" Based on one of our blog posts. Put together two identical boxes of recyclable household items--e.g., empty paper towel rolls; cans; fabric or wrapping paper pieces; lengths of rope or ribbon; buttons, etc. Each team uses the materials to create a new "invention." Prize awarded to winning team.

More great ideas for boys' and girls' birthday parties:

Teen birthday partiesGirl's 13th birthday party ideas
Affordable party extras that teens love
Top tween and teen birthday party themes
Sophisticated teen party décor
20 top party foods for teens
Great teen and tween movies

Comments

ritakontny says:
I like all your ideas and would just like to mention adding flipflops to the mix. A colorful design perhaps to match the theme of the event. Girls any age love to have something fun on their feet especially at a party together!!

Rita Kontny
yourflipflops.com rkontny@sbcglobal.net

frenchcliphairbows says:
I would like to add "Making fun greeting cards or party favors using the Cricut". This is really fun for kids who like arts and crafts.

frenchcliphairbows.com

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