16th Birthday Party Ideas?!
16th Birthday Party Ideas?
My son will be 16 in September and wants a party. I have seen people spend thousands of dollars for 16th birthday parties and I just think that is ridicolous. What can of party can we do so we are not breaking the bank so he and his friends can have a good time and I want it to be something that he can always remember.
Answers:
Take him and his buddies to "Paint Ball". Formulate teams prior, with themes and what not. Really make them think and plan. When they are done have a nice BBQ in a Military or battle tent motif. Boy's dig that stuff. Not expensive, but they will burn lots of energy and they will be less likely to cause malfeasance later. I wouldn't go to over board with the "16" as a huge milestone. I would save that for the ladies and the "sweet 16" deal. When I turned 16 I immediately took my driver's license test and that morning I was legal to drive. What could be more exciting to a 16 year old boy?? Not much. Remember - Less is More.
My daughter just turned 16 and we gave her a limo ride for a couple of hours. She took 5 friends and they had a blast.
(I am 26 and did not have a huge "sweet 16") Personally...if you have the room and it is in the summer months a big outdoor party is great. Grill up some food...have a volleyball net or such....set up a music system (or if he has a fav local band see if they will play) You don't have to worry about people in your house, or how many show up. If you have a lot of room (and do want to spend money) get a couple go-carts, a moon bounce (I know sounds crazy but I don't know anyone who doesn't like them), and a pool if you don't already have one (like an inflatible one). Decorate a lot...and just have fun. Sorry this won't help if you live in a close neighborhood.
Also...focus on what your son really likes and make that a big thing....if he skateboards set up a ramp
Also...we have some small "amusement parks" around here (go-carts, video games, lazer tag, etc) A lot of them will rent out the entire place for a day and not break the bank as long as it is not peak season. Then just let them have at it!
ask where him and his friends like to go hang out cause some places cater. maybe have it at the house. have him invite some friends get a DJ and have it like a dance party. or rent a place and have it like a dance party. or theme parties like an 80's party or murder mystery party. those are really fun. or if your house has a pool you can have a pool party.
Maybe if you asked him what kind of theme he would enjoy for his party.I wouldn't really know what would be an appropriate idea because i have not turned 16 yet , but sometimes i watch "My Super Sweet 16" MTV and you could probably get some ideas from that show but modify them from expensive to cheap but fun so you dont break the bank.Some teenagers on that show have outrageous parties that are extremely ridiculous and the teenagers act like spoiled brats.Whatever works for you.
a luau is nice, that's what I had. Buy everybody grass skirts, leis and coconut bras! :-) Deck the house out with stuff you can get from the family dollar or your local dollar store. I got a bunch of tiki torches around $3 and they really set the mood... Have tiki heads and Hawiian flowers all over.
I have also done a murder mystery party. Have everyone dress up and buy a mystery offline.
I do theme birthday parties all of the time. What does your son like? Does he have favorite tv show? Or a favorite hobby? It doesn't take a lot of money to pull off a great party. I've done unique parties like: Dora the Explorer in Mexico, Football party ( Redskins vs. Cowboys), First Birthday Luau, American Top Model Party and A 13th Birthday Hollywood Premiere Party.
Find out what he likes and play it up to the hilt. For example my 5 yr old niece loves Dora and her mother wanted to give her a Dora party. Well it would be easy just to get the Dora plates etc. but i take it a step further. Dora lives in Mexico so the whole party was centered around Mexico. Made print a home invites on postcard stock that looked like postcards from Mexico. Since she translates things from english to spanish i did the same. Made tissue paper flowers for the room. Did a wall with my nieces favorite sayings (she was 3 then) in english and then translated into spanish. Made and activity table with free stuff i found online from nick.com. I had marachee music playing as if in mexico and all of the food they ate was spanish inspired (tacos, nachos, churros, etc.).
Obviously your son is MUCH older than this but this just gives you some ideas. Is he into cars. How about a pimp my ride party or video games. Did a video game birthday party too. Set up stations with PS2's, Gamecube and Xbox. (games donated for the day by friends) Kids sat a different stations playing games. And the food was named video game stuff like frogger fries, Sonic Sodas.
Believe me it won't cost a lot and it will be memorable! Just think out of the box and stick to a specific theme.
Good Luck!
best way is to spend your time with an old age home or with the mentally retarted people.the happyness in their eyes will yor nicest gift from them. i have tried it.