Trying to plan a teenage birthday party can feel like mission impossible. You want to do something cool for them, but what you may think is awesome may just elicit a few disapproving eye rolls. What can you do to make sure they have a party they will actually love that won’t embarrass them in front of their friends? Here are a few tips on throwing a birthday bash for your teenager.
Get Them Involved
Asking your teenager what they want to do for their birthday may initially lead to a few shrugs or little response. Don’t despair. A study showed that 71% of people love celebrating their birthday, including teenagers. You just need to work together to come up with a few ideas.
Consider their unique interests, personality, and preferences. Approximately 50 million people have acne, with 85% being teenagers. They may be worried about their appearance and want a low key get together with a couple of friends.
If your teenager is outgoing, they may want an elaborate bash, especially if they are turning Sweet Sixteen. If you get stuck coming up with ideas, consider asking one of their friends for suggestions.
Select A Location And Activities
If your teenager wants to invite more friends then your house can reasonably hold, you may want to find a suitable party spot that won’t break the bank.
The best locations for a birthday bash involve places that offer multiple entertainment options requiring little adult supervision. Some fantastic options include a bowling alley, family fun center, or an escape room.
If you do have the party at home, you can provide entertainment options such as a backyard barbecue and bonfire or create a video game tournament with multiple TVs and game systems in your living room. You can also do a makeshift social media party where you provide a cool backdrop and let your teenager and friends snap pics together and share them online.
Pay Attention to the Details
Once you have an idea on the overall theme of the party and its location, it’s time to get decorations for the event. You should choose no more than three colors to create a matching theme for the balloons, napkins, and paper plates you’ll need. Keep the colors and patterns simple and natural. Use your child’s favorite colors as part of their celebration.
Fortunately, it’s not too tough to find something your teen’s guests will eat. But feeding a bunch of hungry teenagers can get expensive. A couple of affordable and easy options are to get pizza or set up a taco bar.
Stock up on things like chips, soda, and other party snacks a week or two before the event. Consider getting cupcakes rather than a big sheet cake. Just be sure to ask your teenager what they would like for their big day.
If you are planning to have the party at a location that’s not your home, make sure you arrive a couple of hours early to set up all of the decorations. If the party will be at home, divide the party area into three zones. You’ll want an area for dancing, one for food and drinks, and the third for game activities.
Your teenager can choose their own music and DJ the party themselves. Before the party, move any expensive or fragile items out of the party area into another room.
While most teenagers are trustworthy, you may not want to risk your family heirlooms.
Recruit Chaperoning Help
It’s never a good idea to leave a group of teenagers alone completely unsupervised. However, you don’t want to kill the party vibe either. It can be embarrassing as a teenager to have your parents hovering around when they’re trying to have fun with their friends.
If the party is friends only and no adults allowed, get a friend or two to provide you with some company and help keep an eye on things. You can hang out in another room and pop in once in a while to take a peek and see if any snacks or drinks need to be replenished.
There are a few things to keep in mind while chaperoning your child’s party that will help you avoid embarrassing them. Avoid any signs of affection such as kissing, hugging, or using pet names at the party in front of their friends.
Stay in the background as much as possible and don’t plan any surprises. Do your best to keep a cool head because things may get broken or spilled. Make sure to disinfect and sanitize the party area when you’re finished. You can catch a cold within three days of coming into contact with someone who has the virus, whether or not they show any symptoms.
Throwing a great birthday bash for your teenager can be challenging, but you’ll make things much easier using these tips. Your teenager will be able to have fun with their friends without feeling embarrassed and you’ll know they’re safe. Relax and enjoy the day!
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