10 13th Birthday Party Ideas You’ll Love
Your little one is finally becoming a teen, so here are 10 13th birthday party ideas you will surely love!
Contents
Amusement park
Movie Night
Video-game themed party
Pool party
Host a bonfire
Dance party
Spa party
Sporting event
Emoji party
Backyard Campout
Fall in love with these 10 13th birthday party ideas
Turning 13 is a big deal. The move from child to teen is a rite of passage in itself, and it can be a huge change for kids and parents alike. For the child it is an official goodbye to childhood and a warm welcome to being a teenager. For parents, it can be a moment with overwhelming feelings of pride, anticipation and desire to stop your little one from growing up. To make this the most memorable moment for your child, we have put together a few favorite ideas to celebrate your newest teenager.
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1
Amusement park
A day full of fun and excitement.
Source BlooloopYour little one is finally becoming a teenager, how exciting! Reward them with an awesome day with friends at a local amusement park. It will be a time full of exhilarating fun as everyone enjoys the rides, whether it be a rollercoaster or a ferris wheel. For those who don’t enjoy roller coasters explore other options at the park ahead of time. If you’re in Pennsylvania or surrounding states, our top pick is Hershey Park. You can enjoy the rides, visit the Hershey factory, and of course get some delicious chocolate!
Be sure to check your chosen amusement park’s policies, as some allow you to bring in your own food. If not, almost every park has plentiful amounts of dining options and tasty treats.
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2
Movie Night
Nothing beats a trip to the cinema!
Source British CinematographerWho doesn’t love the movies? This idea is simple, and very easy to execute. Take your teen, and maybe a few friends, to catch a new movie in theaters. Perhaps, since they’re now of age, opt to allow them to see something PG-13. This is an option that certainly won’t break the bank.
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3
Video-game themed party
Play your way into good times.
Source XboxIf your teen loves gaming, this is an idea your kid will absolutely love.Throw a party around their favorite game! Send out invitations that show a photo of your child’s favorite character, along with all the party details. For decorations, ever since gaming exploded in popularity, they have been very easy to come by. If you want to step it up a notch, consider buying a projector so they can play the game on the big screen.
For a party like this, keep the food simple. Pizzas and wings are easy to grab and eat. If you want to stay true to the theme, consider getting a cake that is inspired by their favorite game. For instance, if your child is a Super Mario fan, you could have custom 1UP Mushroom burgers and Mario-themed cake.
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4
Pool party
You can never go wrong with this!
Source PopSugarWhile we are still basking in our summer memories, a pool party is hands down a universal favorite. There is nothing like some fun music and everyone unwinding by the pool for a perfect summer day. You can always be creative with invitations, such as sending them out on a beach ball. Consider buying some festive pool floats, the guests will be sure to love them. Remember to have enough towels to give out to guests or ask they provide their own on the invitation, as well as plenty of sunblock. If you live in an apartment complex that has an indoor, heated pool service, this can truly be a party to remember for birthdays in early-late fall.
For food, go with your child’s favorite. If you are at home or using a friend’s pool, try for BBQ and grill up their favorite choices. If you’re using a facility, such as the YMCA, you can always go with safe options such as pizza.
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5
Host a bonfire
Spend a night making smores!
Source The Auburn PlainsmanHost a bonfire at your house for your teen and their friends. Fire pits are generally affordable, if you don’t have one already, and very simple to install. Lively up the mood by providing a speaker to listen to their favorite music while having a fun, relaxed night. Don’t forget the tiki torches to enhance the environment and keep away mosquitos.
Keep the food simple. S’mores are an all-time classic, making them a must on your list. For colder months, consider adding hot chocolate, a tasty treat that will pair excellently with the fire.
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6
Dance party
Bust out your best moves!
Source FSUIs your little one always bustling with energy? What if you can take that energy, and channel it into something fun? Dance parties can do exactly that and more. When you invite guests, ask them their favorite song so you can add it to the playlist for the evening. Set the mood with party lights, plus neon bracelets and necklaces. Even throw in a game of limbo for old-time’s sake.
Be creative with food options. Get a chocolate fondue fountain, put out bowls of snacks like chips and pretzels, and perhaps get some mini hoagies or cheese steaks to refuel their energy from all the dancing.
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7
Spa party
Transform your home into a spa!
Source The Spa at StonecrestYour new teen is beginning the path to adulthood, so why not bestow some pampering? For this party idea, transform your home into a spa. Send out invitations that resemble a coupon for a spa treatment. You can really be creative with how you set up your home, but we recommend setting up mini stations. At each station, have different activities, such as nail painting or hair styling. Of course, make sure to send your guests home with little spa goodie bags, which can include nail polish and/or lotion.
Satisfy guest’s taste buds via small bites. Consider serving tea sandwiches, smoothies, or a fruit tray.
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8
Sporting event
A timeless classic.
Source Philadelphia MagazineIf your teen is an avid sports fan, a sport’s game would be the perfect setting to celebrate the occasion. As of recent years, it’s become more affordable to get tickets on group deals and reselling platforms, such as StubHub. In addition, some minor league teams even offer group tickets that include food. If you are looking to go that route, it is always recommended to call that team’s box office to hear more details. If you can’t make it to a game, consider hosting your own game at a park or a club nearby. It’s a fun way to keep the kids active and appeal to their competitive side.
Regardless of the route you choose, stadium/ballpark concessions are always great for kids. From funnel cakes and ice cream to hamburgers and hot dogs, your choices vary. Always be on the lookout for deals, such as dollar dog night, for cost-effective party planning. If you’re hosting the game at a park then consider a picnic and if its at a club, call the in-house restaurant in advance to determine your options.
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9
Emoji party
All your feelings in icons.
Source CGTraderAn emoji-themed 13th birthday party is great for the technology obsessed generations. Get creative with the decorations by using sites such as Amazon for ideas. Add trendy items throughout the party space, such as a selfie station with props. Moreover, you can always give guests goodie bags that include emoji themed items that are sure to make them remember the day. If you know that the crowd at the party will be enthusiastic, take it a step further by making it a costume party and asking each guest to dress up as their favorite emoji.
Go the extra mile with desserts, and get an emoji themed cake or cupcakes! This will match the theme perfectly and will be a sure hit with your teen and all their friends
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10
Backyard Campout
A sleepover with a twist.
Source Portland MonthlyWith son or daughter reaching teenhood, you probably aren’t quite ready to let them venture out into the woods by themselves to camp, however, here’s a solution. You can have your teen and their friends all have a sleepover campout in your backyard. If you need tents, there are plenty of affordable options out there.
Let your teen order delivery or takeout from their favorite spot. After, impress all your guests with a bonfire and s’mores, or even an ice cream bar inside. It doesn’t get better than a night under the stars!
We hope these options have sparked some new ideas for you. If you liked reading along, please check out our blog for some more tips and tricks and tell us what you think!
- 1. Amusement park
- 2. Movie Night
- 3. Video-game themed party
- 4. Pool party
- 5. Host a bonfire
- 6. Dance party
- 7. Spa party
- 8. Sporting event
- 9. Emoji party
- 10. Backyard Campout