Get the Party Started With These Birthday Ideas for Teenage Girls
It’s your daughter’s birthday and you want to think of a trendy, fun teenage birthday party theme that will dazzle her friends, match your budget, and be social media worthy. Don’t worry, we’re here to help. We’ve put together a list of birthday party themes along with complementary birthday party ideas for teenage girls spanning decorations, food, and activities. Consider us your party planning assistants, ready to pull off the perfect get-together.
11 Party Themes and Birthday Ideas for Teenage Girls
Whether she’s turning 13 years old, 16 years old, or is in her last teen years, these birthday themes should hit the mark. Let’s get the teen birthday party planning started!
1. Movie Night
Maybe the newest rom com just hit theaters or a classic film with their Hollywood crush is available for streaming. Either way, a movie night themed party is an easy win.
Make it an outing if you have a large group and take them to your local movie theater. If you have the budget, book a private viewing: At AMC Theatres, it’s about $8-$16 per guest depending on group size, which might end up being cheaper than a standard screening.
Or, watch a film under the stars by renting a projector and projector screen (a sheet could also suffice). Set the mood with some lanterns or globe string lights and put out some chairs, blankets, and patio furniture for comfy seating. Create a “concession stand” with lots of snack and drink options and freshly popped popcorn in individual bags. And be sure to bring out plenty of blankets and mosquito repellent depending on the time of year!
If your teenager would prefer something more low key and indoors, a movie marathon in the living room can be an equally fun way to celebrate.
2. Sleepover Birthday Celebration
Design: M. Taylor Design Co.
Did somebody say pillow fight? Tried and true, slumber parties never lose their luster. They serve as a great gathering for your teenage daughter to celebrate her birthday in a special way with a small group of her closest friends.
The girls can enjoy a cozy night in their pajamas, have a game night playing board games, do each other’s nails, tell stories, share secrets, and watch movies. Or, instead of board games, consider printing out some editable slumber party games from Etsy, like Would You Rather, Sleepover Bingo, Selfie Race, and Spin the Nail Polish Bottle.
Level up your slumber party with individual air mattresses and tents decorated with fairy lights and comfy, colorful pillows to create a serene glamping feel. End the evening with delicious s’mores and break out some serving trays to usher in the morning by pampering the birthday girl’s besties with breakfast or brunch in bed. If you’re looking for a customized touch, order matching pajamas or eye masks for the perfect slumber party photo opp.
3. Dance and Karaoke Party
Design: Signature Greenvelope
Is your teen girl an extrovert who has no shame belting a tune or cutting loose? A dance party or karaoke party will put her in her happy place. Set up a dance floor, incorporate mood lighting, break out the speakers and karaoke machine, and encourage guests to dance and sing their hearts out.
Singing contests, synchronized dances, personalized playlists, and dance-offs can make it all the more memorable. If your teen girl is hoping to be an influencer some day, a coordinated dance for TikTok could be a fun activity for the dance party. Add even more excitement by turning off the lights and passing out glow sticks!
If your space won’t work for a rowdy evening, consider taking the group to a local concert or dance class.
Don’t forget to film some of it (if allowed, of course) — you can add dance party clips to the photo and video stash you’re saving for her graduation party one day.
4. DIY Arts & Craft Party
Design: Noonday Design
Painting classes, pottery classes, or making a DIY craft at home are all excellent party options for an artsy teen. Places like Painting with a Twist offer parties that make it easy for beginners to create a masterpiece they can be proud of. Tote bag decorating, tie-dye shirts, lip balm kits, and jewelry making are a few options to consider for craft parties at home. Plus, the end result makes a party favor to take home.
Extend the artsy theme into the decor with bright, bold colors. And, consider letting guests decorate their own cupcakes to keep their creative juices flowing. If you have some extra time on your hands, extend the DIY theme into making party decorations.
5. Spa Day
Help your teen kick back and relax with her favorite girls by hosting a spa day themed party. Slice up some cucumbers, buy a pack of single-use face masks, grab an array of nail polish, set the mood with a soothing playlist and candlelight, and pamper the girls with their own salon experience. If your budget allows, personalized robes can be a nice touch to add to the excitement and relaxation of the day.
In addition to mani-pedis and facials, serve up some mocktails, sparkling beverages, or cucumber water along with some light snacks to further set the scene. As for decorations, aim for a comfortable setting with pastel decor to aid the calming vibe.
If you’d rather do less work, take the birthday girl and her guests to a salon nearby to have professionals pamper them.
6. Beach or Pool Party
Who doesn’t love splashing around in a big body of water with their best friends? Help your daughter dive into her new chapter of life by hosting a beach or pool party. Sunglasses, inner tubes, beach balls, and pool noodles are a must. For some added fun, consider buying an inflatable tic tac toe pool game, setting up a volleyball net, or putting out an inflatable basketball hoop.
Quench their thirst by serving lemonade or punch poolside. Jazz up the drinks with fruit and cocktail umbrellas to make them feel like they’re on vacation. Plus, luau-inspired decorations go hand-in-hand with pool parties. Purchase some leis, grass skirting, and coconut, pineapple, and hibiscus inspired decorations and you’re ready for a festive and fun day in the sun.
7. Red Carpet Party
Give your teenager the movie star treatment by throwing them a Hollywood-themed party. Set the scene with red, gold, black, and white balloons, tablecloths, and tableware—and don’t forget the red carpet!
Have their friends dress in their most Hollywood-esque outfits and prep a large background for the paparazzi (or in this case, momarazzi) to snap some pics. Prep a basket of photo props including director clapperboards, feather boas, trophies, gold stars, hats, and more to add to the poses. Using a Polaroid camera is a fun way to give your teen’s closest friends a memento to take home.
To build on the festivities, have a fashion show with a best dressed contest, play Hollywood trivia, make a movie, or have a movie-themed scavenger hunt. Carry out the theme with trophies for the winners and give them the opportunity to deliver an acceptance speech to close out the night.
8. Decades Party
Even though “playing dress-up” might not be the same as it was during the toddler ages, there is still plenty of fun to be had dressing up for themed parties. Give your teenager the option of hosting a retro party with a specific decade or giving their friends a free-for-all, choose-your-own-decade party. Most teenagers love the chance to dress up in crazy clothes like ‘80s big hair, neon, and leg warmers or ‘70s bell bottoms.
Let your teen and her friends go all out and complement their outfits and hair do’s with decor and music that will take them back in time. If the party theme is the ‘90s, tee up some N*SYNC, Backstreet Boys, Spice Girls, or Britney Spears. If it’s the ‘70s, focus on groovy tunes and hang a disco ball from the ceiling. Or, if it’s a multi-decade theme, mix it up with a playlist that spans all the decades the group is celebrating. And be sure to encourage them to bust a move!
9. Fancy Dinner Gathering
Design: Chica Design
If your teen is dying to feel older, host a fancy dinner party. Transform your kitchen and dining room into a high-class, five-star restaurant (yes, cheating with takeout is OK). Buy some gold-toned plates and silverware to pair with cloth napkins to craft a fancy atmosphere. A gorgeous centerpiece with flowers, greenery, and candles coupled with soft music can help set the mood.
Plan to serve four courses starting out with gourmet finger foods, then on to a nice salad and main course (pasta is a teen favorite), and rounding out the meal with an elegant birthday cake. Pop some Martinelli’s to add to the sophistication. Follow up the fine dining with a night of board games or a movie.
10. Murder Mystery Dinner
Design: Jen Montgomery
If you have a sleuth on your hands who is always solving the latest episode of “Criminal Minds” before they divulge the perp or is dreaming of joining the CIA one day, a murder mystery themed party would be a thrill for her. If hosting at your house sounds exciting, there are plenty of murder mystery kits you can buy, many that even have downloadable party games, like Night of Mystery. You can choose a theme that’s suitable for the age group.
Dish out roles to each of the party-goers and have a game master on hand to make sure they stay on script and act their part. To give guests more time to prepare for their part, send invitations out that detail their assigned roles so they know what to wear and how to act. Aid them in getting into character by decorating your house to match the setting of the crime scene. Handing out prizes for pro performances, the best apparel, and great detective can add to the enjoyment.
If you would prefer not to host your own, see if there’s a company that puts on murder mysteries near you or consider an escape room for your up-and-coming detective.
11. Skating Party
Design: Signature Greenvelope
Hosting a skating party is a classic party idea that never gets old. Your teen girl might be a skating pro or more of a novice, but skating around a rink with friends while listening to catchy tunes can be good for the soul. Depending on the venue, going all out with decorations could be limited but there are some things to keep in mind: Go with bold or neon colors, serve up wheel-shaped foods like donuts and bagels, put up streamers and skate silhouettes, and bring retro party supplies like disco balls, boomboxes, cassette tapes, and records to hang up if allowed.
Many skating rinks routinely turn down the lights to create a cool vibe. If you know your local rink does this, bring along some glow sticks, necklaces, and bracelets to add to the fun. Or completely rent out the space and make the entire event a glow skating party.
If she’s not into skating but enjoys sports and being active, you could also consider other outings that might be up her alley like bowling, go karting, paintball, a trampoline park, or laser tag. These make great co-ed birthday bashes as well.
Make It Memorable With These Birthday Ideas for Teenage Girls
Pull out all the stops as you celebrate your teen’s special day to make it the most memorable birthday bash yet. We hope these 11 birthday party ideas for teenage girls have set you on your course to dial up the party planning. From a glamorous Hollywood party to a high-energy pool party to a low-key slumber party or spa day, you can’t go wrong.
Once you’ve nailed down the theme for the get-together and key party details, customize your own digital invitation for your upcoming event. We offer tons of invitations to match your theme and celebrate specific teenage milestones like a sweet 16.
