A 16th A birthday is a milestone in many cultures and offers a step towards adulthood. Although it is intended to be a fun and exciting occasion it can also be difficult to plan and quite stressful. Knowing what the birthday guest of honor wants to do is a strong start and ensures they have fun and a day to remember. Lots of great ideas for a 16th birthday, both gifts and for a party.
Fun 16th Birthday Ideas
Extreme Sports
Stay active and share a new experience in extreme sports. Bungee jumping, skydiving, snorkelling, surfing, and many others, can be a great birthday party idea. The suspense is sure to appeal to any 16-year-old, and people will be talking about it for weeks. Extreme sports are sure to be a hit.
Paintball
As a popular pastime, paintball goes through waves of popularity, It’s a fun way to bond with friends by teaming up against another team, or to show friendship by shooting paintballs to all their friends. Most paintball locations will allow you to rent a facility for a few hours and have the place to yourself.
Formal Dance
For a touch of elegance and welcome to adulthood, a formal dance complete with formal attire and a variety of finger foods can make anyone feel grown up and important. A majestic experience for anyone who loves the romance of weddings or proms will surely love their own sweet 16 ball.
Murder Mystery Dinner
Encourage problem solving and take on new challenges in a murder mystery dinner. These can be with hired actors or made up yourself with each person getting a role to play and the history for their character. Lovers of drama and mystery will remember this experience for a lifetime.
Sports Club
Sports clubs or some sport based restaurants are ideal for a 16th birthday party for someone who likes to try new sports. Many have full restaurants that will serve your food, along with pool tables, basketball hoops or games, practice and machines for practicing your golf swing. Others may have an entire bowling alley along with other sports-based games. They offer something for everyone and can be booked in full or a section for a meal and then enjoy all the activities on offer.
Spa day
A day at the spa with manicures and pedicures, massages, steam rooms, and even skin treatments is a decadent way to celebrate your new 16th birthday. Make her and her friends feel beautiful and pampered with a spa experience. And you can set them up for a lifetime of taking care of themselves when they need it.
Go Karts
Go karting is a staple birthday party idea and it remains popular because of how much fun it is. Let the youngsters speed up the driving on the racetrack instead of the city streets. This ensures that laughter and light competition will ensue, and will make your party the talk of the school week.
Theme Park/Amusement Park
Find something that appeals to everyone by taking them to an amusement park, theme park, or fair grounds. From delicious food to exciting rides or challenging games, nothing will be left out. Parents can take it a little longer by releasing visitors to an amusement park with set times and places to meet and meals of the top fried food varieties.
Weekend Trip
Escape the mundane everyday with a weekend away. Book a hotel or house boat and pack up their best friends to experience a new city. There are endless places to visit and a trip to fit any budget. Take a road trip to save money or fly to a big city for a more luxurious experience.
Camping
If you and your birthday teenager want to go camping, getting out of the city and offering a camping trip is what they want. Pack up their favorite snacks, campfire items, and your kayaks or lawn darts for a full weekend experience they’re sure to remember.
Art Class or Experience
Book a painting class or a pottery experience to ignite the creative spark. Artists and their friends will find it a bonding experience as they support and encourage each other to try new techniques or find love in a new artist endeavor.
Concert
A concert is a sure way to impress their friends and guarantee a fun experience. Everyone has a great concert story from their teenage years and through planning it for their 16th A birthday party will make you a celebrity.
Cooking/Baking Class
Skip the movie and start new conversations, a fun way to bond, and learn about your teen and their friends with a cooking or baking class. Not only will you all get something to eat at the end and a fun experience, but everyone will have some skills they can use for life.
Boat Tour
Whether you have one nearby or you’re going on a weekend away, a boat tour is a great way to experience something new. Limited space encourages interaction and sharing of experiences. And you can see whales, sea lions, corals, and more. Along with an amazing view of the city and land that you can’t see otherwise.
Private Movie Experience
Theaters offer rentals that allow you to have the entire theater to yourself. A few throwback movies will wow the movie buff in your life, while a new release can bring all their friends an experience they won’t soon forget, and an opportunity to talk to a movie without disturbing others.
Rock Climbing
Rock climbing is a great adventure for anyone who is active. And whether it’s indoor stone walls or out in the landscape, the challenge is one to thrive. It can promote some small competition but also encourages each other, support, and cooperation.
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About the Author
Jane Sheriff is the founder, creative director, party planner and mother of three. She started Darling Celebrations in 2012 to share easy and beautiful ideas for celebrating life’s special events.
