Birthday Party
Themes & Ideas for 13-Year-Olds
As anyone who's seen the movie "Thirteen" can attest, becoming a teenager is a critical moment in a young person's life. It marks the transition from child to adolescent, and the whimsical themes of birthday parties past simply won't do. Even if the birthday boy or girl is still a child at heart, the embarrassment factor comes in, and appearing "cool" is everything. Does this Spark an idea?
Go Somewhere
Hosting a home party for your 13-year-old can be frustrating. You can't follow the same guidelines you've been using for years; as the Birthday Party Games Lady website says, "Pinatas and a pizza just doesn't cut it anymore." And yet the birthday boy and his guests aren't quite adults, either, so a formal dinner party would be met with lots of eye-rolling. So why not have a simple cake-and-gifts ceremony shortly after guests arrive and then recruit a couple of fellow parents as chaperones and drivers for a birthday party field trip? If you have a theme park nearby, many offer significant group discounts. If not, then how about the local bowling alley, game arcade or go-kart track? If it's a summer birthday, organize a beach party or a kayak flotilla on the lake or bay; in the winter, simply treat everyone to a movie.
Dance Party
Turning 13 is a real milestone birthday, marking the transition from childhood to the beginnings of adulthood. Make the birthday boy feel grown-up by hosting a coed dance at a local hotel. Rent a portion of a ballroom--how big and how grand depends on your budget--hire a deejay, and you're on your way. Make sure the deejay knows the age of the participants and plays appropriate music. And be sure you have at least a couple of fellow parent chaperons on hand. You don't want to be overly intrusive, but you do want to keep an eye on things.
Home Sweet Home
Coming up with a home party theme might be a little more trying than it used to be, but use your imagination and you'd be surprised at what you might come up with. Focus on making the kids feel "grown up," and play into their interests. By the time they turn 13, most kids love a good mystery, so consider throwing a murder mystery party. Send out invitations, informing each guest of his or her "character," and then when the guests have all arrived, start the fun. Be sure to study up on the rules beforehand.
If you have a pool, consider a coed Hawaiian luau. Luau parties have been enjoyed by adults for years, and your 13-year-old and his guests will love it as well, particularly if you serve frothy tropical drinks (sans alcohol, of course).
Thirteen-year-olds also love video games, and while many parents bemoan the hours their children spend in a dark room, blowing things up, staging a tournament can actually be quite fun for everyone involved, even the organizers. Pick something like Rock Band, Guitar Hero or Wii Fitness, and award a prize to the winner--maybe a copy of the game. You'd be surprised at how much fun this can be--and if you have the patience and don't mind missing a night of sleep, top it off with a sleepover.
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