Seeking Ideas for a Birthday Party for a 16 Year Old Boy.

I would ask him what he wants to do. That's such a tough one. Although I think someone said paintball party and I bet that would be a big hit.

I've been through two sweet 16's so far for my daughters, and they had both boys and girls at their parties, the first one we rented a hall and had a dj, the second one we had in our house and had a dj for most of the party and they played cd's after the dj left, but they both turned out the same as long as we had food and the kind of music the kids wanted to hear everybody was happy. I kept a close eye on the kids, but just kind of stayed in the backround where nobody noticed, and everyone was happy. When they turn 16 most kids just want to be cool. good luck hope this helps in some way.
S.

there are many things you could use. A DJ for a music theme or some kind of paint ball theme. You can do a sport theme depending on what he is in to.

Hi D.,
I think at 16 themes may be "uncool" but you may find one that is for example a skater party, or a sports theme. run some ideas by your son. We rented a hall for my daughter's sweet 16th. She wanted a formal dance party with music and food and her friends in formal apparrel. (cost about 300.00 as my church donated the hall) We also made up a picture board of tons of pictures from when she was a baby and ones from now and titled it "Our Baby Is Sweet 16!" She wasn't too embarrassed by it!
Have fun with it!
Blessings!,
A.

What if you take a group of friends to a game, baseball, basketball, hockey, etc. All of the arenas have some sort of birthday package.

I'm not so sure that a "theme" is the way to go. By 16 that's old news to the kids. I have three boys ages 16, 17 and 18, and when they have any birthday gathering these days, they either do something or they do nothing at all. By that I mean, they've gotten their friends together to go to a rock climbing gym, for instance. Or they just come over and hang out, play video games and eat us out of house and home.

So my suggestion is to either organize an event that your son and his friends like, i.e., climbing gym, a sporting event, maybe go-carts or paint ball... Or just have the guys over to hang out. Either way, with boys, always provide lots of food! :) Enjoy! I love teenagers, especially boys. I'm really going to miss all the activity and goofiness around here when they move out.

I dont know if a theme is appropriate for a 16 year old. Just having a party should be enough

My daughter is twelve and each year it gets harder to think of themes for her birthday party. I think that I am getting in the stage with her where she is getting a little too old for theme parties. Talk to your son to see what he is into right now. Instead of focusing on a theme, why not a sport he is into. For my daughter's birthday last year that is what I did. She loves swimming so much we had a pool party, with no specific theme. I put up balloons and a banner and of course food and that was about it. The kids spent more time in the pool playing with each other that a real theme wouldn't have mattered anyway. But definitely talk to him to see how he would want his birthday party. He may have some ideas of his own.

P.

I agree with the advice already given. At 16 themes are done! Depending on when his birthday is the pool party, ballgame or DJ are all great ideas. The family party should be held seperatly with a simple menu and cake and ice cream. Save your money for the friend party. You'll need it! If your son's birthday is during warm weather even a local amusement park would be an idea specially if they have a water park. You also have to find out if he plans on including any friends who are girls!

I'd ask him if he wanted a party or not. Most 16 years old might just like to have a few friends over and order pizza and just hang out and do what boys do. If you wanna get the family together and go out for dinner or something. Im only 21 yrs old and I know when I was 16 the last things I really wanted was to have my family and friends together. I hope I helped alittle...

Phooey on the moms who think themes are uncool for 16 year old boys! You can totally make it fun and his friends will think you are the coolest mom ever! My daughter will be 16 in a year and I am planning it at our house. Have some immediate family members cook a dish to cut out the cost of a caterer and add a decent-sized radio for some good tunes (we have a karoake machine that is always a hit). Here are a few fun ideas that are always a hit at our family functions...1) Create your own mad lib (funny story with blanks for nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc), have each party guest contribute a word and have your son read it during the party, 2) Create a poster-sized collage of baby, toddler, "geek stage" pics up to present time of your son, 3) Create a newspaper (8.5 x 11) of events that happened the year he was born including a funny headline and make copies for people to read or take home.

Have him invite his girl and guy pals - they'll have fun hanging out while you and the other family members live it up, allowing him and his friends some space. Good luck!

I would rent a bowling alley place and take him and his friends their and take pizza and cake their so they can eat it and have a good time.

Dear D.,
Always a surprise party is a good theme based on some of the things he likes like sports, interests, or hobbies. If none apply just a simple surprise party will be fun.
S.

my son is going to be 16 and we are having dj & karaoke for my 16 year old son

My son is almost 19 now, but I threw a party for his 16th. You really don't need a theme for it, but pick things that he likes. For example, my son was totally into skateboarding, and bmx bikes, so thats what I based the cake and some of the decorations on. You don't want to make it too "cutesy" or he will never live it down with his friends. LOL Just include his friends, and have music and foods that he likes, and it is bound to be a huge hit. Good luck!!!!

I agree with most on this one.. 16 is a little too old for a themed party. Depending on what your son is into, I would stick to the things him and his friends like to fo but maybe can't always get to .. like a sporting event, or Dave and Busters (not sure where you are from but this is an awesome place in Philly that has every game imaginable for all age groups.. my husband still loves to go there)
But no matter what you do.. try not to make it to kidish.. kids are really funny at this age, and the fact of having friends around their parents is enough to make them crazy...lol
good luck

you can have a pool party at a local hotel that we did when one of the girls in our family. You can also do a party at the ice rink or skate park. HOpe this helps.

Let him have a few friends over, order pizza, junk food (chips, soda,ect.), cake, ice cream, and leave them be. Check on them but dont hover.