12 Year Old Birthday Party Ideas

hand written colorful 12 year olds rock sign

photo by funkidbirthdays.com

Coming up with 12-year-old birthday party ideas can be a hard task. Just ask any parent that has a young one around that age. You see, 12 is an age where a lot of people go into, what I refer to as, “the tunnel”. The reason I call it the tunnel is that in and around the teen years children are starting to be hit with a whack of hormones. The tunnel comes into play because, at this stage of their life, their parents are often the last people on earth that they want to talk to. For anybody who has children in and around that age and are wondering how long this tunnel is, well the other side seems to be in the latter part of their teenage years. Sorry. But the good news is that not all go into this stage.

12 Year Old Birthday Party Ideas That Are 12 Years in the Making

I saw this video below recently that a very proud father did for his 12-year-old daughter. You see, the dad took short video clips of his daughter every week of every year since her birth. He then posted his video online and low and behold it has become a bit of an Internet sensation. Not that this birthday party idea can be easily implemented, especially if the birthday boy or girl is just about to turn 12. But, for anyone reading this, it just might be a great idea of something that you can start today and finish, well, I guess when you want it to be done. In this dad’s case he posted the video below after her 12th birthday but he is continuing to add his video as his daughter ages. I sense a future wedding video.

Talk about 12-year-old birthday party ideas that are literally 12 years in the making. And counting…

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Kids Birthday Party Ideas Centered around Earth Day

photo by dreamstime.com

For this post we thought that we would present some earth friendly kids birthday party ideas in recognition of Earth Day this year (April 22). Now many of you may be wondering if there are fun ways to be sustainable while preparing for a kids birthday party. Well, the video below indicates the answer can be yes.

The video below provides a few kids birthday party ideas that do not take a lot of time or money to implement. As a matter of fact some of their ideas presented here actually show you ways to use simple items around your house, many of which you’ve probably been thinking of getting rid of anyways, and turn them into usable birthday party ideas.

And while the kids are having fun our planet will thank you. And we only have one planet to live on so let’s make sure we treat it as such.

 

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Birthday Party Ideas for Thirteen Year Olds – And Other Things They Won’t Think Are “Lame”

three girls sleeping on the floor at a slumber party

Photo courtesy of oregongirl! on flickr

It seems like just yesterday your little darling was skipping rope and playing with her Barbie dolls. And then all of sudden, when you weren’t looking, she went and grew up on you. And along with that comes all of the changes, the good, the bad and the scary!

And now that she’s making that transition from “tween” to “teen”, you want to mark the special occasion with a party. But she’s no longer a little girl and the decision of what kind of party to throw will be a tougher choice for her to make than Edward or Jacob.

Birthday Party Ideas for Thirteen Year Olds – Back to Basics

Regardless of the theme you eventually decide on, most of the basics remain the same. You will have food, invitations, decor, venue, entertainment and so much to decide on. Of course much of that will fall into place once you choose the theme.

One thing that never changes is the need to set a budget. No matter how important or momentous an occasion (birthday, wedding, housewarming) it’s never a good reason to break the bank. Keeping up with the Jones just isn’t worth it. Decide on a budget that works for you and make sure you stick to it. Nothing puts a damper on things like having to worry about how to pay for it.

Birthday Party Ideas for Thirteen Year Olds – A Few Good Ideas…Teen Recommended

So I sat down with my 12 and 13 year old nieces and asked them what they liked to do when going to birthday parties. Here are a few of their faves!

Twilight Party – Or insert your soon-to-be-teen’s favorite movie or book. Twilight has been pretty hot these last few years so the girls have both been to a couple of Twilight themed parties and loved them. Not only did they watch their favorite scenes from the movie, but they listened to the sound tracks (over and over and over again). And at each party they had makeup, plastic fangs and other gear available for any party goers. One party had t-shirts and paint so everyone could create a “Team Edward” or “Team Jacob” t-shirt. Food and decor can easily be geared to the theme with a little help from your resident Twilight junkie.

Spa and Sleepover Party– It doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavor! If you don’t want to bring the girls out to an actual spa for mani’s and pedi’s do it at home! Go to your dollar store and grab everything you need for an at-home spa. Not only will the guests have a great time, but it won’t break the bank. If you do prefer going out keep an eye on group buy and discount sites like Groupon. There are some great deals to be had and many of them allow multiple buys.

Dance Party – Some kids are ready for the girl/boy party before others. So if your newly minted teen wants to have a dance party don’t panic! Load your iPod with a few different play lists, dust off the strobe light and clear your basement. With a few decorations and nibbly type foods you’re off to a great start.

Talk to the birthday girl and see how she wants to celebrate. With a little research and some creativity the perfect party is just around the corner!

 

 

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Everything You Wanted to Know about 75th Birthday Party Ideas but Were Afraid to Ask

Are you looking for 75th birthday party ideas? Well if you’ve begun your search then you know that the person in your life that’s turning 75 this year was born in the year 1937. To say that that person has seen a lot of changes in their life is probably an understatement. If you been reading any of my birthday party idea blogs then you know that I tend to look at the history and, in particular, milestones that have happened over the person’s lifespan – as well as focusing on the year that the birthday boy or girl was born.

75th Birthday Party Ideas Centered around the Birth Year 1937

Here’s a little walk down memory lane, as it were, regarding how much things cost us in 1937 (courtesy of thepeoplehistory.com):

  • average house cost $4100
  • an average wage in 1937 was $1780
  • a gallon of gas cost $.10
  • the average price for a new car was $760
  • unemployment was at 14.3% (and that was good news for that year as it had dropped almost 7% from the previous year)

Additional Events from 1937:

  • that was the year we heard the famous words “oh the humanity! The humanity”. I’m sure you don’t need a reminder that those words were the result of the Hindenburg explosion
  • the disappearance of Amelia Earhart
  • former King Edward VIII marries Wallis Simpson
  • King George VI is crowned King of England
  • the Golden gate Bridge in San Francisco is opened

Popular Songs Released in 1937:

  • Sing Sing Sing by Benny Goodman
  • one o’clock jump by Count Basie
  • they can’t take that away from me by Fred Astaire
  • I’ve got my love to keep me warm by Billie holiday
  • remember me by Bing Crosby

Popular Films Released in 1937:

  • Snow White and the seven dwarfs
  • conquest

So for 75th birthday party ideas what I tend to do is look at what occurred during the year that the 75-year-old was born (in this case 1937). As you can see from the lists above there is certainly no shortage of events to choose from. My recommendation is to match something that occurred (i.e. movies song or major event) and tie that into the personality type of the birthday boy or girl. From there you’ll start to develop your theme and you will be amazed at how your planning will begin to unfold. The take away message from this is to have fun and more importantly to make sure that the event is something that the birthday person would find fun themselves.

 

 

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Ideas for Birthday Parties

old fashioned picture of kids celebrating a birthday

Photo courtesy of StaunchThrowback on flickr

As each year passes, birthday parties and birthday party planning seems to get more and more extravagant and detail oriented. Once a year for each child, we’re scratching our heads, trying to come up with and plan the most special and unique birthday celebration of all. As I have been informed sometimes the basic, no frills party really just doesn’t fit the bill and won’t do. Or at least that’s what my sister said when she was attempting to come up with some simpler yet elaborate ideas to execute a grand birthday celebration for her twins. As always, there is lots to consider when looking to party plan; to theme or not to theme, home party or at a fun location, date and time, store bought decorations or homemade, entertainment or not, and which activities to include.

Ideas for Birthday Parties – Let’s Get The Party Planning Started!

So are you one of those parents that thrives on coming up with the most fun and unforgettable ideas that will not only please your special guest of honor but will amaze the invited guests as well? If that was a resounding yes I heard, then maybe some of these ideas will help get you on the road to planning. Birthday party planning that is!

Zoo Birthday Party – A perfect opportunity to bring some adventure into your child’s next birthday party. Your party guests will have the rare chance to meet and see the animals close up! An adventure awaits that will be loved by every boy and girl alike.

Sleepover Party – Who doesn’t have wonderful memories of sleepover parties from back in the day? Sleepover parties are a ton of fun and will create wonderful experiences and memories for the birthday child and their friends. The laughter will never end.

Tea Party – No matter the age, girls love tea parties. What young lady doesn’t want to put on their finest, use their special manners while feeling quite regal? Take this picture perfect opportunity to please your royal guests by throwing a tea birthday party.

American Idol Party – Every season, million and millions of us try and figure out who will be the next American Idol. We all seem to love the contestants, the judges and want to know now who will be victorious in the end. This is the ideal party to source out all the aspiring Idols.

Hawaiian Luau Party – Aloha! Bring Hawaii home for an afternoon of limbo fun. The Hawaiian Luau is one of the more popular and enjoyable birthday party themes around, filled with a bit of exotic fun for kids of all ages. So have your guests throw on their Hawaiian beach gear and flip flops and get ready for some hula birthday excitement.

Science Museum – Science is fun and this is the perfect opportunity to prove it to your young ones and all their friends. For kids age six and up this is a great chance for them to experience the importance of science and the fun and thrills that come along with throwing a science birthday party.

So step outside your comfort zone and tackle something new when birthday party planning. Let your fingers do the walking online and you will be sure to find an abundance of supplies and help to get you planning that out of the ordinary celebration. You will enjoy the planning and your young guest of honor and invited guests will have a blast!

 

 

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Ideas for Kid’s Birthday Parties – The School Party

crown wearing birthday boy celebrating

Photo courtesy of CazaTo Ma

Most parents look forward to planning our kids’ birthday parties. Fun, food and frivolity abounds! And, as stated on this blog numerous times, there are no shortage of party themes and ideas. The sky is the limit for our lil’ darlings!

But one party that we haven’t previously discussed is the school birthday party. Usually a brief celebration, it allows your child to share their birthday with all of their classmates. It’s generally a short celebration (15 to 30 minutes) and seen as more of a break in the day rather than an actual party.

Many schools allow parents to bring in some treats to celebrate the birthday. But what is the best way of planning the school birthday without stepping on toes or going overboard?

Ideas for Kid’s Birthday Parties – How to Plan a School Party

The beauty of a school party is that the entire class gets to join in the celebration. This alleviates some pressure on parents to include the entire class in the actual birthday party, but allows your child to celebrate and network with their classmates. And a birthday celebration allows the kids a little break in the mundane day to day-ness that is school.

Ideas for Kid’s Birthday Parties – First Things First

Before even considering planning a school party for your child you need to check with the teacher to ensure that they are allowed, and if so, what kind of restrictions are there.

Once it has been determined that you can include your child’s classmates in the celebration, you can start planning! Although fairly obvious, it’s safe to say that any school party needs to be kept very simple. It cannot be a huge blowout or all future parties will be cancelled. Be sure to follow the rules so you don’t ruin it for the other birthday boys and girls.

If you’re unsure of how to proceed, be sure to check out classroom-teacher-resources.com, a web site for teachers. Although geared to teachers, they have some great suggestions to help plan your child’s school birthday celebration.

Ideas for Kid’s Birthday Parties – Food

Like any party, food is always important. But at a school party there are far more restrictions than your home party. Allergies must be considered. Most schools have food policies in place so be sure to stick to them! Nothing kills a party like teacher (rightfully) sending the treats home unopened. And check out if cupcakes (much easier than cake) are allowed. Your child’s school may have a healthy food only policy in place.

One mom blogger suggests that parents bring plates and utensils (most classes don’t have them) and remain to help clean up. Nothing puts a damper on things for the teacher like leaving cleanup. With 30 odd students, that can get old real fast!

Ideas for Kid’s Birthday Parties – Party Favors

Again, be sure to check with the school to see if party favors are allowed. If they are, keep it simple!! Generally one item per child is sufficient with stickers, pencils and dollar store toys at the top of the list. You should never, ever, do loot bags for school birthday parties. Not only are they a huge distraction for the kids, but it sets a dangerous precedent for future parties.

A school birthday party is intended to help your child celebrate their special day with their classmates, but should not take the place of their “real” birthday party. If you check out the rules set in place by the school and plan accordingly, your child’s school birthday party will make them the hit of the classroom!

 

 

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First Birthday Party Ideas – It’s All About the First!

blue star with happy 1st birthday

Photo courtesy of orcmid

When it comes to party planning and first birthday party ideas it really is all about the first!

There’s one thing I know for sure, the first birthday party of any boy or girl is a special one. And as parents we want to ensure the party is equally as special. But until you are knee deep in the actual birthday party planning, you don’t realize all that truly goes into the organizing and preparation of that special day. Or in fact the real significance, for everyone, of that very first birthday.

As parents, we really do feel that unspoken pressure to throw the most amazing, and yes extravagant, never to be forgotten celebration. Having said that, I guarantee the guest of honor will not remember this wonderfully special day…ever. So no matter what you tell yourself, the party is really for the adults and not the little one celebrating.

Before you get started, remember that birthday parties can add up and become extremely expensive. So before you break the bank, take a minute and think it through. Consider the real reasons for the party, what’s important to you as the host and what you want to include.

First Birthday Party Ideas – How To Get started!

I think we can all agree, baby only has a first birthday once and of course you want to plan the most incredible day possible. When party planning, we here at plananevent.org are definitely proponents of having a party plan as well as a party checklist. Once you have decided on the date and time, location, theme (or no theme), it’s time to create your party plan and checklist. Be sure to include everything you will need to throw that fabulous and economical shindig and then put it to play.

First Birthday Party Ideas – Help Is Here!

Don’t fear, there is lots of great help out there to assist. The internet is like the assistant you never knew you had. To get you started, we have done a bit of the leg work and checked out a couple of first birthday party websites available.

Celebrations.com – Founded by Jim McCann (who also created 1-800-Flowers.com) with the goal to assist people with connecting with others as well as expressing themselves. If you’re looking for all things party planning, be sure to visit this website. Celebrations.com is the leading resource in the party planning world. They provide skilled and knowledgeable advice as well as party tools and supplies and loads of great ideas for your next party. So when looking for party help drop by and get inspired!

Wild-child-birthday-parties.com – Was founded by Suzanne Gorham, a blissfully married mom of three exceptional daughters. Suzanne’s expertise was in the corporate event planning industry, but after throwing numerous successful parties and after continually being asked “how do you do it” decided to share her insight by starting Wild-child-birthday-parties.com. The website will help you design the best birthday party experience possible and is filed with concepts, ideas and resources and so much more!

There are lots of great first birthday party ideas out there to help. So jump right in by deciding the kind of party you want to throw for your little one. Let those fingers do the walking and start making some party plans.

 

 

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Birthday Party Favor Ideas – Party Favors and Thank You…

Photo courtesy of Lynn Friedman on flickr

It doesn’t matter your age or gender, birthday parties are meant to be filled with fun, happiness and good times all around. Birthday party favors (and loot bags) are small, modest gifts handed out to the birthday party guests as a “thank you” for attending the party. They can be given during the party but are most often handed out as a guest leaves the party. They not only serve as a remembrance of the fete and the fun times had by all, but they also make your guest feel special.

Don’t just fill in space by jumping at the easiest and cheapest items available. Take a minute and put some thought into the likes (and dislikes) of the party guests. Think back to when you were a kid and how exciting it was to receive that extra special party favor or loot bag. It didn’t matter how much fun you were having, you just couldn’t wait to leave the party to see which favors were in that loot bag. There are as many party favor ideas as there are party themes. You can easily put together a unique, useful and oh so fun favor or loot bag (that won’t drive parents crazy) without breaking the bank.

Birthday Party Favor Ideas – Be Smart When it Comes to Party Favors

A party favor/loot bag can literally make or break a shindig and long after the party has ended is a terrific way to keep the kids entertained. Some of kids most favorite loot bags are the more unique and unusual ones. Don’t follow the same old routine, a quick visit to the dollar store to load up on all that plastic stuff. Think outside of the box and be creative. Party favors come in all shapes, sizes and price points. So don’t let budget concerns hold you back.

Birthday Party Favor Ideas – Crafts, Candy & Toys Oh MY!

Here are some really fun party favor/loot bag ideas to get you started.

Incorporate a craft into the party where you engage and entertain your guests, while at the same time they actually make an item or two found in the loot bag. Making a picture frame with Popsicle sticks or decorating some low cost picture frames will keep all of those budding designers happy and engaged. Be sure to take a picture of the guests that they can put in the frame (you can forward it either through email or snail mail at a later date).

Always a favorite is door hanger designing. Have paper door hangers available along with colored pencils, stickers and all the decorating fixings. The kids won’t be able to wait to get home display their final masterpiece! You can do the same with pencils or a multitude of other items, just replace the door hanger with pencils or another item and have the kids decorate away.

Another fun idea is to purchase some fabric paint and inexpensive t-shirts and let them go crazy and decorate their own shirt. One mother went as far as to have each party guest autograph the shirts and then everyone attending left with a special and personal favor.

My personal and most favorite favor, and part of the loot bag experience, is all about the candy, candy, candy. And did I mention the candy? There are so many ways to go with this. You can easily purchase a great variety of candy and chocolate and include it in the loot bag hall. Or buy small bags, boxes or containers and load up with an assortment of yummy sweets. Don’t forget about the mini (plastic) gumball machines, always a hit with kids of all ages. With a little time and leg work you can personalize and customize all sorts of candy and chocolate. Enhance the party theme or feature the party boy or girl by tailoring Hershey bars, M&M, lollipops, gum, lifesavers and more. Commemorate that very special day with some very special treats! I promise you there is no kid (of any age) that wouldn’t be happy to receive a candy enhanced loot bag.

Or take a step towards a stress free birthday party planning experience. Where does it say that party favors and loot bags have to be costly, extravagant and elaborate? There is a huge selection of enjoyable and nifty party favor toys and games available. Themed, customized or not, brand name or no name, they are all there for the picking. Look for things that are less expensive, practical, useable and will last a long time. Keep in mind the age range and interests of your party guests and you will find there are so many great ideas out there. From cartoon and TV characters toDisney products to classic party favors including silly putty, yo-yos, play dough, small sports balls or super balls, they’re all enjoyable party favors and the list is literally endless.

Though not required, party favors are a special way to say thank you to a guest for attending your party celebration. There are lots of great, surprising and affordable birthday party favor ideas available. Get out to the party stores or let your fingers do the walking to find the right items for your loot bags. Not only will you be happy you did, the birthday kid and the guests will be too.

 

 

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Birthday Party Themes – Thinking Outside the Box

Photo courtesy of Liz Henry on flickr

I remember when I was in grade school looking forward to birthday parties. Not just my own but also my friends’ parties. Whether it was bowling party, sleep over or a simple house party, they were (and still are) the epicenter of a grade schooler’s social life.

Today, kid’s birthday parties have exploded and many are on steroids compared to the parties of our childhood. There’s even a show on TLC about opulent, over the top, birthday parties for kids. But don’t despair parents everywhere! You don’t have to drop $25,000 (yup, that’s 25 grand) to make your child’s party stand out. All it takes is a little creativity and the ability to think outside the box.

Birthday Party Themes – How to Choose What’s Right

The most important thing to remember is the party is about celebrating your child’s birthday. Not about impressing your friends and neighbors. Not about making a big splash. It should be all about your child. And if you remember that little tip, you’re already a step ahead.

The first thing to decide on is birthday party  themes. Talk to the birthday boy (or girl). What do they like? Are they mad about cowboys and Indians? Have they watched the movie Cars about 3,000 times? Whether it’s a movie, a book or even an activity, you can turn almost anything into a theme party.

Birthday Party Themes – Don’t Be Afraid to Try Something Different!!

How many times has your daughter been to a Princess Party? They’re fun and the kids love them, but ever other six year old girl has a Princess Party. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and try something different. You can turn anything into a theme. Just use your imagination.

Apple Picking Party– Obviously this one is dependent on the time of year.

But the advantages are fantastic. It’s outside, which will minimize the mess at your house. The kids are kept physically busy which leaves them tired at the end of the day (and what parent doesn’t love that). You can have it at the local orchard and some locations will allow a picnic lunch or even work with you to supply a simple BBQ.

An Off-Season Party – Don’t get caught up in thinking that Christmas is only in December or a Beach has to be in the summer. A summer themed Christmas Birthday party or a Birthday Beach Party in January can be a lot of fun. Decorating the backyard with your x-mas decorations and a little bit of fake snow can create a fun and different atmosphere. Or you can create a summer theme (in the winter) with pictures, shovels and pails and some themed games. Kids love something different and with a little bit creativity you can create a theme that goes completely against the current season.

Paris Party – Paris, London, New York. Any fabulous city will do! You can decorate according to the city, plan the menu around it and even tailor games to your themed city. The possibilities are literally endless and, heaven forbid, the kids may actually learn something.

A little creativity can go a long way when planning birthday party themes. Don’t be afraid to try something new and have your child be the trend setter in their group!!

 

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Kids Party Planning – What’s Musically Hot!

Photo courtesy of Staunch Throwback on flickr

Trying to come up with something new and hot? Something on trend when kids party planning for that next shindig?! Do you get off on being a leader and not a follower? Do you love TV? If you answered yes to these questions, then now is the time for you!

TV is out there and whether we like it or not, it affects the way we think and plan. There are a ton of new and exciting things on the horizon which means there are some hot and new party themes out there just itching to be repeated.

Planning a kid’s birthday party usually has the same format, regardless of the theme. Invitations, location, games, food, loot bags (loot bags!!) and most importantly, fun! Be the first to tackle a couple of these new, musical, hot and fun party theme ideas.

Kids Party Planning – Glee

If you were to ask a group of teens about the hit show Glee, you’ll get an overwhelming response! Glee is one of the most popular programs to hit our television screens. It’s enjoyed by kids, teens and adults alike. Because of this, and more, there is so much to pull from to create the perfect “Glee” theme party.

For all those GLEEKS out there, start your theming with the invitations. Encourage your guests to arrive in a costume based on their favorite character from the show. Thankfully, the show has several different characters and fashion making it easy and wallet friendly for a party guest to put a costume together.

For party games karaoke is a must! If you’re a viewer (and isn’t everyone) it will be easy to preselect songs. If not, just use good old Google. To include other games, just think back to your high school days or ask the kid you are planning the party for. They will help choose some other games like “Create your own cheer”, “Glee trivia” and “Guess the Glee quote”. You are now on your way to a gleeful amount of fun!

Take the party location and decorate it like the halls of McKinley Hall or any high school in general. We all remember high school, don’t we? It wasn’t that long ago so just think back!

Now the best part – the food! One glance at the show will help you come up with some great items. Think Slurpee, fun cafeteria food and themed cupcakes to name a few. Before you know it, Sue Sylvester will be bossing everyone around!

Kids Party Planning – American Idol

Another really hot and popular party theme is American Idol. This past year the television show had a renewed surge in popularity. That translated in an increase on the pop culture meter for all things American Idol.
Once again, start your theming with the invitations. Urge your guests to come in “contestant” costume. Again, an easy and economical task and be sure to let the guests know this is a just for enjoyment party, so no one feels any pressure.

For a party game (for this theme you probably only need one), the theme says it all. Again a karaoke machine is an absolute must. You can hold auditions but if time is a factor go right into the singing completion.

For an American Idol theme, decorations will be key to set the tone. A stage or stage like area is essential as the theme is a singing competition. Some other items to consider are a red carpet, lots of sparkly, glittery banners and balloons. And judges are key to the success of the party, so be sure to have three “adult” like judges to either portray Simon, Randy and Paula or Randy, Steven and Jennifer, depending on the season. And start singing your way to fun!

An American Idol menu is easy. Think convenient, portable and fun food. There is a great assortment of finger foods out there that kids just love and pizza is always a favorite!

There are lots of great kid’s party themes out there. The hardest decision is which theme to go with. Just do some research and talk to your kid. There are lots of ways to plan the party without breaking the bank. So have fun! You’re well on your way to being number one to your child!

 

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