Fun Themes for a Tween Birthday Bash

Make Your Tween's Birthday Party a Bash to Remember

Children Blowing Out Candles on a Birthday Cake

Rich Legg / Vetta / Getty Images

Getting ready to throw a tween birthday party? Need an idea or two for a fun tween birthday theme? It's easy to coordinate a tween birthday when you have a theme to work around. Your theme can help determine decorations, activities, the birthday cake, and even the goody bags you'll send home to all of the party guests. Pick a theme that appeals to your tween or their passions and hobbies. Or, pick a theme just because it sounds like a lot of fun for the preteen crowd. (Be sure your tween has input on the party theme before you invest time or money on the event.)

Once you have a theme in mind, coordinate your invitations, food, games, and goody bags with the theme, and enjoy as your tween birthday bash makes a hit with your child and their preteen guests.

Tween Birthday Party Ideas for Girls

  • American Idol Party
  • Beading Party
  • Spa Party
  • Fashion Fun Party
  • Sock-Hop Party
  • Stuffed Animal Party
  • Pool Party
  • Arts and Crafts Party
  • Cooking or Baking Party
  • America's Top Model Party
  • Limo Party
  • Solve a Mystery Party
  • Scavenger Hunt Party
  • Tropical Party
  • Music Party
  • Movie Night Party
  • Disco Party
  • Slumber Party
  • Shopping Mall Party
  • Fashion Designer Party
  • Dance Party
  • Beach Cabana Party
  • Masquerade Party
  • American Girl Party
  • Cooking Party
  • Horseback Riding Party

Tween Birthday Party Ideas for Boys

  • Glow-in-the-Dark Party
  • Sports-themed Party
  • Martial Arts Party
  • Beach Fun Party
  • Surfer Party
  • Olympics Party
  • Skateboard Party
  • NASCAR Party
  • Outdoor or Camping Party
  • Limo Party
  • Solve a Mystery Party
  • Scavenger Hunt Party
  • Music Party
  • Movie Night Party
  • Casino Night Party
  • Camouflage Party
  • Survivor Party
  • Pool Party
  • Magic Party
  • Costume Party

Obviously you and your tween don't have to limit yourself to one list or theme. If your daughter wants to have a casino-themed slumber party or your son wants to have a glow-in-the-dark disco night, they are absolutely free to do so.

Other Fun Tween Party Themes

  • Field Trip Party — Gather your tween and their friends together and take a field trip to a local destination, historical home, or museum. You can even allow the party guests to visit the gift shop and pick something to take home as part of their goody bag. 
  • Restaurant Party — Visit your tween's favorite restaurant and ask if you can have a behind-the-scenes tour of the establishment. Be sure you call ahead to see what arrangements might be available to your party. 
  • Visit the Y — Your local YMCA may offer party planning packages that include using the Y facilities, a party room, and organized sports activities. These packages may only be available to Y members. 
  • Stay at Home — Sometimes the best parties are the simplest. Plan a party at home and get your tween involved in decorating, preparing food, and figuring out fun activities to do with their friends. Skip the theme altogether and just have old-fashioned fun. 

By Jennifer O'Donnell
Jennifer O'Donnell holds a BA in English and has training in specific areas regarding tweens, covering parenting for over 8 years.