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These creative 13th birthday party ideas are all worthy of your newly minted teenager – read on to spark inspiration for themes, fun activities and unique food!
Turning thirteen is a huge milestone in any child’s life – marking the end of their tween years, and automatically turning them into a full-blown teenager. And for such a momentous occasion, their 13th birthday party should be one for the memory books.
To elevate some of the pressure of coming up with an epic teenage-worthy party, we’ve pulled together some of the most unique 13th birthday party ideas that your new teen will surely approve.
Whether they’re looking to throw a huge bash with a long guest list, or would prefer a smaller get-together with just their closest friends, these 13th birthday party ideas will provide plenty of inspiration for their special celebration.
Scroll through these ideas with your new teenager so you can join forces to create a 13th birthday party that reflects their interests, personality and overall “vibe” they’re looking for.
From 13th birthday party themes, to fun activities and food (Milkshake Bar anyone?!), you’ll be sure to find plenty of ideas to spark your creative juices, ultimately making planning a breeze.
Pin for when you need the best 13th birthday party ideas!
13TH BIRTHDAY PARTY THEMES
Gone are the days when you can rely on your child’s favorite TV characters to guide your birthday party theme. But having an overarching theme is still a great way to provide a cohesive feel to your party. It can help guide everything, from decorations and activities, to games and party favors.
To help you find the perfect one, we’ve rounded up some of the most unique 13th birthday party themes, and included plenty of photos for added inspiration. All of them have a more grown-up feel and received the thumbs up from our panel of teenagers.
No matter which one you end up selecting, having a singular focus for your 13-year-old’s special day will make your party really shine. Keep scrolling to see them all!
13TH BIRTHDAY THEMES WITH “TEEN”, “TEENAGER” OR 13
We love these themes for a 13th birthday because they all highlight how special their 13th year is as they turn from a tween into a teen. It’s the only time they’ll have this new “label”, so why not shout it loud and proud!
1. Vibin’ Thrivin’ & Thirteen
Create a groovy boho vibe with a muted, neutral color scheme, fresh flowers, and bohemian inspired details like feathers, fringe and dream-catchers. A low table with pillows fits the theme perfectly, and allows you and your friends to gather for food and conversation.
2. Official Teenager
It doesn’t get more to the point than this! Turning 13 means you’re an official teenager, so shout it from the rooftops, and include it in your décor with a fun sign, wear it on a T-shirt, and display it on your cake.
3. From Tween to Teen / OMG, he’s 13! / OMG UR A TEENAGER
Celebrate the transition from Tween to Teen with some fun teenage abbreviations – the OMG UR A TEENAGER balloons will speak their language while marking this momentous occasion.
4. Teen Queen / The Queen is 13
For those teenage girls that want to be crowned queen for the day, use plenty of crown motifs, metallics and bling!
5. Teenage Dream / A Teen’s Dream
Take inspiration from Katy’s Perry hit song, “Teenage Dream”, and decorate with all the colors of the rainbow. Or bring together all of your newly minted teen’s favorite things to create their very own dream world.
6. HBD #13
Highlight your teen’s texting “language” with this “Happy Birthday” abbreviation, or speak to their social media savviness with hashtag #13. Couple these with their favorite colors for a party that’s personalized and right on trend.
7. Lucky #13
Number 13 often gets a bad rap, so why not flip that superstition on its head while celebrating all your teen’s blessings with a “Lucky #13” theme. Decorate with 4-leaf clovers, rainbows, and horseshoes with a fun green and gold color scheme.
13TH BIRTHDAY PARTY THEMES FOR GIRLS
If your soon-to-be 13-year-old daughter gravitates towards all things fashion, pink, florals or girl power, have them browse through these creative 13th birthday themes for girls (but of course don’t let that stop your son from using them too!)
8. Suite Dreams 13
Take your sleepover to the next level by booking a hotel suite for you and a small group of friends. Keep it local or head to your nearest big city for a fun night out. Make sure you take advantage of all the hotel perks – swim in the pool, get a spa treatment and order breakfast in bed! Custom pillowcases or robes are a cute and useful party favor.
9. Fashion Swap / Fashion Show
This unique fashion swap/show 13th birthday party idea is perfect for any budding fashionista. There are several different ways you could structure it, including:
10. Floral / Spring Garden / Backyard Picnic
Transport guests into a beautiful spring garden with fresh flowers, pastel colors, and chic picnic set-up. We love the idea of having a “Flower Bar” where guests can make their own bouquets in a small vase and take it home as a party favor.
11. Who Run the World…Girls! / Girl Power
Invite your Girl Gang to the ultimate birthday party of female empowerment. It’s the perfect way to celebrate entering into a stage of more independence, but also can strengthen the bonds with their girlfriends.
12. Mean Girls
Guests will think this 13th birthday party theme that pays homage to the teen-classic, Means Girls, is “so fetch”. Incorporate all of the iconic quotes into your decor, and create a cozy place to watch the movie where your friends CAN sit with you!
13. Disco Cowgirl / “Let’s Go Girls” / “Boots and Bling”
How fun is this 13th birthday party theme where sequins and cowboy boots collide?! The juxtaposition of the bling with the laid-back country vibe will make for an epic celebration. Ask guests to dress for the occasion, or provide cowgirl hats upon arrival.
14. Barbie Party
If your teen still has a soft-spot for the iconic dolls, turn them into a life-sized version with this fun Barbie themed party with teenage flair.
15. Spa Party
Treat your guests to a spa-themed party where you supply everything needed for facials (sheet masks are super easy!), manicures and pedicures. You could even incorporate a makeover station, or make your own sugar scrub or bath bomb to take home as a party favor.
16. Pajama Party /Sleepover Slumber Party
Invite your best friends over for a slumber party where guests arrive in their pajamas – definitely one of the most popular 13th birthday party ideas!
We’ve got hundreds of sleepover party ideas including crafts, favors, party games and food creations over at our popular post: 100+ Fun Things To Do At a Sleepover. Check it out, and try to get a little shuteye!
17. Mod Tutti Frutti
Make a colorful statement and celebrate entering into the teenage years with a modern take on the “Tutti Frutti” theme. Incorporate fruits with bold colors for a playful feel that just screams happy!
18. 70s Disco / Floral Disco / Roller Disco Derby “Just Roll With It”
Get groovy with a retro disco-themed party with or without the roller skates! Decorate with metallics, neon colors and as many disco balls as you can find. Then turn on the tunes and have a dance party!
13TH BIRTHDAY PARTY THEMES FOR BOYS OR GIRLS
We’ll gathered even more 13th birthday party ideas, and this time, these themes are gender neutral – so they’ll work equally well for your teenage son or daughter. They’re bound to find the one that best fits their personality with this list of unique themes.
19. S’nores & S’mores
Amp up a backyard campout with this fun “S’nores and S’mores” theme. Ask your friends to bring their sleeping bags and pillows, or go all-out and hire a company that specializes in “glamping” for a much cushier experience. Either way, make sure to have a small fire pit or table top flame to make and enjoy some yummy s’mores.
20. Indoor Movie Night
Make your movie night one worthy of turning 13 with fun decorations (your teen’s name in lights!), and a concession stand stocked with popcorn, candy and soda. And if movies aren’t your thing, binge watch a Netflix series instead!
21. Outdoor Movie Night
Alternatively, take your movie night outside for an epic night under the stars. Set-up a screen/projector and create a lounge zone with lots of cozy blankets and pillows, then snuggle up with your besties while you watch the movie of your choice. A “charcuterie” board full of snacks, candy and popcorn is perfect for a small group to graze, or provide a concession table for refills.
22. Favorite Things
One of the most unique 13th birthday party ideas channels Oprah’s famous “Favorite Things” list. You can structure the party a few different ways, including:
23. Emoji
Celebrate with the fun little icons your 13-year-old uses to communicate their emotions online – emojis! From heart-eyes to poop(!), have them pick their favorites to display on the decorations and treats.
24. Glow-in-the-Dark / Neon
Turn out the lights for one of our favorite 13th birthday party ideas: a glow-in-the-dark party! Ask your guests to come dressed in neon clothing or set-up a “Glow Bar” where they can choose some fun glow-in-the-dark accessories to wear. Decorate with glow sticks, fluorescent colors and place a few black lights around your party area to make everything glow!
25. Color Party
Greet your guests with a white t-shirt, socks and a pair of inexpensive sunglasses to don for the main event: a colored powder throwing party! Order a rainbow of different colored powder, head outside, and then let the kids go wild tossing the powder into the air and at each other. While it certainly creates a mess, the memories are well worth it. Make sure to take a group photo before and after the event!
26. Sneaker Ball / Nike Bash
We love the idea of throwing a “Sneaker Ball” where kids come dressed up, but must wear sneakers – the best combination of glam and comfort! Or simply celebrate the love your teen has of Nike (or sneakers in general) by integrating them into the decorations and desserts.
27. Retro Surf / Surf’s Up
For all the surf loving dudes and dudettes, this retro themed surfing party will be right up their wave. Create a custom surfboard design station, fun wave-themed treats, and bonus points for hosting on the beach where they can actually hang ten with their friends.
28. Flashback to the 80’s / 90’s
Invite your guests to travel back in time to your decade of choice and celebrate with all the coolest fads from that era. Embrace the nostalgia by dressing the part (scrunchies, neon or acid wash jeans anyone?!), blast music from the timeframe, and play games like Pacman or MASH!
29. Frappy Birthday
For teens who are Starbucks crazy, this “Frappy Birthday” party is perfection! Whether you take a small group to Starbucks to order their favorite drinks, or create an at-home coffee/smoothie bar experience, teens absolutely love this party idea. And yes, we recommend going with decaf!
30. TikTok
If your 13-year-old knows all the latest TikTok dances and challenges, incorporate the teen-favorite app into their party theme with the TikTok logo and a black, pink and aqua color scheme. Play trending music during the gathering and you could even have guests learn a dance or try the latest challenge.
31. YouTube
If YouTube is more your child’s jam, use a black, white and red color scheme, and make them the star of their very own 13th birthday “channel”.
32. Sports
Got a sports enthusiast as your birthday boy or girl? Host a party centered around their sport(s) of choice! We love that this idea can be easily customized, and your child doesn’t even have to play a sport – create a theme around their favorite professional sports team instead!
33. Pool Party
If you’re lucky enough to have a pool in your backyard and a warm-weather birthday, a pool party is a must! Instruct your friends to bring their bathing suits and towels and enjoy a day of lounging in the sun and splashing in the water. Have plenty of fun pool floats on hand, a stocked drink cooler, and serve up some yummy frozen treats. Just don’t forget to provide sunscreen!
34. Fresh Prince / Princess
Invite your friends to “chill out” at a Fresh Prince (or Princess!) party, complete with all the old school 90’s flair: boom boxes, chains and neon colors!
35. Beach Picnic
Have a beach close by? Take full advantage of your location by hosting your new teenager’s thirteenth birthday celebration with a fun day in the sun and picnic on the sand. Keep it relaxed with a few blankets and brought-from-home food spread, or go all-out and hire an event company to create an epic set-up with low tables, umbrellas, and comfy seating.
36. “Level 13” Video Game Tournament / Truck
Power up to Level 13 by creating a gaming inspired party where your teen can play all their favorite video games head-to-head with their friends. Create your own at-home tournament, or rent a Video Game Truck that will allow your birthday crew to test new games and gaming systems…and will get them out of the house!
37. “Take 13” / Hollywood / Red Carpet
Roll out the red carpet and create a star-studded premiere for your VIP guests. Serve a buffet of teen-friendly finger foods and fun fizzy mocktails, watch a movie, or simply dance and sing the night away.
38. Scavenger Hunt
Make a fun scavenger hunt the main event of your 13th birthday party with these fun ideas:
39. Teen Cuisine / Cooking Party
Host a cooking-themed party where you give guests a variety of ingredients to prepare a simple meal (perhaps their own dinner?!), or make it a Chopped-like challenge. You could even take an online class together or simply follow along with a YouTube tutorial.
40. Pizza Party
Provide guests with fresh dough and set-up a fun station with all the toppings – from sauce and cheese to prosciutto and fresh herbs. Cook the pizzas and dinner is served!
41. Cupcake / Cake / Cookie Decorating
To add a fun activity to your 13th birthday gathering, enlist your guests to make their own dessert with a cupcake, cake or cookie decorating station. They’ll have a blast experimenting with different frostings, fillings and toppings. Your guests are guaranteed to leave happy!
MORE 13TH BIRTHDAY PARTY IDEAS TO CONSIDER
Want even more fun 13th birthday party ideas? First, we highly suggest popping over to Epic Sweet 16 Party Ideas, as many of the themes we highlighted can easily be used for 13 year olds as well.
Or consider incorporating one of these fun themes into your celebration:
And whatever theme you decide upon, consider adding a Selfie Station or Photo Booth so your birthday boy or girl can document their big day the best way they know how: with some epic selfies!
13TH BIRTHDAY PARTY IDEAS – FUN FOOD
Forget boring hot dogs and plain burgers, add an extra special touch to your at-home 13th birthday party by incorporating one of these incredible food spreads or help-yourself “bars”:
For more birthday party food ideas, head to our popular post: Kids Birthday Party Food Ideas For An Epic Celebration!
13TH BIRTHDAY PARTY IDEAS – PLACES TO GO /
PARTY VENUES
If the idea of throwing a 13th birthday party at your home doesn’t float your boat, we’ve pulled together a list of venues or activities you could consider instead:
13TH BIRTHDAY PARTY IDEAS – GAMES TO PLAY
Need some ideas for outdoor party games for kids and teens ? From classic, to totally unique, we’ve pulled together a massive list of the most fun outdoor party games that are guaranteed to entertain.
You’ll be spoilt for choice from our list which covers every type of outdoor game – from those classic favorites (think 3-legged race and tug of war), to innovative new activities (check out “Pantyhose Bowling”!) and plenty of water game ideas too!
Turning 13 is a huge milestone, and a really big deal! We hope that list of 13th birthday party ideas has helped the birthday girl or boy decide on exactly what they envision for their big day. Happy Birthday!
We suggest checking out more of our birthday content to add even more special touches:
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