Different Kinds of Parties for Teens & What You Do There

Birthday Parties

• Birthday parties are extra special during the teenage years, because of the important milestones to celebrate. When a child turns 13, she's officially a teenager. Many kids turning 13 opt for a party that forgoes the kiddie games in favor of simple hangout time with friends. Sweet 16 parties can be laid back or formal and be held at reception centers or rented halls, where kids dance the night away to a DJ. Like most other birthday parties, surprise parties often have music to dance to, cake to eat and presents to open among friends.

Theme Parties

• Theme parties are thrown for many occasions, and are a fun way for teens to role-play a bit while coordinating food, activities and sometimes costumes around a specific premise, idea or genre. Different themes for parties constantly fall in and out of favor, but some popular choices include '80s and tropical themes for parties. 1980s̵7; theme parties require guests to dress from the era and dance to retro music, while tropical-themed parties can include virgin cocktails, luau foods and a game of limbo.

Pool Parties

• Pool parties are hosted in a back yard or a hotel with a pool area. Teens swim and play in the pool together, or maybe lounge beside it in the sun, listening to music. Activities such as volleyball, water Frisbee and Marco Polo keep the party fun.

Costume Parties

• Costume parties are an enjoyable way for teens to express themselves and show off their creativity at Halloween. Everyone dresses up to attend a party that̵7;s dimly lit and decorated with spooky accents such as faux spider webs and skeleton cutouts. The host can organize a contest for scariest, funniest, prettiest and most original costumes. Everyone votes via secret ballot, and the winners receive a prize.

Slumber Parties

• Slumber parties aren̵7;t just for teenage girls. Boys also like staying up all night with friends, listening to music, watching movies or playing video games. If you̵7;re considering a slumber party for your teen, have plenty of snacks available and consider putting a fun twist on the event by hosting a camp-out in the backyard, if the weather̵7;s nice. For the cooler months, host a movie marathon screening for the kids on the big TV in the living room.

Party Events

• Many teens opt to have their party at a location or venue. Pizza parties at a pizzeria allow kids to sit together, chat and laugh over a few slices. Bowling alleys, roller skating rinks and ice rinks have party packages that include time for guests to do the activity and a private room to eat and open gifts. Sometimes, more extravagant locations such as night clubs and restaurants are rented out for teens to dance and talk the night away.