Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I'm turning 16 at the end of May and I really wanted a sweet 16, but my parents don't have the money to spend on it and my mom thinks it's a bit silly. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas for a 16th birthday party for a girl.
Invite your close friends to your home. Have a high tea party and let everyone get dressed up. You dont have to spend a lot to have fun.
I am turning 16 in less than 2 months, and I have no idea on what to do. I would really like to do something unique, but my birthday is in December. I really don't like most winter themed parties, and I am fairly athletic.
Not many of my friends are as well, but I would to do something active. None of us are really girly. And I am planning on maybe 5 or 6 people at the most.Will you have snow? If so, how about tobogganing? Skating and skiing require skill to really be fun, and can be expensive if you need a ski lesson (and then it will be fun.) What about laser tag?
My birthday was September 23rd so I wanted to celebrate with some friends. I live in New York and wanted to go do something fun in the city. I would only invite around 5 girls.
I want to do something fun because my friends get bored easily, but I really don't have a lot of money to go to these expensive places! Please help.You could have a spa day in your house, and spend your money taking everyone out for pizza or burgers.
I have no idea what I can do. I don't have many friends to invite and my house isn't so big.
By Nora W.
If you don't have a large home and you also have a lot of friends have your party at a bowling alley. There you can get food and pizza and play a few games. Your friends would love this.
I'm going to sixteen in March and I want a party, but it can't be a dance or anything dance related and it has to be inexpensive because I'm going to a youth conference a week before. Could someone help me out please?
By Alex
The cheapest thing is to rent a movie and have cake and soda at home.
My birthday is on the 18th of March. It's difficult because I just found out I'm a year older which means I will be turning 17 and not 16. But I want to celebrate my 16th. Any ideas?
By T tois
Make it a belated Sweet 16. Everyone will be happy to have you celebrate
I turn 16 at the end of January and I have no idea what I want to do. I don't have enough close girlfriends to have it be just us, so I want to do a mixed group. I just can't seem to find anything good to do. Other Sweet 16s that I have been to have had pool tables, ping pong, poker, arcade games, etc. I'm just worried that it will be completely boring. One girl in my class had a party during the summer, but it was wildly inappropriate and I'm worried that if I have a dance party, everyone will think it's a complete bore compared to hers. What should I do?
By Charlotte W.
Consider a scavenger hunt. Ideas here:
www.scavenger-hunt-guru.com/
Also, this website is interesting-scroll down to Best Teen Party Ideas:
My bday is this month (January). I want a party, but I don't if you know the feeling. It's going to be all girls. I want something that is cheap and easy to do. Any possible ideas?
By Emily
Do a scavenger hunt! Those are always really fun. Another idea is if your party is in the winter, maybe going ice skating then to dinner and/or a movie would be fun as well.
I'm turning 16 on the 9th of February and I have absolutely no idea what to do. I want something fun and enjoyable but not something huge like a party as I don't have many friends and am not really into parties.
I wouldn't mind spending a day out with my boyfriend, but my birthday is on a school day which doesn't help. I really need some ideas as I've searched everywhere and I can't find anything that I like or am interested in.
Help!
By Fatemeh Z.
Some ideas may be the thrifty date: you and your friends/boyfriend go to the 2nd hand store with a small budget ($5-20) each buy the tackiest outfit you can for that amount. do fashion show while you are there and just have fun putting the most hideous outfit tougher.
You then follow this up with going out to your birthday dinner (in the outfits of tacky) i recommend something like McDonalds. bring a table cloth and candle for the meal and just have a grand time. Its cheep its fun and can be done with as many or few people as you wish. Just have a good time.
I want to have a dress up theme for my party, and I don't know what would be good and semi easy for a group of 15-16 year olds.
By Jada
A few good ideas if you want to have a dress up theme would be a masquerade which sounds a lot more expensive and hard than it is. All you need to do is decorate your venue fancy and then have someone play music and get a dress and mask or a tux for guys, then there is your party.
You could also do a red carpet themed party, where you just hang with friends and talk and dance in fancy outfits, but obviously the red carpet itself is essential. There are many more things you could do so suggest researching this more, and good luck to you!
My birthday is in less than 2 months and I still have no idea what to do! I don't want to have a big party... just three girls and myself. I was thinking of a spa day but it's just so expensive, and my parents don't want to spend that much money on the party. Plus the venue can't be too far away because we don't have a car at the moment. Please help!
By Emily
Just do a cute at home sleep over if you have nail polish buy some cucumbers and some face wipes and your ready to go also go with four really small cakes and put there first letter of there name on the cake its really easy to pipe I would also suggest bethany mota on youtube look up her diy and she has this one with her friends it was so cute!!!!!
My 16th birthday is this month. I wanted to get a massage done with one of my friends, but since you have to be 18 and older to do it without a parent in the room, I decided not to. Are there any other ideas that are fun and not a party at a house with alcoholic with one friend.
By Maddie
I think y'all should go to a club or teen, then ride the rest of the night out.
I'm turning 16 on September 18th and I live in Florida. I'm not sure what to do and how many friends to invite. It will be all girls because I don't think any guys would come. Any suggestions?
By Nicole L.
if you like the beach and if you have a some cash in your pocket well all you have to go is go to the beach have a tiki party with drinks and little hand foods or rent jet ski's I know how you fell girl I too live in a really hot place its called Florida lol so I would do and thing not so hot lol
My 16th birthday is in a few weeks (July 2) and I still haven't planned anything. I would like to have many friends over (boys and girls), but I also want to do something that is inexpensive. Please help!
By Kristen A.
Scavenger hunt for fun things around town or at a mall or just within your property!
My 16th birthday party is coming up and I need a few ideas on what to do. There's only going to be a few people and it's mainly girls, but a couple of guys are coming as well. I was thinking an expensive dinner at a fancy restaurant, renting out a house that you can decorate it however you want, bring food, play games, dance, play, music etc.
However, my dad is building up my backyard to have a fire pit and I don't want to hurt his feelings and not use it when he made it his goal to finish it before my birthday so that we could hang out back there. Anyone have any ideas of what I should do?By Katelynn O.
You could have a house party with all your friends and family. Plan a lot of games that any age can play.
I turn 16 August 1st and I am unsure of what to do for my birthday, any ideas?
By Emily H
It depends on what you would like to do and how many people you are planning to invite! Is it all girls or a mixture? Do you want to spend a lot of money or have a decent but inexpensive party? Details would be nice!
I was born in America, but grew up in Ireland. Everyone thinks that seeing as I'm kind of a yank and turning 16 is huge over there I should do something biggish for my 16th in March. It is 6 months away, I'm just not sure what to do. Having sleepovers, going to town for the day, going to the cinema, or going to discos are always done for everyone's birthday every year.
I'd love to do something different, something new. There would be 10 people including me (all girls). I would really appreciate any ideas, because I really can't think of anything! And if possible, the less it costs the better.By Bláthnaid F.
How about a spa pampering party? You can assemble the materials ahead of time. Google for DIY facial recipes, etc. Then do each others makeup and hair and pose for your own Glamour Shots!
I'm turning 16 in about 2 weeks. I have no money to spend, but I'm trying to make it fun. I'm having about 25 girls over and I want it to be just a fun hang out kind of thing, but don't want it be boring. I was thinking some games we could play would be fun, but I don't know any games to play. Any ideas?
By Koki F.
How about a costume contest? Or have your friends bring clothes that can be cut up and make zombie outfits and practice for halloween. Add popcorn and scary movies and outdoor christmas lights! The 18 year old next door did this and it was the best party ever!
My oldest daughter is turning 16 in a week and she wants to have a party. We don't have a very big house and also don't have a lot of money. She has a list of about 17 people, boys and girls. Any ideas?
By Carlene V from Coeur d'Alene, ID
Get the guests to come early with their make-up bags and they can all do each other's hair and make-up as a warm up to the party. Then just provide loud music and plenty of pizza and burgers. Maybe have a fashion show where they can strut their stuff up and down the room.
My friend and I are both turning 16 and want to have a joint party. We are on a very limited budget and can only invite 20-30 people. I was thinking about like, a scavenger hunt in two teams each with a different birthday girl and we end up meeting in the same place, but I'm not sure she would go for it. I think she wants a more elegant dinner type thing, but I'm not sure that we can afford it. Help!
By Tia xx
This sounds like a very nice idea. There is no reason you could not end with something elegant. I'd suggest, however, something less formal, as 16 year old boys are not into "elegant". I am sure they would much prefer burgers. You could do sliders (tiny makes it elegant), and how about birthday cupcakes arranged on tiered plates, with iced tea in lovely glasses.
I'm having my sweet 16 in two months and I still need to come up with ideas. The main theme is Murder Mystery. I want to have a nice dinner that ends up in us having to solve a mystery. It doesn't have to be a murder mystery, but a mystery of some sort. I'd like to keep it cheap.
By Cassieu
You could use a boxed game set, ($20 on Amazon, as low $3 on ebay). You could try your local book store or Goodwill for these as well. Make your invitations, ask people to dress as their character, instant party. Do you have a favorite mystery you've read? That could work also.
I am turning 16 in February and it is going to be cold. I am planning a girl and boys party and I am not a girl girl. I want my party to be great fun and memorable, something that my friends will never forget. I don't know if I want my party to be in February or just wait until the summer to have my party. So I need help on themes and games. Please help!
By Kathleen M from Finksburg, MD
I am having a 16th birthday in February also. If everything goes as planned I'm going to rent out a space and have a giant party with everyone i know. but I am doing it with my sister for her 15th birthday but we will each have our entrance and what not. I am still worried about how its gonna turn out but oh well.
I am turning sixteen in a few months. I really want to do something small, like go out with four of my close friends, but I have no idea what to do. I don't want to have a sleepover, because we have sleepovers literally every week! Any ideas?
By Izzi V.
Why don't you investigate going to live theatre or something like that, which you couldn't do with a group. Perhaps you could even take a trip to a nearby city, if you live in a small center or in the country, to attend this event. Combined with a dinner or lunch out at a nice bistro or upscale cafe, this would be very nice for girls your age. As well, most restaurants will have the staff bring out cake and sing happy birthday if you let them know it is that kind of party, and that is pretty special!
I am having my 16th birthday at a park with different sport activities, if anyone wants to play. But I need more ideas on what to do at my party. Any ideas?
By Alexis B
Have you thought about a movie night at home? Get some snacks and a bunch of movies you guys can just wear pjs and have blankets. And make it a sleep over.
Or you could do make overs with your friends, like you can get those little packs of face masks for really cheap and do each others nails and make up. Then take s bunch of pictures of each other and do a fashion show or something like that. You can blast music or make it like a spa up to you.
Crafting or baking party there are so many things you can do for very low cost well good luck and happy birthday.
I want something good for my birthday party, but I don't know what to have. I want to invite 10 friends.
By Annie
I'm 15 turning 16 next week. I need some ideas that are quick to plan and for a moderate amount of money. I'm having my best friends over. I don't drink alcohol and my parents would never allow a house party. All my best friends are different and I want them all to have fun. I'm not sure what to do. I like to dance and sing, but some of my friends, I don't think would be up for karaoke or anything like that. I'm so lost. Any ideas based on the information I gave?
By Tia
If it's not too late, my bday is quite the same. Although my bday is on April not next week, I was thinking of smores where I could sit around with friends and roast some marshmallows and have a fondue. Plus we just love to chat really! I was also thinking of where everyone has to have wear some kind of a medal (something around they're neck) and they have to try and not too say your name and if someone says your name, a person has to take it off them and the one with the most medals wins, you can decide on the prize.
I'm also having a game of beer pong and you can have yours without alcohol if you wish if any reason your not allowed or just want to keep it clean tbf. And you can have a competition of stack of cups after, i guess. So far that's all I can think of, but my family is thinking if doing sports for entertaiment but some of my friends and I are not keen on it!
I'm throwing a party for my triplets and they all have different party ideas. What are some ideas that they will all agree on?
By April C
I have no idea how you get any 16 year olds to agree. Maybe get 3 ideas from each person, write each 1 on piece of paper and put them (9 pieces) into a hat/bowl and
get them to pull out 1 each then put the 3 they pulled out into a hat and the one pulled out is the way to go.
I will be 16 soon and I want to do something for my birthday, but I don't want it to cost too much. Anyone got any ideas?
By Yasmin
How about having a scavenger hunt. Have a selection of items they must find. You could take pictures in advance of items for them to locate. Ex.- a house with a missing shutter, a red door. Maybe this will give you an idea. Then when they return to the house have cake and ice cream.
I turn 16 next year and don't really have a set birthday party idea. I considered doing something at a local pavilion or club, but didn't know if that was too fancy for a boy's sixteenth birthday. My mom's willing to pay for anything I want. Any suggestions?
By Antwan R.
How about having it at a community club, going out or a massive party? It's your birthday and your choice. How about getting your friends to help you plan?
My 16th birthday is coming up and I need ideas for my birthday party. I'm going to have it at my church's gym and invite around 30 friends. Any ideas for group games, activities, or any other fun things we could do?
By Emma F.
If you can get a hold of a karaoke then you can have song competitions for the best imitation, funniest, & group effort.
- dance competition
- You could have a photo caption booth with a person taking pics or have a video camera ready for the guests to leave fun messages. This is also a great keepsake for the birthday girl.
I am having my 16th birthday party this Friday and I already have the main thing planned. I'm filling balloons with neon washable paints and putting black lights everywhere in my backyard to have a paint balloon fight with all my friends like in the movie "10 Things I Hate About You". It's going to be at night but my only problem is that its going to be about 39 degrees outside. Does anyone have any ideas to do in case its too cold or if we finish the fight early because the party is from 7-11p.
By taylor from Houston, TX
I'm fifteen, and a good idea is to do a campfire, unless it's raining of course (: I did one at my last birthday party, and everyone really enjoyed it. It kept everyone calm while at the same time they had fun.
another idea is the simple games of truth or dare, apples to apples, twister, or you could make your own pizzas or something fun like that. good luck!
I'm turning 16 in a month and I don't have any clue what I want to do for a party. We don't have a large budget and I don't have very many friends (2 girls 3-5 guys), so a big party is out of the question. I'm trying to be open about any ideas. I just want to have fun and make it a night I will remember with all of my friends. Any ideas?
By Taylor P.
My birthday is at the end of March. My mum is making me plan for it, but I have just recently moved towns. I don't know many people in my new town, but I would like a mixed party. I know I have school to meet new people, but I start at the end of January which leaves 2 months to meet and greet people along with study and party planning and all. Most of my friends live in another town. I really wanted to do something with them, but things changed. Please help with a 16th birthday party theme.
By Gabrielle O from Brisbane, Queensland
I am turning 16 soon. I don't know what exactly to do. I just had my cotillion a couple of months ago, so I can't have a sweet sixteen. I want to be with my friends, but I don't know exactly where to go. I could care less about the money I just want something that I can enjoy as well as my friends. Any suggestions?
By Lizeth G.
I turn 16 in July. I have most people coming in a hall, but I don't know what to do and I don't want it to be all dressy like MTV. I need ideas so my guests don't get bored.
By Courtney.t from glen alpine, NSW
Any good 16th bday party ideas? I'd like it to be unique and not involve massive amounts of people drinking at my house. I have lots of friends who are polar opposites and get a bit antsy. They also don't really know each other and I have a mesh of guys and girls. Any ideas would be awesome!
By Sadie E.
I'm turning 16 soon, and I would love to do something fun with my friends. My birthday is in late February and I'm in Southern California. I want to bring about 3-5 friends and since times are hard, it's $200 all together.
It's mixed boy and girl. I need to think about weather. My dad will pay for them depending on how much, and they'd pitch in to help as well. So yeah, please help. Thanks (:
By Jennifer G.
I am looking for ideas for my birthday party, including the dress code, color, and the theme of the party.
By Mary
I'm having a sweet sixteen in April and it will be around income tax time so money is not an issue. I want to invite 30-40 friends, boys and girls. But I don't know what would be fun activities for us to play because they each like something different. I don't know where to have it at either. I live in a decent sized town. I'm a girl in need of help.
By Timysha F.
My party is on the first of February, and I want to have a big celebration. The problem with that is I can't have an expensive party. People of both genders will be invited. I'm open to just about anything unique and fun. Does anyone have any ideas?
By Kelsey Y.
I wanna have a really good 16th birthday party that everyone will remember and were they will have fun! I just need help figuring out what we could all do. My birthday is January 21st, but I'm having my party the 17th of January. Help!
By Nina H
I'm turning 16 at the end of the week. My parents want a detailed party plan from the moment guests arrive to the moment they leave. I'm going with a "Summer Evening" theme, and there's gonna be about 20 people. Any ideas?
By Klaudia Z.
What are some good, fun, exciting, unusual places to have your 16th bday that would be remembered forever?
By Brittany M
