Party ideas for a 12 y/o??

[goofy4tink]

Any thoughts about a fun theme for a 12 y/o birthday party? We've done the sleep-overs for the past two years, we've done luau parties, make-up parties. But now the girls are more mature and I think need something more grown up..but short of renting a stable or going to a Broadway show. Any of you have dd's that have had fun parties at this age or maybe been to one? I'm desperate for some good ideas. This is starting to make me crazed and I have less than a month to go!!! Thanks.

 

[cepmom]

how about taking them to a salon to get manicures/pedicures? Did you already do that with your make-up party? I don't really have any other ideas....my oldest DD is 15 and she usually just did sleep overs. Sorry!

 

[goofy4tink]

Yep, did the manicure route. In fact, dd just went to a manicure/pedicure b-day party and she said it was soooo boring. Thanks anyway.

 

[Rowena]

How about a movie party, but they all dress up to go to an evening showing on opening weekend? (Call the theatre and see if you can get a red carpet, and rope a couple of other parents into being "paprazzi" and take photos of them?)

Or is that just too silly?

 

[KimR]

Do you have a Dave and Buster's or Jillian's where you live? The girls always seem to enjoy that.

My DD is 13 now and for the past few years she's just invited 2 or 3 friends to go out to dinner and then spend the night. We usually go someplace fun, like a Japanese steakhouse.

 

[kasar]

Last year we went to a Paint-your-own-pottery place. The kids had fun and they got to bring home their creations.

We've done Ben & Jerry's, they do a tour around the shop and the kids tie-dye tshirts and make their own ice cream.

If you have a YMCA near you maybe you could rent out the pool (or go during free swim).

Do you have an indoor soccer or basketball facility? Maybe dance or gymnastic studio? How about bowling? (Can you tell that DD11 doesn't like sleepovers or house parties? She just likes having her friends do things - they are a little crazy so I completely understand. DD12 likes sleepovers.)

 

[Tink33]

We had a Scavenger Hunt at the mall. The girls were divided into two teams - The Shopoholics and Mall Madness. Each team was given a list of 11 items (since my DD turned 11), $20 and a one hour time limit. We ended up with some interesting items that were given as party favors. The girls were also given tshirts to wear during the scavenger hunt that we decorated once we returned home.

If you want more details, send me a pm.

 

[goofy4tink]

Some pretty interesting ideas. The scavenger hunt could be a possibility. Hmmm...you guys can be pretty creative.

 

[Reflection]

Here's another vote for the mall scavenger hunt party idea. I did this for my daughter's 12th birthday earlier this summer. She and her guests had a blast. The last clue took the teams to Bath and Body Works where they could collect their prize (I selected and prepaid the items in advance. The staff in the store were very friendly and helpful).

 

[njcarita]

what about a japanese/sushi restaurant-- where they cook the food at the tables???

 

[georgina]

We did a late night cosmic bowling party. I think the time was midnight to 3 AM, then they went back and fell asleep.

 

[christineann]

I did a surprise birthday for my daughter at a Japanese steakhouse when she was around that age. We had 6 or 7 of her friends, and they had a blast.

Another time we took a larger group to Wild Wings Restaurant. We ordered platters of wings and baskets of side items, and the kids really enjoyed that. That was pretty inexpensive for a party that lasted several hours.

 

[scorpad99]

We r celebrating my dd`s 10th birthday in the world. and I reminded her no more parties til her sweet 16! Yeah we`ll see how that sticks! How about a few friends to the movies? just a suggestion , so hard to out do what we`ve done to them already! LOL

 

[minkydog]

My DD12 is planning a fall party now. She is building it around a Frankenstein theme (weird kid ) She plans to show "Young Frankenstein" and have the girls make Frankenstein sock dolls. She is planning it to be a sleepover, with "Frankenweenies" for breakfast(pigs in blankets )

 

[staci]

Any thoughts about a fun theme for a 12 y/o birthday party? We've done the sleep-overs for the past two years, we've done luau parties, make-up parties. But now the girls are more mature and I think need something more grown up..but short of renting a stable or going to a Broadway show. Any of you have dd's that have had fun parties at this age or maybe been to one? I'm desperate for some good ideas. This is starting to make me crazed and I have less than a month to go!!! Thanks.

For my 12th birthday, my parents felt the same way about the maturity. So they had my friend and I (I think there were 6 of us) get really dressed up, and we went to eat in the fanciest restaurant in town. We went at lunch, because regardless of the newfound maturity, the situation had us a little giddy and alot giggly!

My mom took video of us from a distance (she his around a fake tree ) and that tape is a RIOT! We all look SO funny!

 

[the kabuki]

Some good ideas can be found here:

http://www.birthdaypartyideas.com/

 

[Swimnoid]

-One of DD friends moms was very imaginative and had several fun parties. A couple of them were based on TV shows. When Survivor first came out they did a "survivor" Party which the girls loved. The next year they did another TV themed show although I cant remember which one also team based.

 

[TLHB70]

The mall scavenger hunt seems like a great idea! I will have to remember that one.
We just did our daughter's big 10th. We really played it up since she hit "double digits." We rented a limo for her and her friends (and sis, mom and dad, too) to go out and eat at Marcaroni Grill. Then we had the slumber party.
Anyway, what about a karaoke party? I am not sure if they are too young still or not. It seems like girls that age may enjoy dressing up like pop stars and singing karaoke. Or.........am I way far out on that one?
Again, our oldest is 10 so we haven't gotten into that yet.
Let us know when you decide and how it goes. I am storing up ideas now.

 

[Nutsy]

A Disco?

When my youngest was 12 he was invited to a Disco party and they all had a ball. They had it in the garage.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

My DD9 just had a shopping spree birthday party. I found the pocketbook invitations and paper products at Party City.

The girls came home from school with my daughter. They played for 45 minutes until all of the guests arrived.(from other schools) She had a birthday cake that was shaped like a pocketbook.

I then gave each girl a small purse shaped gift bag (Target) with a gift card to Claire's Accessories. We drove to the shopping center and went to Claire's. I gave the girls about 25 minutes to shop and use their gift cards. They put their purchases in their pocketbook gift bags.

Then we went to Cold Stone Creamery for ice cream. All of the parents picked up from Cold Stone. I got so many positive responses from parents. All of the girls had a blast and want to do it for their birthdays.

Lori