The Best 18th Birthday Party Ideas
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6.5K voters
- Photo: kiwinky / flickr / CC-BY-NC-ND 2.01771 VOTES
Surprise Party
Who doesn't love a surprise Party? Send out an Evite to the guest of honor's friends and family indicating that this party is a surprise. Book the party at the birthday boy's favorite restaurant and them lure him there under the guise of a small dinner with friends.
He will be surprised and touched that all of his family and friends worked together to throw him a great 18th birthday party.
- Photo: Thomas Hawk / flickr / CC-BY-NC 2.021,310 VOTES
Amusement Park
Ride your favorite roller coasters on your 18th birthday at a nearby amusement park. Indulge in your favorite theme park foods and take a fun photo with your friends to commemorate the occasion. - 31,196 VOTES
Day at the Beach
Enjoy some fun in the sun on your 18th birthday by celebrating at the beach. Organize a sand volleyball tournament and bring a Frisbee so your friends have lots of activities to enjoy. Don't forget the sunscreen! - 41,489 VOTES
Club Night
At 18, you can get into most night clubs. Put on your dancing shoes and check out your local scene to celebrate this momentous birthday. - Photo: Frants / flickr / CC-BY-NC-ND 2.05787 VOTES
Camp Out
If you are an outdoorsy type, host a backyard camp out for your 18th birthday. Have your friends bring their tents and have a great time cooking over a bonfire. You can make hot dogs and birthday s'mores.
If your backyard isn't big enough rent a site a your local forest preserve or campground.
- Photo: Burnt Pixel / flickr / CC-BY-NC-ND 2.06718 VOTES
Backyard BBQ
Invite your friends to celebrate your 18th birthday with a backyard BBQ. Grill up your favorite foods and organize a bean bag tournament for your guests. - Photo: Paul!!! / flickr / CC-BY-ND 2.071,152 VOTES
Limo Night in the City
Celebrate like a famous rock star by renting a luxurious limousine to take you and your friends where ever you want to go. Go out to dinner and a play or just take in the sights, cruising around the city. Either way it will be a birthday to remember. - Photo: Bill Hails / flickr / CC-BY-ND 2.081,117 VOTES
Paintball Party
Get a group of friends together and head out to a paintball facility to have a unique 18th birthday event. Many paintball locations have party rooms where you could eat pizza, cake, and open presents after your match. - Photo: Diana Torres tatuajes / flickr / CC-BY-NC-ND 2.091,117 VOTES
Tattoo
You're 18 years old and finally of legal age to get a tattoo or a piercing. Get a group of friends together to support you in getting your first body art. Make sure you research the tattoo shop and think long and hard about what design you want to get. - Photo: Emily Elisabeth Photography / flickr / CC-BY-ND 2.010795 VOTES
Glow-in-the-Dark
Rent a DJ and hand out glow sticks to create a unique and funky birthday experience. Light your space with black lights to enhance the glow-in-the-dark effect. - Photo: 1Flatworld / flickr / CC-BY-NC-ND 2.011721 VOTES
Movie Night
A movie night is a great way to celebrate your 18th birthday. Hang a white sheet up on a clothing line in your backyard and project your favorite movie for your guests to see, or have a small get together with friends in front of your TV.
Be sure to pop lots of popcorn and enjoy an assortment of your favorite sweet snacks.
- Photo: su1droot / flickr / CC-BY-NC 2.012607 VOTES
Murder Mystery Party
If you prefer something a bit more theatrical for your birthday host a Murder Mystery Party. Encourage your friends to dress up and play along with a devious plot. Serve finger foods so your guests won't get hungry throughout the performance.
- Photo: gilliflower / flickr / CC-BY-NC-ND 2.013635 VOTES
Photo Booth
Rent a photo booth to capture all of your guests enjoying your 18th birthday party. Many companies also provide fun accessories like silly hats and big sunglasses which allow for some creative and funny photos. - 14532 VOTES
Live Band
Hire your favorite local rock band to provide entertainment for your 18th birthday. You and your friends could also buy tickets to see a national act in concert at an amphitheater. - Photo: windvins / flickr / CC-BY-NC-ND 2.015492 VOTES
Skiing
Don't let winter weather stop you from celebrating your 18th birthday party. Invite your friends on a ski trip to make the most of the snow. If you don't live near the slopes give cross country skiing a try. - Photo: www.davidbaxendale.com / flickr / CC-BY-ND 2.016480 VOTES
Casino Night
You may not be old enough to gamble in Las Vegas, but you can still have a great time with your friends at a casino night. Provide everyone with a certain amount of chips and give the leader a prize at the end of the night. - 17570 VOTES
Rent Inflatables
There is a new trend growing for adults to rent inflatables and bouncy houses. Rent an inflatable to enhance your backyard BBQ and celebrate your 18th birthday with a fun and memorable experience. - Photo: huppypie / flickr / CC-BY-NC-ND 2.018440 VOTES
Throwback Board Game Night
Have a retro birthday by playing your favorite childhood boardgames. You can set up different stations with games like Trouble and Chutess and Ladders or invite your friends to join you for an all night Risk tournament. - Photo: Darwin Bell / flickr / CC-BY-NC 2.019506 VOTES
Scavenger Hunt
Have a great time running around town bonding with your friends and family during a Scavenger Hunt birthday party. Give the guests wacky tasks like "starting a conga line at the grocery store," or "ask a stranger for a hug." Whoever finishes all of their tasks first win a fun prize. - Photo: lemonjenny / flickr / CC-BY-ND 2.020501 VOTES
Truth or Dare
Invite your friends over for an old school sleepover and play classic games like Truth or Dare. Watch scary movies and play with a Ouija board to complete the experience. - Photo: karthikpasupathy / flickr / CC-BY-ND 2.021399 VOTES
Black and White
Invite your friends over for a fancy black and white party to celebrate your 18th birthday in style. Serve sparkling cider in champagne flutes to add to the classy ambiance. - Photo: Will Montague / flickr / CC-BY-NC 2.022389 VOTES
Mardi Gras
Host a Mardi Gras themed party for your 18th birthday by providing colorful masks and beads to your guests. Play traditional New Orleans style Jazz and Zydeco music to give your party an authentic feel. - Photo: amanky / flickr / CC-BY-NC-ND 2.023354 VOTES
Candy Goody Bags
Feel like a kid again by providing your guests with candy goody bags. Personalize these favors with your favorite childhood treats like Nerds and Reese Pieces. - 24331 VOTES
Sports Night
If you love athletics, incorporate sports into your 18th birthday. You and your friends could take in a professional game or you can get together at a local gym for a basketball tournament. You could even have your friends over to watch a game on television. - 25356 VOTES
Zombie Tag
Zombie Tag is a really great way to have fun with your friends on your 18th birthday. Do a quick internet search to find out the rules or create your own "capture the flag" version of the game. To take the party to the next level, encourage your guests to dress up like zombies. - Photo: uwhealth / flickr / CC-BY-NC-ND 2.026351 VOTES
Kickball Tournament
Everyone will have a great time playing kickball on your 18th birthday. Rent your local ball field and bring a picnic for your guests to enjoy.
