A sixteenth birthday is a huge milestone, marking the significant transition from the early teenage years to the later ones. It can be hard to decide just how to celebrate this big moment. It’s best to think of what truly makes your teen special, and what theme would make them happy. We’ve compiled a list of our top ten trending themes that will be a hit with your teen!
Roll the Film
Pull out the red carpet, ready the popcorn, and dim the lights. If your 16-year-old enjoys the silver screen, then a party hanging with their friends and having a movie marathon evening is a fantastic idea. You can even take it one step further and have guests dress as their favorite movie character.
Dance the Night Away
This milestone birthday calls for an over-the-top party, so why not host a masquerade ball? Have guests wear their best outfit, give them masks, and enjoy a night of mystery. Your guests will have a blast trying to guess who’s who! At midnight, you can have everyone reveal who they are.
Beach Babes and Dudes
Do you feel the sun on your face? The sound of the ocean crashing? Then it’s time to have your party on the beach! Pull out the beach balls and parasols for a great time. Ensure to provide plenty of water, towels, and sunscreen for your guests so they stay safe while enjoying themselves.
Blast From the Past
Pull out your butterfly hair clips, Ugg slippers, and cassette players. For this idea, we’re going back to the ’90s. This trending idea will be great to post on social media and to take parents back to their youth. Get the party started by playing some of your favorite boy bands, the Macarena, or rap!
Under the Stars
Host a glamorous camping party with tents, fairy lights, and outdoor activities. The tents can be indoors or outdoors, with inflatable beds, yard games, and plenty of snacks to enjoy. You can rent out a large tent on a camping ground where all the teens can sleep, or create a forest at home for them to camp in.
We Are the Champions
If your sixteen-year-old is an athlete, then why not have the day themed around their beloved sport? Have plenty of balls around for people to play with, and custom jerseys that you can use to create a match. Why not create a custom trophy for the winning team?
Let’s Get Wet & Wild
Cannon ball! Dive off the board and make a splash with this party idea. If you’ve got a backyard pool, then why not use it to host your sweet sixteen party? You can play music nice and loud, put out a table full of snacks, and have a few diving games.
Time to Level Up
No need to stream Twitch for this event! Have your teen’s friends bring over their controllers and favorite multiplayer games so everyone can enjoy the day. Level up to 16 years old without losing any XP. Send out the birthday invitation digitally to make sure they know when the party is!
Time to Kick Your Boots Off
Whether you’re a rustic cowboy or a disco cowgirl, a western sweet 16 theme will make everyone say “Yee Haw!” Make sure you have enough hats for everyone, mason jars to keep the drinks flowing, and tell them to come wearing their favorite boots.
Shh, It’s a Secret!
Tell everyone it’s a surprise so no one spoils the event by letting the birthday person know it’s coming. You can invite everyone special to them and invite them over while they’re out, and you’ve a camera ready to capture the big moment.
Hosting a sweet 16 party for your teen is a once-in-a-lifetime event, so it’s important to choose a theme that will be talked about for years to come, and that resonates throughout the sweet 16 cards, décor, favors, and invitations. Whether it’s a masked ball or a movie night at home, there’s something for everyone! The one important thing is to pick a theme that matches the birthday person, because it’s about them at the end of the day.
Lucy is a Content Specialist at Zazzle in Cork, Ireland. Originally from America, she is now settled in Ireland with her husband and Corgi-mix puppy Dug (yes, like from Disney’s UP!). It’s the simple things in life that matter, so give her a bag of M&M’s and she’s happy. She loves to relax with a good book, cozy up on the couch for a movie, or go to the park for a stroll with the family.
