30 Birthday Party Ideas for Older Kids (Aged 10–13)
Planning a party for that in-between age, too old for pass-the-parcel, too young for full on teen hangouts, can feel like a challenge. Kids aged around 10 to 14 are starting to develop their own style, sense of humour, and hobbies… and that means one-size-fits-all party themes are out.
But good news: we’ve put together a list of 30 seriously fun, modern, and totally doable birthday ideas for tweens and early teens. Whether you’re working with a big group, a small sleepover crew, a tight budget, or the whole garden…there’s something here to make your kid’s next birthday unforgettable.
1. Video Game Party
Set up gaming zones for Mario Kart, Minecraft, or Fortnite tournaments. Blow the budget and rent a gaming van, or, borrow one or two consoles and another screen and set up a couple of gaming spots, create teams and award fun prizes. Don’t forget themed snacks and balloons.
2. Pool Party
Rent a private pool or take the party to the nearest public lido. We are thinking inflatable races, pool floats, and waterproof speakers = instant summer win.
3. Harry Potter Party
Sort guests into houses, have a wand-making station, and stage a Quidditch bean bag toss. Serve Butterbeer (cream soda + whipped cream!) and play a themed trivia quiz.
Harry Potter Party by Fern and Maple
4. Race Across the World/Amazing Race Party
Inspired by the hit show! Set up country-themed challenge stations around your home or garden. Each guest gets a “passport” to stamp after completing each one.
5. Karaoke Party
Set up a mini stage with lights and let guests sing their hearts out. You can hire a karaoke machine or use various apps. Create “judging” cards for a bit of silliness or let them duet their way to a dance party. Hang shimmering disco balls from the ceiling, adorn tables with inflatable guitars and disco themed balloons, and sprinkle the venue with star-shaped confetti
6. 90s Throwback Party
Retro sweets, chokers, Tamagotchi party favours, and a playlist with Destiny’s Child and Spice Girls. Everyone can arrive in 90s fashion and enjoy some classic 90s treats like dip-dabs, wham bars, and sun lollies, would sure to be a hit.
7. Shopping Mall Scavenger Hunt
Split into teams, give each a small budget, and send them off with a list of challenges (e.g. "find a glittery hair clip" or "take a selfie with a mannequin"). What 13 year old doesn’t love roaming around the mall with their friends?
Shopping Mall Scavenger Hunt by Wondermom Wannabe
8. Become Local Team Supporters
It can be expensive to take a group tweens to a major sporting event so why not try local. Hockey, ice hockey, netball, football, baseball, basketball, cricket and a host of other sporting events will likely have events locally to you. College teams and local teams are just as fun to watch, are super friendly, welcoming and are far more affordable. Let your tween pick the sport and secure tickets for them and their friends. Use the money you save to grab some half time treats.
9. Sports Party
Take the party outside. Whether it’s a game of rounders, football, or a mini Olympics in the park, sporty parties burn energy and bring big laughs. Medals or trophies make great favours, sports parties are always a crowd pleaser!
10. Escape Room Party
Book a real escape room or create your own version at home with puzzles, clues, and a ticking clock. Escape rooms are all the rage lately, with good reason! They are entertaining and promote team work and communication!
11. Movie Night
Create a backyard cinema or just go full cosy indoors with fairy lights, floor cushions, popcorn buckets, and a classic film marathon.
12. Games Night
Think old-school board games like Uno and Twister, mixed with new hits like Exploding Kittens or Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza. Add fizzy drinks and pizza…done.
13. Spa Party
Robes, face masks, calming music, and cucumber slices on their eyes. Sheet face masks, comfortable pajamas and cozy movies would be fun and are filled with self-care, too!
14. Ice Cream Party
Set up a sundae station with sprinkles, sauces, and whipped cream. Add waffle cones, bowls, and toppings galore. Ideal for summer birthdays.
15. Stand Up Paddleboarding
Learning to Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) is easy and in a group session it’s a lot of fun! In just an hour they will have mastered a new sport and have made lifelong memories.
16. Glamping Party
Pitch a bell tent or teepees in the garden, string up fairy lights, and add sleeping bags, smores, and fluffy blankets. Stargazing apps make a fun bonus activity!
17. Sleepover
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Teenagers have been enjoying sleepovers for years and having friends over for the night is a great way to celebrate their birthday. Perhaps give it a twist with a theme like movie night, spa sleepover, or glow-in-the-dark PJ party. Think snack bar, playlist, and a loose bedtime.
18. Camp-Out
A wonderful and wild celebration. Build a fire pit (or use a BBQ), toast marshmallows, tell ghost stories, and watch for shooting stars. Budget-friendly, unforgettable, and easy to pull off.
19. Great British Bake Off Party
Kids compete in baking teams… cupcakes, cookies, or a signature bake. Judge on creativity and taste. Don’t forget aprons and bunting!
20. Colour Fight
A colour fight party is ideal for an outdoor party in the summer months. It's brilliant fun, your guests will be talking about it for weeks afterwards, and they'll all get some amazing selfies for the 'gram.
– Buy some Holi powder paints. Designed for throwing and used in the Hindu festival of love, spring and colour, they're widely available online
– You'll need a large outdoor space such as a garden or field (the paints are non toxic and wash away easily but some venues and parks won't allow them, so check any restrictions beforehand)
– Ask your guests to wear all white and not to wear anything that might get ruined, such as their favourite designer trainers
– Give everyone a pair of cheap sunglasses to protect their eyes
– Get throwing!
Make sure you have plenty of drinks on hand for when they've finished, as well as food that can be eaten outdoors, such as hotdogs or a barbecue, to stop guests traipsing colour indoors. Don’t forget the camera for this one!
21. Dinner Party
Throwing a dinner party with all your teen's favorite foods is a personal way to celebrate. They could also fancy things up by including some mocktails. Dressing up in cocktail attire would be fun and having a beautiful tablescape with soft lighting would appeal to older tweens. Most important of all, stay out of the way! You should be there to serve food then let the teens get on with it. They'll have much more fun without any adults in the room!
22. Treasure Hunt Adventure
Create clues that lead around the house or garden or to the park. Theme it as pirates, detectives, or secret agents.
23. Art Party
Set up canvases or easels, play some relaxing music, and let them create their own masterpiece. One of the coolest things about this type of birthday is the built-in party favor: Each guest will be the proud owner of a new masterpiece they’ve created. Paint-and-pizza night, anyone?
24. Mini Festival
DIY wristbands, music, glitter face paint, neon lights, food stalls, and chill-out tents. Call it "[Birthday Kid's Name]Fest" and let them design the lineup!
25. Day at the Museum
For curious kids who love exploring, plan a group outing to a science or art museum followed by lunch or milkshakes. Add a quiz or photo scavenger challenge to make it interactive, lots of museums offer extra resources like these for kids.
26. Picnic and Polaroids
Take the party to a scenic picnic spot on a hill, by a river or lake etc. Fill the car with cosy blankets, cushions, décor and picnic hampers. Supply the group with polaroid or disposable cameras and let them capture all the fun moments.
27. Themed Costume Party
Choose a theme, such as movie characters, a colour, decade or even base your theme around the first letter of a name etc. Everyone can come dressed up for a drinks & disco party. Provide décor to fit the theme and take lots of photos.
28. Volunteering Day
Turn the party into a feel-good event. Offer to help at a food bank, wildlife centre or help to clean up a park, waterway or woodland. Finish up with a wonderful picnic or pizza party to thank everyone for their hard work.
29. Silent Disco
Silent Discos are a new trend and are a ton of fun for all ages. The headphone kits can be hired without breaking the bank. Just add fun decorations, party food and sit back and enjoy the peace and quite.
30. Craft Night
From DIY tote bags to clay moneyboxes, let them get hands-on with a creative project. Set up stations, pop on some music, and serve snacks while they work.
Tips For Planning The Perfect Tween Party
Let them lead – Involve your child in the decision making and planning process, let them play a role from the theme and guest list to the décor and food.
Make it personal – Integrate their favourite foods, colours, hobbies into the party details
Plan with flexibility – Moods and interests can shift, leave some room in your plans to pivot and adjust.
Capture the moments – Don’t forget to take photographs or integrate photos into the party, A group photo doubles up as a great thank you message.
Don’t stress – provide what you think they will need and don’t worry if things don’t go exactly to plan…remember that kids love to make their own fun, so take a step back and let them take the lead.
Our Final Thoughts
Tweens can be a tough crowd but with the right theme, a little creativity, and a few snacks, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to pull off a birthday they’ll remember. Keep it personal, let them have input, be flexible and lean into the fun.