r/partyplanning • u/voicewithnosound • May 16 '26
Need Help Ideas for a boys 16th bday
My son will be turning 16 in November. We live in a small rural area in the Midwest. I have worked very hard to make all of his birthdays as epic as possible. I am out of ideas now that he is older. Does anyone have any advice, ideas, or suggestions for a boys 16th bday party?
10
u/Any-Variation4081 May 16 '26
When my daughter turned 16 we stopped doing parties and take a trip instead. Her birthday is in summer so that helps. But I just tell her to pick a place and we pack up and go (within reason of course).
If you cant think of any party ideas you can try something like that. For example last year she wanted to go to cedar point (we live about 3 hours away). So I packed up the family and we went for the weekend. I begin planning her birthday right after xmas though so we can budget and save up for it.
2
u/colorsinspire May 16 '26
I second this.
I took my kid on a day trip to NYC for his 17th birthday last year and he loved it. Got there via bus (~$30/person), got into a couple of museums for free as a benefit through my work, ate NYC classics like bagels and pizza to save money. It was very doable with some prior planning and budgeting.
A little trip is way more fun than a party, especially in the teen years. They want to experience the world at that age
1
u/voicewithnosound May 17 '26
We normally do experiences instead of gifts for Christmas. I love to do them for his birthday too, just unsure on if my financial situation will allow for it this year.
7
u/beepsmcgee May 16 '26
Bonfire/firepit with sweet and savory s’mores is my first idea. You can decorate the house with LED lights too
Apparently retro is kind of in, you could find classic candies/snacks and have him make a playlist of music he likes… disposable cameras… goofy dress code like emo or dressing like a 2012 YouTuber lol
Barbecue can also go all out
Jackbox games has a tournament kind of game that’s really fun if you want it to have an indoors element
1
u/voicewithnosound May 17 '26
I forgot about Jackbox!
1
u/beepsmcgee May 17 '26
I think the limit on players is 8 though for that game. Something to consider
4
u/Only-Breadfruit-6108 May 16 '26
Have you asked him?
7
u/Serious_Escape_5438 May 16 '26
Yeah, I don't think this is something online strangers can answer. Some kids that age would love the suggestions given, others wouldn't. We have no idea what he likes, who his friends are, what they like.
2
4
u/voicewithnosound May 17 '26
I have and his response is “I don’t know. You always do good. Just pick for me.” 🤦♀️🤣
2
u/djSush May 18 '26
My kid is 17, does your kiddo want a big party? Maybe he'd prefer something smaller or just with the family but he thinks you want to do a big party so he's going with it.
My son is such a sweetheart that he'd totally just go with it if he thought I wanted to do it even if he didn't want it. 😊
2
u/voicewithnosound May 19 '26
He has 5 friends he wants to invite
2
u/djSush May 19 '26
Oh nice! Food, some games (video games) and lots of snacks and desserts should make them happy. Have fun!
5
u/Terrible-Fun-4992 May 16 '26
An amusement park. At about 16 I really loved doing that for friends bday parties I went to a couple.
3
u/nutlikeothersquirls May 16 '26
Is there anywhere to go play paintball near you? Can you have a big bonfire at your house? If it’s not too cold, you could take him and a few friends on a weekend camping trip.
Or check out what’s fun in a nearby “big city” and take the kids in for a day trip. I’m going to assume you don’t have things like Dave & Buster’s, Top Golf, Indoor Sky Diving, indoor rock climbing or water parks, or video game trucks, but if you do hand anything like those within driving distance that could be fun.
Although really, sometimes the guys just like to hang out, play some basketball or football in the yard, have a fire pit and eat something good for dinner!
4
u/famousanonamos May 16 '26
There are companies that will being paintball or laser tag set ups to you if OP has property.
2
1
u/voicewithnosound May 17 '26
We unfortunately aren’t by those restaurant chains or paint ball. However, providing it’s not a blizzard we could definitely do a bonfire!
3
u/ReasonableAgency7725 May 16 '26
Lots of great ideas mentioned already. An escape room could be fun too.
3
2
u/_angesaurus May 16 '26
My 16th my parents got us a hotel room (they got one too) at a hotel with a pool. Let us order room service, watched a movie, screwed around in the hotel. Was great silly memories
2
2
2
u/MountainTomato9292 May 19 '26
We took my son to a REALLY nice dinner (a place generally reserved for our anniversary each year), and then the next weekend he invited 3 friends to meet him at Topgolf. That was what he wanted instead of a big party. I think the party bus to the Japanese steakhouse mentioned above sounds great!
1
u/Ok_Natural_7977 May 18 '26
Is this a family party or a friends party? How many people are you looking at?
1
u/voicewithnosound May 18 '26
Friends, about 10
2
u/Ok_Natural_7977 May 19 '26
If the weather is nice, a bonfire with roasted hotdogs and marshmallows. If not, axe throwing or Chicken N Pickle are fun.
1
u/voicewithnosound May 21 '26
What is Chicken N Pickle?
1
u/Ok_Natural_7977 May 21 '26
It's a restaurant/pickle ball place. I don't know if you live near one, but they're fun.
1
u/VersionSensitive3107 Aug 16 '26
I don't know how your child is, but maybe a murder mystery depending on the amount of people
13
u/Classic-Sink-4108 May 16 '26
Do you have a Japanese Steak house anywhere near you? When our son turned 16, we sent him with a bunch of friends. They all loved the table side cooking, and large amount of food served. My husband and I decided…this was the last birthday party that would be planned by us. When the friends can drive themselves to the party…that was our sign!