The Best Theme Ideas For a Sweet 16 Birthday

What birthday themes do teens like? Get started here with these theme ideas and see what inspires you the most. A sweet sixteen is an important coming-of-age party that recognizes an individual’s growth and achievements while reaching young adulthood.

However– sixteen also comes with a lot of responsibilities including a driver’s license and the SATs, so your teen deserves a fun party in the meantime. Celebrate in style with these sweet sixteen-party ideas before it’s time to get serious about life’s big responsibilities.

1. Karaoke

Rent a karaoke machine, send out invitations that look like concert tickets, tell everyone to dress up as rock stars, hand out temporary tattoos, put cans of colored hairspray for the kids to use with each other, and serve them any kind of food you'd expect to see behind the scenes, like pizza or tacos.

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2. Hollywood

Send star-shaped invitations to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, set up a red carpet area where kids can take pictures alongside life-size cardboard cutouts of their kids' favorite stars, show a movie on a screen Live outdoors and encourage everyone to wear down coats and sunglasses.

3. Masquerade Ball

Ask guests to put on costumes and give everyone a mask when they arrive. Children should wear masks when yelling "surprise" when the guest of honor enters. Serve a masquerade-themed cake and send everyone home with a mask-shaped cookie in a cellophane bag as a favor.

4. Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland parties can be quirky and fun. Set up an elaborate, colorful table for the tea party. Make cupcake blankets that say "eat me" and put labels around the juice bottles that say "drink me." Designate a table where children can play cards, such as BlackJack.

The cake can be in the shape of a three-dimensional rabbit and matte white. Hang a pocket watch around the rabbit's neck. For more inspiration from Alice in Wonderland, check out the Mad Hatter Tea Party designed by party planner The TomKat Studio.

5. Under the sea

For invitations, send shells with details of the party written on the plain side. Decorate your home with fishing nets, pirate treasure chests, and rubber lobsters. Host the beach or pool party if possible. Serve an ocean-themed cake.

6. Paris

Decorate your home in pink, cream, and other pastel colors. Play romantic French music. Print black and white photos of Paris from your computer and turn them into ornaments. For more inspiration, watch the "I Want Candy" scene from the 2006 film Marie Antionette.

7. Decade

Choose a decade to celebrate, such as the 1920s, 1950s, 1960s, 70s, or 80s. Ask guests to dress appropriately and then serve food that suits the season (burgers and shakes for the children's party theme from the 1950s, for example).

Once you've chosen a theme, you can turn your attention to details, including gifts. You may find that having a concept to focus on helps the rest of the details (such as the color scheme, menu, decorations, favors) fit into place, resulting in the perfect theme party.