Thread: What can I do for a boy's 16th birthday party?

I've been so busy planning dh's 50th birthday party that I really haven't done much for my son. Their birthdays are just a week apart so I'm having a surprise party for them together. I've been totally focused on the 50th, I haven't done much for the 16th. For dh, I got black balloons and streamers. I burned a cd of songs that were popular back in 1959, the year he was born. But I'm at a standstill for Justin. Do boys celebrate "sweet 16"? I do have some colorful "Happy Birthday" balloons and saw some with his name on that I plan on getting. He has no interest in driving, so anything car or gas card related won't work. What else can I do? We have a few yard games (ladderball, jarts, the thing where you toss rings onto a post) that I will have out for people to play. We're having supper here, cake and ice cream and then when it gets dark we'll have s'mores around the campfire. Oh, and the party is in a little over a week, Saturday the 27th.

Is this a party for family only? Or are friends invited?

ringtoss for a bunch of 16 year old boys? No way Jose! I would have him pick out a favorite movie playing, tell him he can invite X number of guy friends, and drop him off. Or if you have a beach/lake/pool nearby instead, I would let them spend the day doing that. Guys definately do not do sweet 16. Most of them do not like balloons or any of that girlie stuff. At age 16 they are trying their best to become "manly men". Better yet, why don't you ask him what he wants to do?

Mostly family, close and extended, and several family friends, dh's boss and co-workers. I did invite a few of Justin's friends, but just a few, maybe 7 or 8. This is a surprise party for both of them. They both know about it, but think it is for each other. Unless you read my post in V&W, how dh might already know about it.

Actually the yard games is for everyone, not just the 16 year old friends. There will be people here of all ages, from infants to elderly.

Well I am in shock that a 16 yr old boy is not interested in driving to start with! LOL

I was thinking if you live in a good area to maybe have the ones from his age group do a scavenger hunt of sorts to get them away from "the old folks". What everyone said is right for most kids I know they are going to want to do their own thing, video games, movies, music etc.

A 16 yr old boy? Invite alot of girls lol.

That would have made my DS happy!
But there is no way he would have let me throw him a party. Unless maybe it was at the sportsmans club and shooting was involved. Or mudding with his buddies in their 4X4's.

Is there any way the teens could all hang out for a while then be driven to something like cosmic bowling, go cart track or some other venue? I know you won't want to leave the party, but perhaps someone could volunteer to drive them?

If not, set up a casino night for them in your basement with cards on tables.

That said, the scavenger hunt seems like an excellent idea, posted by DBack.