There’s not a more important birthday than an 18th. It’s the day most kids mark as the entrance to adulthood and all the privileges that come with it. Make sure they celebrate the major life event right by planning the perfect birthday party. If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve got you covered. Check out our 18th birthday party ideas below.
Shop Trending Categories
Jump to:
- Things To Do For 18th Birthday Parties
- Unique 18th Birthday Party Ideas
- 18th Birthday Party Ideas For Guys
- 18th Birthday Party Ideas For Girls
- Small 18th Birthday Party Ideas
- Surprise 18th Birthday Party Ideas
- Ideas For 18th Birthday Party At Home
Things To Do For 18th Birthday Parties
So you’ve started planning an 18th birthday party. Before you get down to the details, it’s important to have a game plan. Kick-off your party planning with the following tips.
- If it’s not a surprise, ask what the guest of honor wants for a party. Take into consideration whether they want a smaller or larger party, or if they want to go out or stay in.
- Come up with a special theme for the party based on what the honoree likes.
- Plan your guest list. Make sure you have all the most important people to the birthday person included.
- Send out your birthday invites early. Plan to send invites out three to five weeks in advance. If you send out invitations too late, some guests might not be able to make it. Also, make sure to include all the important information on the invites. This includes the who, what, when, where, and why of the party. For more details, check out our resource on what to include in party invitations or our guide on party invitation wording.
- Gather all the needed party supplies and decorations. The decor makes or breaks a party, so make sure to put some thought in your choices.
- Put the whole thing together. Get friends or family to help so that you can enjoy the party planning together.
- Have fun, it’s a party after all!
Unique 18th Birthday Party Ideas
Is the birthday guest a one-of-a-kind person? Showcase what makes them special with a unique birthday party idea. These ideas are sure to show the honoree how much they mean to you.
Cooking Class
If the guest of honor is a genius in the kitchen, celebrate what makes them so great with a cooking class party. Choose anything from pasta to sushi making courses and bring friends and family along. This is an especially tasty idea, and no one’s left hungry, plus you can send guests home with customized plates at a party favor.
Scavenger Hunt
Throw a scavenger hunt party for the honoree. Feature something unique about them in each clue, with the destination being their actual birthday party. This is fun, active, and inexpensive to create.
Breakfast for Dinner Party
Is the birthday boy or girl an especially big fan of breakfast? Then throw a breakfast for dinner party. Ask all guests to come dressed in PJ’s and feature plenty of bacon, waffles, and pancakes.
18th Birthday Party Ideas For Guys
The birthday guy is finally legal and you’re ready to let the whole world know. Throw a party fitting for someone just like him with these 18th birthday ideas for guys.
Firework Party
Did you know that you can’t buy fireworks until you’re 18? Make the new freedom the center of your birthday party by including fireworks. Feature plenty of other explosive colors to carry the theme. However, make sure that the fireworks are legal at your venue, and that you warn any neighbors who live close by.
Zombie Tag
This is a perfect outdoor activity for an 18th birthday party. Designate the starting zombie and start the rest of the party guests as human. With only the humans allowed to run and a marked off game area, have the zombie try to tag other guests. If a human is tagged, they become a zombie. Make sure to provide face paint for the turned zombies. The game ends when there’s only one survivor left.
Sports Party
Decorate the food with the honoree’s favorite sport. This means football cupcakes or baseball pizza. Incorporate the sports memorabilia into the rest of the party decor. Also, feature the sport as a game for the party in an open yard or space outside.
18th Birthday Party Ideas For Girls
It’s a special girl’s big day and you want to kick off her adulthood with a perfect party. Check out the following ideas for something that will fit her to a “T.”
Mocktail Party
She’s still got three years left to go before the legal drinking age, but that won’t stop you from throwing the perfect birthday party. Feature a mocktail making party to get the festivities started, and for inspiration, check out our resource on birthday party mocktail recipes.
Adventure Party
The birthday girl is one of the bravest people you know, and you want to highlight this in her party. Throw an adventure party by taking a small group to do something fun and exciting like a kayaking trip, hiking adventure, or even skydiving. The sky’s the limit for this party theme.
Photo Booth Party
If the birthday girl is a selfie queen throw a photo booth party. Gather fun decorations like boas, hats, and quote signs that read “Happy Birthday (Name)” and set up a decorative background, lighting, and a photographer. Then let the guests go wild and create memories for years to come.
Small 18th Birthday Party Ideas
Some birthday guests of honor don’t want a big party, instead they love small celebrations with their loved ones. Here’s a few ideas for small 18th birthday parties that are perfect for a birthday party with close friends and family.
Dinner Party
If the birthday boy or girl has a favorite restaurant, this is often a perfect option. It’s a great way to have an intimate dinner with loved ones that’s still focused around the honoree. Friends, family, and food– there’s few better birthdays.
Game Night
If there’s a tight knit group of friends and family celebrating an 18th birthday, consider throwing a game night party. Feature plenty of party games, including the honoree’s favorites. Enjoy a night filled with laughter and fun.
Escape Room
Escape room parties are perfect for small groups. These venues are for groups of four to 12 people who want a fun challenge. They can last up to two hours, and make for memorable nights.
Surprise 18th Birthday Party Ideas
Are you hoping to surprise the birthday guest with something special? If so, consider the following surprise 18th birthday party ideas. Just make sure to send out surprise party invites beforehand so guests don’t spoil the surprise.
Concert Surprise
Thrill the birthday boy or girl with unexpected tickets to their favorite band (or sports game). This is sure to bring a smile to their face and build lasting memories of their 18th.
Camping Out
Surprise the honoree by taking them to an unexpected weekend in the woods if they love the outdoors. Alternatively, fill your backyard with camping gear, stream lights, and a movie set up if you can’t get out of town.
Time Hop
Transform your house into something from the past. Pick the honoree’s favorite decade and decorate the venue with decor, food and drinks to match, then ask guests to come in costume. When the birthday guest walks through the door they’ll find themselves magically transported back in time.
Ideas For 18th Birthday Party At Home
There’s no place like home, especially when it comes to 18th birthday parties. Make the most of your space with these party ideas.
Movie Marathon Party
Is the birthday honoree a movie fanatic? If so feature a movie marathon of their favorite flicks. Include popcorn, pillows, blankets, and all their friends. And once the movie’s over, this party easily rolls into a slumber party.
Pizza Making Party
Pizza making parties are a perfect way to incorporate food and fun. Set up a toppings station and buy pre-made dough (or make it from scratch) to get started, then make sure to take a photo of everyone’s creations before they’re eaten.
Costume Party
Costume parties have no limit to creativity. Use inspiration from the honoree’s hobbies or pick a unique theme, just make sure that all guests know to show up in costume.
Other Resources for an 18th Birthday Party
If you liked our 18th birthday party ideas you may also like these additional birthday guides:
- Birthday Wishes and What to Write in a Birthday Card
- Religious Birthday Messages for Friends and Family
- Birthday Party Food Ideas
And don’t forget the enjoy the party you spent all this time planning. An 18th birthday is an important event that you don’t want to forget.
