8 Tween Birthday Party Themes She Will Love

Stumped on what tween birthday party themes your daughter will think is “cool”? I get it! Planning a party for the tween crowd can be intimidating!

As mom to a tween daughter (plus a teen and toddler!), I have faced this dilemma more than once. Tweens can be a tricky age group to entertain. They’ve moved beyond old standby party games that worked when they were younger, but they’re not yet old enough to fully keep themselves occupied.

Maybe you are petrified at the thought of trying to come up with enough activities they will actually enjoy to fill up the party time. Trust me. I’ve been there! And I have a few tricks up my sleeve to share with you today.

In this post, I’ll give you 8 tween birthday party theme ideas. As a bonus, I’ll share my activity ideas for each so you aren’t left wondering what to do next. Take away some of that party planning stress with a rough itinerary to implement.

My goal is to help you plan this tween bday party like a pro! In that spirit, picked my favorites for an invitation, a feature decoration, and party favor. Three decisions made for you!

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1. Hollywood Glam

Hollywood Glam is a twist on the popular spa birthday party. Instead of pink and purple, channel your inner Ava Gardner and go for black, gold, and crystal. Think high drama – feathers, faux fur, velvet, and pretty much anything with a high gloss.

Glamor stations are the main activity for this tween party theme – manicure, makeup, and hair. Enlist some help from your mom, sister, best friend, etc. to pull it off so you can have several stations running at the same time.

Keep each station simple:

Manicure: paint only (one coat with quick dry formula!)

Makeup: lip gloss, touches of glitter

Hair: bun or braid

Buy mini sizes of each item so the girls can have their own and take them home. Maybe give them a small cosmetic pouch so they have a place to store their goodies as they rotate through.

Break the kids into two groups, and have one group rotating through the glamor stations, and another making a craft. Of course the craft needs to be on theme! How about adding rhinestone gems to a mirror and brush? These can double as party favors!

Hollywood Glam Party Outline

Give everyone a feather boa and cosmetic bag when they arrive. Bonus points for having a red carpet!
Rotate through glamor stations – manicure, makeup, hair
Have the girls pick accessories from a box with thrift store finds – gloves, crystal necklaces, sunglasses, etc.
Now that they are silver screen ready, play an acting game – team skits, karaoke, etc.
Finish the party with snacks, cake, and presents!

Get Started on this Tween Birthday Party Theme

Editable Hollywood Glam Birthday Invitation by Lily Girl Paper

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2. Parisian Painting Party

Let’s give a painting party a French twist! Oh la la!

In this tween birthday fete, your guests will love painting at easels (possibly outside if the weather cooperates!?). Add berets, striped smocks, and French music to set the mood.

I recommend bringing in an expert to help lead the painting project. Whether it’s an artist friend or a painting party business, you need someone who can guide the girls to create a masterpiece! Or you can buy a pre-drawn canvas so they can paint in the lines.

As a decor focal point, add a patisserie dessert cart. You may be able to rent one locally. If not, Etsy is a great resource! Fill it with pretty cake stands of pastel macaroons and petit fours.

Parisian Painting Party Outline

Give each guest a red beret and black and white striped apron or smock when they get to the party
Let each guest pick their own French name, and then teach them a few basic phrases (hi, my name is, thank you, goodbye, etc.)
Do the painting project at individual an easel, canvas, and paint supplies
Show off paintings at a gallery (a.k.a. photo booth)
Bonus points for a guest appearance of a poodle or frenchie for the photo session!
Serve meal or snack (French fries, anyone!?) at “Cafe de [insert birthday girl’s name]”
Make dessert an activity unto itself with a walk-up patisserie cart
Open gifts, and then voila! Party over.

Get Started on this Tween Birthday Party Theme

Passport to Paris Birthday Invitation by Gibb Co Studio

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3. Glamping Party

Happy trails! This camp inspired tween birthday party theme is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.

Hiking, zip lining, rock wall climbing, or kayaking are perfect main activities. Once your main activity is over, bring your guests back to the birthday girl’s home (a.k.a. base camp) to keep the celebration going!

At home, have a cute outdoor camp area set up. Use open flap tee-pee tents with blankets and pillows for lounging. If you want to take it over the top, rent an Airstream and set up picnic tables for seating!

Glamping Party Outline

Go to a destination for an outdoor adventure (hike, zip line, climbing, kayaking, etc.)
Return to the birthday girl’s home and hang out in a cute backyard camp area
Organize teams for yard games
Serve a camp-inspired meal (i.e. roast hot dogs over a bonfire)
S’mores make the perfect dessert (read this post about how to set up an adorable s’mores station)
Wrap up the party with presents and favors

Get Started on this Tween Birthday Party Theme

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Personalized Flashlight by MacKenzie Boutique

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4. Extreme Bake Off

Binge watch Kids Baking Championship for a quick study on how to organize this super sweet tween birthday party theme!

Set up tables outside or create stations in your kitchen. Prepare a two baking challenges and run them gameshow style. Pick one challenge that requires an oven, and one that does not.

For the challenge that requires an oven, how about cupcakes inspired by the the guests favorite vacation? Have the basic ingredients pre-measured. Then, offer some ingredients to customize.

Food imposters is one of my daughter’s favorite challenge on the show. This is where you create a sweet treat made to look like a savory dish, which you can do as your second challenge. Ask the guests to create a cookie sandwich that looks like their favorite thing to eat between two slices of bread!

Don’t forget judges! Ask your best friend, grandma, or favorite aunt to taste test. Obviously, everyone should feel good about their creation. No tears! This is just for fun!

Extreme Bake Off Party Outline

Give guests aprons as they arrive
Organize everyone into baking stations and bake!
After baking, serve a meal (bonus points for a playlist with a sweets theme as background music!)
For dessert, offer samples of what everyone created during the bake off
Wrap up the party with presents and favors

Get Started on this Tween Birthday Party Theme

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5. VSCO Girl Party

Don’t know what “sksksksk” and “oh my oop” mean? You will before you’re finished planning a VSCO party!

This party is all about everything tweens love rolled into one umbrella theme! Think tie dye, scrunchies, Polaroid cameras (the cute ones!), Birkenstocks, Hydroflasks, Crocks, Starbucks, and more.

Tie dye t-shirts or pillow cases is probably the best main activity for this party. Set up several tie dye stations so all guests can create at the same time. There are tons of tie dye kits out there to make this a little easier on you!

Etsy is a wealth of printable party games in just about every theme imaginable, including VSCO. Games like “This or That” and “Who Knows the Birthday Girl Best” will keep the girls entertained!

VSCO Girl Party Outline

Start the party with a tie dye activity (t-shirts, pillow cases)
Play printable party games
Serve pizza
Open presents
Have cake
Pass out favors

Get Started on this Tween Birthday Theme

VSCO Party Invitation by Little Legal Designs

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VSCO Girl Party Favor Straw Tags by Little Legal Designs

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6. Classic Sleepover

One of the easiest tween birthday party themes is the classic sleepover.

To keep the guests entertained, plan a craft. Melty beads or friendship bracelets are easy go-tos that will keep them busy for a while!

Another idea is to go on a field trip at the beginning of the trip to fill some time. Mini golf, trampoline center, laser tag, and pottery painting to name a few options.

Classic Sleepover Birthday Party Theme Outline

Guests arrive
Go on field trip (mini golf, trampoline center, etc.)
Return home for pizza, cake, and presents
Crafts
Movie and popcorn
Lights out!

Get Started on this Tween Birthday Theme

Galaxy Slumber Party Invitation by Pixel Perfection Party

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Sleepover Birthday Party Favors by Plum Polka Dot

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7. Aloha Pool Party

If your daughter has a summer birthday (or you have access to an indoor pool year round), a pool party is a great theme option. Other than close supervision, there is little you will have to do to entertain everyone! Coordinate one or two games, such as float relay races in the water and limbo outside the water, to keep the party feeling cohesive.

Extra towels, plenty of sunscreen, and lots of bottled water to go around are a good idea to have on hand!

Pool Party Theme Outline

Give guests matching sunglasses and floats (if allowed at your pool) or beach balls as they arrive
Swimming and games
Serve a Hawaiian inspired meal and beverages
Open presents, serve cake, distribute favors

Get Started on this Tween Birthday Theme

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8. Broadway Musical Party

Have a drama queen who loves theater? Throw her a broadway themed party New York style!

Bring in an experts from a local theater company to teach the birthday girl and guests stage basic acting skills. Other filler game ideas – “name that show tune” and charades – which is pretty much guaranteed some laughs!

Of course, the menu can be all about classic New York street food – pizza, pretzels, deli sandwiches, etc. Make them mini so everyone can try a bite of each!