Brilliant Winter Teenage Birthday Party Ideas That Teens Will Love

September 17, 2024

Planning a winter birthday party for a teenager can be daunting for the average parent. By the time your kids have reached their teen years, you will have been deemed uncooler than the most uncool person they know.

In fact, teens get the ick if you even utter the word 'cool'. So, how do you go about planning a teen party to end all teen parties, especially during the winter months, when options are more limited?

Clearly they are old enough to chime in with their ideas and you can easily mirror what other parents are doing for their teens. But what if you want to go your own way to come up with something that will be the talk of Snapchat?!

Well, with a little parental savvy, you can research your way to planning a winter party that feels cool (or whatever the latest buzzword for 'cool' is) and entertaining.

Whether you’re celebrating indoors or braving the cold for an outdoor party, here are some fab ideas to make the day stand out.

Winter Birthday Party Themes Teens Will Love

Let's start off taking a look at some of the most on-trend party themes to thrill your teenager on their birthday.

Bridgerton Style Tea Party

Now, granted, this Netflix hit show isn't suitable for younger teens, but the Bridgerton vibe is everywhere at the moment.

So, transport your teen and their friends back to the Regency era with a Bridgerton-inspired tea party! This elegant, period-style theme is perfect for those who love a bit of glamour and sophistication, with a modern twist.

Decorations: Think pastel tones, floral tablecloths, vintage teacups, and gold accents. Adorn the space with string lights, fresh flowers, and lace doilies for that perfect Bridgerton vibe.

Costumes: You don't have to go all out with a full on costume party, but you could encourage guests to come in fun accessories like tiaras, lace gloves, and fake pearls!

Food and Drink: Serve dainty finger sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, and a selection of pretty cupcakes. Pair it with a tea selection, or create mocktails like “Lady Whistledown’s Punch” for a modern twist.

Activities: Set up a DIY photo booth with Regency-inspired props for some fun photos, or introduce classic parlour games like charades. You could even add some Bridgerton-themed trivia to keep things interesting! Or grab a Tea Party Games bundle in the shop for 8 vintage styled but thoroughly modern games.

Neon Glow-in-the-Dark Party

Who doesn’t love a glow-in-the-dark party? This theme works perfectly for winter because you can make the most of the early sunsets and create a neon dream party indoors.

Decorations: Set up a blacklight area to make neon colours pop! Use glowing balloons, neon streamers, and fluorescent tableware to add to the atmosphere.

Costumes: Encourage guests to wear neon or white clothing to glow under the lights. Face paint stations with neon colours will be a hit.

Music: Get a DJ or create a killer playlist with upbeat tracks to keep the energy going.

Winter Wonderland Masquerade

Add a touch of elegance and mystery with a Winter Wonderland Masquerade. Teens can enjoy the fun of dressing up while keeping things cool and magical with winter-inspired décor and masks.

Decorations: Think icy blues, silvers, fairy lights, and snowflake decorations to transform your space into a wintry dreamland. Add some glittery masks at the entrance for guests to choose from.

Costumes: Make it a fancy dress event with winter-themed outfits, or keep it simple with masks and casual party wear.

Music: Stick to some elegant background music, or bring it up a notch with party hits as the night goes on.

Ski Lodge Theme

This idea is the winter equivalent of having a beach party in the backyard... bring the ski resort vibe home with a Ski Lodge party! Perfect for teens who love the idea of a cosy, wintery getaway with friends.

Decorations: Create a ski lodge feel with faux fur throws, rustic wooden décor, and twinkling lights. Set up a fake ski lift or signage pointing to 'hot cocoa bar' and 'fireplace lounge' areas.

Costumes: Encourage guests to come dressed in their winter woollies—hats, scarves, and puffer jackets—or even ski gear if they want to fully embrace the theme.

Music: Keep it fun and chill with upbeat pop or alternative hits to create a cosy, relaxed vibe.

Vintage Hollywood Glam Party

For teens who love a bit of drama and flair, a Vintage Hollywood Glam Party is a brilliant way to celebrate in style. Now of course, what's vintage for you might not be what's vintage for them... so be fully prepared for vintage to be styled as 80s or 90s glam!!

Decorations: Roll out a red carpet, hang string lights, and use glamorous gold and black accents. Add some star decorations, and don’t forget a photo backdrop for those Instagram-worthy moments.

Costumes: Encourage teens to dress as old-school Hollywood stars (or 80s or 90s stars!) or just add some glam with fancy dresses and suits.

Music: Play some retro tunes for a vintage feel, then switch to modern party hits as the night progresses.

Winter TV/Film-Themed Party

Pick a popular winter-themed TV show or movie as the inspiration for the party. Whether it's based on a hit Netflix series or a magical film, this will get teens excited!

I'm thinking Game Of Thrones (Oooh Jon Snow... winter is coming!!) or Stranger Things!!

Decorations: Tailor the decor to the chosen show or film. For example, go with enchanted winter forests for a fantasy show or vintage snow globes and ski gear for a holiday film.

Costumes: Ask guests to dress up as their favourite characters from the series or movie.

Music: Use the soundtrack from the show or film to bring the theme to life.

Winter Party Venues

Now, if you don't fancy hosting a bunch of teenagers at home (as in,you have your sanity in tact) you might want to host it at a venue.

Clearly, you can rent a local hall or party venue. But here are some more creative venue ideas to give full on winter vibes:

Ice Rink Party: If your teen loves ice skating, book time at a local ice rink. Some rinks offer party packages with decorations, food, and even instructors to help out.
Indoor Activity Centre: For a high-energy party, indoor trampoline parks or adventure centres are a hit with teens, especially in the winter months when outdoor activities are limited.
Escape Room: Book a group escape room experience where teens can work together to solve puzzles and beat the clock. It’s an engaging way to keep everyone entertained.
Book a Private Area at a Restaurant: For a more laid-back celebration, book a private area at a local restaurant. Choose a teen-friendly menu, and add some wintery decorations to make it special.

Winter Party Activities and Games for Teens

Here's the skinny on activities and games that always go down a treat with teens.

Indoor Activities and Games

Karaoke: Set up a karaoke station and let teens show off their singing skills! You can create a competition or just let them sing their favourite songs throughout the party.
Winter Warmer Spa Sleepover/Day: A relaxed option, perfect for teens who love a bit of pampering. Set up a DIY spa with face masks, nail stations, and cosy robes. Follow it up with hot chocolate and a film marathon. Read through my list of 57 pamper party ideas for teens to create a dream-like spa party experience for your teen and their pals. Ooh and you can grab the Spa Party Bundle of 15 games in the shop.
Winter Movie Night: Turn your living room into a cinema! Lay down blankets and pillows, serve popcorn, and play a mix of winter-themed movies. Create a voting system beforehand so everyone can choose their favourites.
Escape Room Challenge: Turn a room into an escape challenge with puzzles and clues to solve. You can buy ready-made kits or create your own winter-themed escape room.
Minute to Win It Games: Add a competitive edge with quick, fun games that teens can complete in under a minute. Create wintery versions like a “snowball toss” (using cotton balls) or "build a snowman" with toilet paper rolls. Or take a look at my roundup of 17 Brilliantly fun party games for teens. Junk In The Trunk is my favourite on the list!
Teen Indoor Party Treasure Hunt: Keep teens engaged with a treasure hunt designed just for indoor parties. It’s perfect for adding excitement without the mess. You can find our printable Teen Indoor Party Treasure Hunt game in the shop, which is easy to download and set up in minutes!

Outdoor Activities and Games

Winter Bonfire & S'mores: If you have the outdoor space, a bonfire is a great way to create a wintery, cosy vibe. Set up a s’mores station and let the teens toast marshmallows while chatting around the fire.
Winter Scavenger Hunt: Create a winter-themed scavenger hunt with hidden clues and fun prizes. Make it challenging but fun, encouraging teams to work together to complete tasks.
Outdoor Winter Game Stations: Set up fun stations like a “snowball toss” (using soft balls) or a “sledge race” with makeshift sleds on wheels. Teens can compete in groups and rotate through the stations.

Winter Party Food and Drink Ideas

And now we get to the meat in the party sandwich... the party food and drink! Food and drink 'stations' are having a moment according to Pinterest, so go larger on creating DIY stations.

Hot Chocolate Bar with Toppings: Let guests customise their hot chocolate with whipped cream, marshmallows, candy canes, sprinkles, and syrups.
DIY Pizza Station: Teens will love making their own mini pizzas. Stack up the bases, then set up toppings like pepperoni, veggies, and cheese, and let everyone customise their own creation.
Snowflake Shaped Cookies and Cupcakes: Add a wintry twist to your dessert table with snowflake-shaped treats. You can make them at home or buy pre-made kits for guests to decorate.
Mocktail Station for Teens: Create a fun and alcohol-free drinks station with mocktails. Ideas include:
- Cranberry Spritz: A festive mix of cranberry juice, soda water, and a twist of lime.
- Winter Wonderland Punch: A mix of white grape juice, sparkling water, and a hint of mint syrup, served in frosted glasses.
Giant Comfort Food Snack Board: Snack Boards are epically popular at the moment. So go for it by creating a giant board with mini comfort foods like mac ‘n’ cheese bites, mini sliders, cheesy nachos, and hot wings. It’s an easy way to offer a variety of snacks in one go. Take a look at my roundup of snack board ideas for teens over on our sister site, Mums Make Lists.

With these wintry party ideas, you’ve got everything you need to throw a celebration your teen and their friends will rave about. From karaoke showdowns to winter scavenger hunts and hot chocolate bars, the fun is endless, no matter the weather.

So, get planning and create a party that’ll be the talk of SnapChat! You might even score some “cool parent” points along the way. Pun intended.

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