While many teens fear looking childish, most of them still enjoy lively, silly or challenging party games. Long after your party decorations have been recycled and the leftover snacks have gone stale, guests will still remember the games and activities from your teen’s birthday party. Put away that Pin the Tail on the Donkey poster and set the stage for some age-appropriate and fun teen party games.
Types
Races work well at teen parties. Try relay races with players holding eggs in spoons, putting on outfits over their clothing or pushing bobbing apples, using only their faces, across a wading pool. Swimming games, such as pool volleyball and Marco Polo, remain popular favorites. Group activities, like a large-scale scavenger hunt or treasure hunt, keep the mood festive and encourage teamwork. Some games, such as laser tag, paintball or solving a murder mystery, are large-scale enough to serve as the overall theme for a teenage birthday party.
Features
Teen party games have more twists, turns and strategizing than those for younger children do. Try a game like Killer, in which a secret “it” winks at victims who die, until the remaining players successfully accuse the killer. Complicated role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons or Magic work well, if the guests share that interest.
Function
Many games for teens involve more creativity and drama than determining winners and losers. In Fact or Fiction, a leader announces three statements, two of which are true and one of which is a lie. Players must vote on which statements are facts and which are fiction. Teen party games may also bring out the artist in your guests. Host a fashion show, an evening of improvisational theater games, a karaoke sing-off or a dance contest.
Time Frame
A coed group of teenagers of varying levels of maturity will not stick with a game beyond 30 minutes, but a similar-minded group of teens can pursue an activity for the length of the party, especially if supplied with ample food and beverages.
Considerations
Mix up your teen birthday party plans by interspersing structured games, like Capture the Flag and Truth or Dare, with less structured, fun activities like a Jello-eating contest or a challenge to do makeovers while blindfolded. Keep supplies on hand for doing crafts, drawing, taking photographs or doing tie-dye shirts.
Photo Credit
- cupcakes image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
