What Should I Do for My 13th Birthday? Plans for Ages 13 to 17

Five birthday plans for ages 13 to 17 per press, each with group size, cost and what a parent books.

Time capsule party: every guest adds one thing4 to 10 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Find a lidded box, and set the opening for graduation day.
Backyard campout with tents and flashlights3 to 6 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Borrow tents; a parent sleeps within earshot.
Sealed letters saved for the day you turn eighteenFamily and close friends. Cost: free. A parent collects the letters and keeps the box.
Taco bar dinner for the whole friend group4 to 10 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. A parent shops; each guest brings one topping.
Sunset picnic with a dessert-only menu4 to 8 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. A parent drives and waits nearby until dark.

Next step Pick a theme for the party Fill the rest of the day with an activity

How it works

Asking what should I do for my 13th birthday? The page opens on five plans for turning 13 to 17. Each line gives how many people it suits, a cost band, and what a parent has to book or drive to.

Read the full guide

Narrow it to your birthday

The menus under the button narrow the draw by birthday and by cost; More filters adds where and who with. The 13th, 15th and 16th each hold plans written for that age plus plans that fit any of them. Lock a plan you like and press again to replace the rest.

What the cost words mean

Free uses what the household already has. Low means snacks or supplies. Medium means a ticket or a meal out for each guest. High means a hall, a trip or a show. They are our estimates, not prices.

Tips

Show a parent the end of the line first: it says what they would need to book or drive to.

Questions and answers

What should I do for my 15th birthday?

Choose 15th in the Birthday menu. It holds plans written for fifteen, such as Fifteen chairs, one long table, one big pot, and a quinceañera, the Latin American celebration of a girl's 15th birthday, next to plans that fit any teen year.

What should I do for my 16th birthday?

Choose 16th. You might draw Sweet sixteen dinner party with place cards, Sixteen friends at one long picnic table or Passenger's choice road trip: a parent drives. No plan depends on the birthday teen driving.

What should I get for my 13th birthday?

This page picks things to do, not presents. For gift ideas to ask for, try what should I put on my list; its ideas suit a birthday list too.

What can I do for my birthday at home for free?

Set Cost to Free and Where to At home. You get plans such as Blanket fort big enough for everyone, Friendship quiz: how well do they know you or Radio show recorded with friends, and each says Nothing to book.

All 159 birthday plans

At home 93

A letter from each relative on becoming a teenager The family. Cost: free. A parent asks relatives a month ahead; read them at dinner.
A tree or pot planted to measure every birthday The household. Cost: low. A parent drives to the garden store; photograph it beside you each year.
Baby picture restaged with the whole family The household. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Find the old photo and match the clothes and the spot.
Backyard campout with tents and flashlights 3 to 6 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Borrow tents; a parent sleeps within earshot.
Bake-off with three judges and one recipe 4 to 8 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. Everyone bakes the same recipe; a parent stays near the oven.
Bead and jewelry making afternoon 3 to 8 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. Buy a bead mix and elastic cord a few days ahead.
Birthday potluck where each relative brings one dish 8 to 20 relatives. Cost: free. Nothing to book. A parent invites the family two weeks ahead.
Birthday-eve sleepover that ends at thirteen 2 to 4 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. A parent agrees a midnight toast with juice, then lights out.

Show all 159 birthday plans (151 more)

At home, continued

Blanket fort big enough for everyone 3 to 6 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Collect every sheet, cushion and clothespin in the house.
Blindfolded snack tasting contest 4 to 8 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. Ask about allergies first, then buy ten small snacks.
Book club birthday: one short book, one long table 4 to 8 friends. Cost: free. Pick the book a month ahead; borrow copies from the library.
Brain teaser night with a riddle at every seat 4 to 8 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Print one riddle per place card and one for the whole table.
Breakfast in bed, then your pick of the day The household. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Tell a parent your order the night before.
Brunch for your fifteen favorite people Fifteen guests. Cost: low. Nothing to book. Send invitations three weeks ahead; serve juice and waffles.
Build day: a shelf, a birdhouse or a model kit 2 to 3 people. Cost: low. A parent buys the kit and handles any tool with a blade.
Cake you bake yourself, with a parent as assistant 2 to 3 people. Cost: low. Nothing to book. Choose the recipe a week ahead; the parent runs the oven.
Card game night with a foil trophy 3 to 8 people. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Pick three games everyone knows and crown one winner.
Clue trail around the block for two rival teams 6 to 12 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. A parent sets the boundary streets and the finish time.
Collage night: a poster for the year ahead 3 to 8 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Save old magazines and buy one glue stick per guest.
Comic or zine made together in one sitting 2 to 6 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Fold paper into booklets and give each guest two pages.
Cookie decorating contest with secret judges 4 to 10 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. Bake the cookies ahead and number each plate.
Costume dinner: come as a book character 4 to 10 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Send the dress code two weeks ahead; no one has to buy a thing.
Decorate-your-own cupcake table 4 to 10 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. Bake plain cupcakes the day before and set out toppings.
Family cook-off: two teams, one secret ingredient 4 to 8 relatives. Cost: low. Nothing to book. A parent names the ingredient and referees the stove.
Family game night where you set every rule The household. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Choose the games, the teams and the snack.
Fancy lemonade bar with fruit and paper umbrellas 4 to 10 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. Buy lemons, soda water and berries the day before.
Fifteen chairs, one long table, one big pot Fifteen guests. Cost: low. Nothing to book. Borrow tables and chairs; a parent cooks one big dish.
Fifteen songs, fifteen dances playlist party 6 to 15 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Choose the fifteen songs with your guests a week ahead.
Fifteen-minute rounds: a new game every quarter hour 6 to 12 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. List eight games and put a timer where all can see.
Film night with paper tickets and a snack table 4 to 8 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Guests vote on two films; a parent agrees the pickup time.
Fondue night with fruit and bread 4 to 6 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. A parent handles the hot pot and the stove.
Formal dance in a decorated garage 10 to 20 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. Borrow lights and a speaker; parents stay in the house.
Friendship bracelet afternoon with a playlist 3 to 8 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. Buy thread and beads a few days ahead.
Friendship quiz: how well do they know you 4 to 10 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Write twenty questions about yourself, all kind.
Garage obstacle course built from what is on hand 4 to 8 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Use cones, ropes on the ground and boxes; nothing to climb.
Garden party with a rented photo booth 15 to 30 guests. Cost: high. A parent books the booth a month ahead and hosts the adults.
Garden party with string lights and finger food 8 to 20 people. Cost: low. Nothing to book. Borrow lights and tables; a parent hosts the adults.
Glow-stick tag in the yard after dark 6 to 12 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. Buy glow sticks; a parent sets the yard as the boundary.
Grandparent interview recorded on your birthday You and a grandparent. Cost: free. Arrange the visit or call ahead and write ten questions.
Grandparent teaches you the dish everyone asks for 2 to 4 people. Cost: low. Ask the grandparent ahead; a parent shops for the ingredients.
Hallway paper plane league with a distance line 3 to 8 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Mark distances with tape and award farthest and funniest.
Home spa night with face masks and fuzzy socks 3 to 6 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. Buy sheet masks; ask guests to bring a robe.
Home video night: old birthdays on the big screen The household. Cost: free. Nothing to book. A parent digs out the clips a week ahead.
Homemade escape room set by a parent or sibling 3 to 6 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Someone at home hides the clues the night before.
Indoor picnic and a nature documentary 2 to 8 people. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Spread blankets on the floor and pack the food in baskets.
Jam session: bring an instrument or a pot 3 to 8 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Pick two easy songs ahead and warn the household.
Kite building and flying afternoon 3 to 8 friends. Cost: low. A parent drives to an open field away from power lines.
Learn-a-craft party taught by a relative 3 to 6 friends. Cost: low. Ask the relative two weeks ahead and buy yarn or clay for each guest.
Lip-sync contest with homemade costumes 5 to 12 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Guests choose songs ahead so no two acts match.
Living-room karaoke with a hairbrush microphone 4 to 10 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Line up the lyric videos ahead and warn the neighbors.
Living-room talent show with a sign-up sheet 5 to 12 people. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Post the sheet a week ahead so acts can rehearse.
Look-back slideshow made by friends and family 6 to 20 guests. Cost: free. A parent gathers one photo from each guest two weeks ahead.
Memory jar: sixteen notes from sixteen people Sixteen writers. Cost: free. A parent collects the notes over the month before.
New-teen room refresh: one wall, one shelf, one lamp You and a parent. Cost: medium. Plan it together two weeks ahead; the parent drives to the store.
No-set-bedtime night, limit agreed in advance The household. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Agree the limit with a parent before the day.
Noodle bar with five toppings and chopstick races 4 to 8 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. A parent boils the noodles and serves the broth.
One-minute challenge games with cups and spoons 4 to 10 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Plan eight rounds from things already in the kitchen.
Paint night: everyone paints the same photo 4 to 8 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. Buy small canvases and cover the table with newspaper.
Pancake breakfast party in pajamas 4 to 8 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. A parent runs the griddle; guests arrive in pajamas.
Photo booth corner with props and a backdrop 4 to 12 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Hang a sheet, print signs, and keep the photos in the group.
Popsicle making party for a summer birthday 3 to 8 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. Buy juice and molds; pour first so they freeze by cake time.
Puzzle race: two teams, two identical puzzles 4 to 8 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. Buy or borrow two copies of the same puzzle.
Radio show recorded with friends 3 to 6 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Write three segments and keep the recording private.
Relay race afternoon in the yard with silly prizes 6 to 12 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Plan five relays and wrap prizes from around the house.
S'mores over the grill with a parent in charge 4 to 10 people. Cost: low. Nothing to book. An adult lights and watches the grill the whole time.
Scrapbook where every guest fills a page 6 to 20 guests. Cost: low. Buy a blank book; send pages ahead to anyone who cannot come.
Sealed letters saved for the day you turn eighteen Family and close friends. Cost: free. A parent collects the letters and keeps the box.
Sidewalk chalk mural across the driveway 3 to 8 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. Buy a big box of chalk and sketch the outline first.
Silent disco with headphones and one shared playlist 4 to 10 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Everyone presses play at the same second on their own phone.
Sixteen-song party: each guest adds one track 8 to 16 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Collect one song from each guest and guess who chose it.
Sleepover with a midnight snack board 3 to 6 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. A parent sets lights-out and the morning pickup time.
Smoothie contest judged by a parent 3 to 6 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. Buy frozen fruit; a parent runs the blender.
Snowman contest and soup for a winter birthday 4 to 10 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Tell guests to bring gloves; a parent makes the soup.
Stop-motion film made in one afternoon 2 to 5 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Gather clay or toys and prop a phone on a stack of books.
Sundae counter: two flavors and a wall of toppings 4 to 12 people. Cost: low. Nothing to book. Buy two flavors and let guests bring a topping each.
Surprise party planned by friends and a parent 10 to 20 guests. Cost: medium. Tell a parent you would like one, then stay out of the planning.
Swap party for books, games and outgrown clothes 4 to 10 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Everyone brings five things; leftovers go to a charity shop.
Sweet sixteen dinner party with place cards 8 to 16 guests. Cost: low. Nothing to book. Write a place card for each guest; a parent cooks.
T-shirt design party with fabric markers 4 to 8 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. Buy plain shirts and markers; slip cardboard inside each shirt.
Taco bar dinner for the whole friend group 4 to 10 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. A parent shops; each guest brings one topping.
Thirteen small treats instead of one cake 4 to 13 people. Cost: low. Nothing to book. Pick thirteen bite-size treats; an adult lights any candles.
Thirteen tiny challenges with friends, one per year 4 to 8 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Keep them silly and kind: stack cups, name capitals.
Thirteen wishes jar filled by your guests 4 to 13 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Set out paper slips; read them aloud after the cake.
Thirteen-clue hunt through your own history 3 to 8 people. Cost: free. Nothing to book. A parent writes one clue for each year of your life.
Thirteen-photo timeline, one per year, on the wall The household. Cost: free. Nothing to book. A parent helps find one picture from every year.
Time capsule party: every guest adds one thing 4 to 10 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Find a lidded box, and set the opening for graduation day.
Trivia night written by the birthday teen 4 to 12 people. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Write five rounds about things you like and keep score.
Video game tournament with a paper bracket 4 to 8 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Borrow extra controllers and draw the bracket on a poster.
Whodunit dinner: who stole the cake? 6 to 10 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. Write a character card for each guest a week ahead.
Yard sports day: three events and paper medals 6 to 12 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Choose events that need only a ball, cones and a stopwatch.
Yard stargazing with blankets and a star chart 2 to 8 people. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Print a chart for the month and switch off the porch light.
You program the household film night The household. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Choose a short film, a feature and the snacks.
You run the party; a parent stays backstage 4 to 8 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. You plan the food and games; a parent stays in the next room.

Going out 66

A day of yes, with limits agreed first The household. Cost: low. Agree the limits with a parent the night before; they drive.
Arcade afternoon with a shared token pot 3 to 8 friends. Cost: medium. Nothing to book. A parent drives and sets the token limit.
Bakery crawl: one pastry per stop, scored out of ten 3 to 6 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. A parent drives; three stops is plenty.
Baseball swings in the cages, then milkshakes 3 to 6 friends. Cost: medium. Nothing to book. A parent drives; the place lends helmets.
Beach afternoon with a sandcastle contest 4 to 10 people. Cost: free. An adult comes along and picks a beach with lifeguards.
Big-city day: three stops you choose, parent in tow 2 to 4 people. Cost: medium. A parent drives or buys train tickets; you choose three stops.
Booked puzzle room, solved against the clock 4 to 6 friends. Cost: high. A parent books an escape room a week ahead and asks about the age rule.
Bookstore visit: each friend recommends one book 3 to 6 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. A parent drives; you leave with one book.
Bowling with a prize for last place 4 to 8 friends. Cost: medium. A parent books a lane, pays for shoes and drives.
Bubble tea meet-up and a walk 3 to 6 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. A parent drives or agrees the walking route.
Canvas class with snacks at an art studio 3 to 8 friends. Cost: medium. A parent books the class two weeks ahead and drives.
Concert for you and two friends, parent along 3 friends and a parent. Cost: high. A parent buys tickets early and comes to the show.
Corn maze and cider for a fall birthday 4 to 10 friends. Cost: medium. A parent checks opening dates, drives and waits at the exit.
Cycle to a lunch spot and back 3 to 6 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Agree the route with a parent and wear helmets.
Dark-sky drive to watch for meteors 3 to 5 people. Cost: free. A parent drives and stays; check the forecast and bring blankets.
Dawn stroll, then pancakes at a diner 2 to 5 people. Cost: low. Nothing to book. A parent drives; you choose the booth.
Day of firsts: three things you have never tried 2 to 4 friends. Cost: low. Pick mild firsts, a food, a sport, a craft; a parent drives.
Downtown photo walk: ten shots each 3 to 6 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. An adult walks along; print the best shot of each guest.
Easy trail walk with a packed lunch 3 to 8 people. Cost: free. Nothing to book. An adult walks with the group on a marked trail.
Family bike ride that ends at your favorite food The household. Cost: low. Nothing to book. A parent plans a route on quiet roads or a trail.
Family walk to a place none of you has been The household. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Pick a park or a neighborhood from the map together.
Fancy brunch out in dress clothes 4 to 8 people. Cost: medium. A parent books the table a week ahead and drives.
Farmers market breakfast and a picnic after 2 to 6 people. Cost: low. Nothing to book. Check the market day; a parent drives.
Feed the goats: an afternoon at a working farm 4 to 10 friends. Cost: medium. A parent books the visit and drives; wear old shoes and wash hands after.
Fifteen kind acts in one day with friends 3 to 6 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. List them the night before; an adult comes along in town.
First movie trip with friends, parent three rows back 3 to 5 friends. Cost: medium. A parent buys the tickets, drives and sits apart.
Food court crawl: one dish each to share 3 to 6 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. A parent drives and stays in the building.
Grocery dash: you plan and shop the birthday dinner 2 to 3 people. Cost: low. Nothing to book. A parent drives and sets the spending limit.
Half-day class you have wanted to try You and one friend. Cost: high. A parent books it weeks ahead: pottery, cooking or photography.
Hands-on kitchen class at a cooking school 3 to 6 friends. Cost: high. A parent books weeks ahead and tells the school about any allergies.
Hotel night with family or two friends 3 to 5 people. Cost: high. A parent books the room, stays the night and sets the rules.
Ice cream shop tour: three shops, one scoop each 3 to 6 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. A parent drives the loop; rate each scoop on a card.
Ice skating session and hot chocolate 4 to 10 friends. Cost: medium. A parent checks public session times and drives; bring gloves.
Just-the-two-of-us day with one grown-up You and one adult. Cost: medium. Plan three stops together; the adult drives.
Local team's home game from the cheap seats 3 to 8 people. Cost: medium. A parent buys tickets ahead and comes along.
Lunch at a restaurant after an early film 3 to 6 friends. Cost: medium. A parent buys tickets, books the table and drives.
Mini golf and ice cream after 4 to 8 friends. Cost: medium. No booking most days; a parent drives and keeps the scorecard honest.
Movie theater trip with one row to yourselves 4 to 8 friends. Cost: medium. A parent buys the tickets ahead and handles drop-off and pickup.
Museum visit with a photo scavenger list 3 to 8 people. Cost: low. A parent checks opening days and tickets and comes along.
One night at a campground The household plus one friend. Cost: medium. A parent books the site and packs the gear.
Park photo shoot with friends, photos kept private 3 to 6 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. A parent drives; share the pictures only in the group.
Park picnic with a speaker and a frisbee 4 to 12 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. A parent drops off the food and agrees a pickup time.
Passenger's choice road trip: a parent drives 2 to 4 people. Cost: low. Nothing to book. You navigate and choose every stop and song.
Pedal boat hour on a lake, life jackets on 2 to 4 people. Cost: medium. A parent rents the boat, rides along and everyone wears a life jacket.
Pick-up game on a reserved court 6 to 12 friends. Cost: free. A parent checks whether the court needs a permit and brings water.
Pick-your-own fruit farm, then a pie at home 3 to 8 friends. Cost: low. A parent checks what is in season, drives and helps with the oven.
Pizza place dinner at one long table 6 to 12 friends. Cost: medium. A parent books the table, orders ahead and sits nearby.
Planetarium or science center visit 3 to 8 people. Cost: medium. A parent books show times and drives.
Quinceañera with a court of honor and a waltz Family and many guests. Cost: high. Parents book the hall months ahead; friends rehearse the waltz.
Restaurant of your choosing, seating plan included The household. Cost: medium. A parent books the table; you choose where and who sits where.
Rides, lines and funnel cake: a ride park day 3 to 6 people. Cost: high. A parent buys tickets ahead, drives and sets a meeting point.
Ring toss and bean bag games in the park 4 to 10 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Take the games to a park; a parent carries the cooler.
Rink session on roller skates with rented wheels 4 to 10 friends. Cost: medium. A parent checks the session times, rents skates and drives.
School play or community theater night 3 to 8 people. Cost: low. A parent buys seats in one row and drives.
Shopping center photo dash with a checklist 4 to 8 friends. Cost: free. Nothing to book. A parent stays in the building and holds the answer list.
Sixteen friends at one long picnic table Sixteen guests. Cost: low. A parent reserves a park shelter if the park asks for it.
Sketchbook afternoon among the greenhouse plants 2 to 6 friends. Cost: low. A parent checks opening days and drives; bring pencils.
Sunrise breakfast picnic with one parent You and one parent. Cost: free. Nothing to book. Pack it the night before; the parent drives.
Sunset picnic with a dessert-only menu 4 to 8 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. A parent drives and waits nearby until dark.
Sweet sixteen dance in a rented hall 30 to 80 guests. Cost: high. Parents book the hall and music months ahead and stay all evening.
Thrift store challenge: best outfit under a set limit 3 to 6 friends. Cost: low. Nothing to book. A parent sets the limit and drives.
Train day trip to the next town 2 to 5 people. Cost: medium. A parent buys tickets and rides along; you plan the three stops.
Visit to relatives in another town The household. Cost: medium. A parent arranges the visit and drives; you pick the music.
Volunteer morning at an animal shelter or food bank 3 to 6 friends. Cost: free. A parent calls ahead, asks about the age rule and comes along.
Weekend away with the family: you choose the town The household. Cost: high. A parent books the stay and drives; you plan one full day.
Zoo or aquarium day with a must-see list 3 to 8 people. Cost: medium. A parent buys tickets and drives; list five animals to find.

How this list was compiled: Written for this site on 2026-09-30: every plan, group size, cost band and booking line is our own wording, and no list was copied. The list is for someone turning 13 to 17 who is planning the day with a parent. It was screened for that age: nothing built on alcohol, gambling, heights, stunts or pranks, no adult venue, no plan that depends on the birthday teen driving, and no party announced in public online. Where an adult has to book, drive, stay nearby or handle an oven, a grill or a boat, the line says so. It holds no prices, opening hours or venue names, because those change and differ by town. Cost bands are our own rough estimates, not prices: free uses what the household already has, low means snacks or supplies, medium means a ticket or a meal out for each guest, high means a hall, a trip, a show or a booked session for a group. Group sizes are our suggestion for what works, not a limit, and lead times such as a week or a month are our own rule of thumb, so check with the place you pick. The 13th, 15th and 16th choices each hold plans written for that age plus plans that fit any of them. One card states facts, checked on 2026-09-30 against https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quincea%C3%B1era : a quinceañera is a coming-of-age celebration in Latin American cultures for a girl's 15th birthday; the court of honor is a group of her chosen peers; a waltz is danced at the reception and is often rehearsed weeks ahead. Plan titles were compared by script with our adult birthday list and with every other list on this site, and none is shared. Licence: own work