Celebrate the Sweet 16 milestone with professional or amateur entertainment.
Whether teens celebrate turning Sweet 16 on a big budget or a shoestring, providing entertainment is important to break the ice and get the party started. First, select a theme for the party to narrow the scope of the event. Then find entertainment that complements the theme. There is no need to orchestrate elaborate entertainment, but planning a few activities will keep up the pace of the party. Visit party planning and party supply stores to speak with experts on the best way to execute your theme within your budget. Does this Spark an idea?
Rock Concert
Hosting a rock concert Sweet 16 lets teens let their hair down in a controlled environment. On the invitation, request attendees to dress in a punk or rock ensemble. At the party, provide wigs, temporary tattoos, clip-on hair extensions and wild makeup for guests to take their look to the next level. The process of getting ready will provide hours of entertainment before the main events. At the party, set aside a section for teens to compete against each other in music-based video games. Provide inexpensive prizes for the teens with the highest scores. End the night with a live concert from a local band or high school band.
Drama Teens
Take a page from Hollywood by hosting a drama-inspired Sweet 16. Have guests select a favorite movie and act out a five-minute version of the plot. List the activity on the invitation so guests know they will perform on stage at the party. Provide a list of movies for teens to choose from, and assure everyone that the skits are just for fun. Let teens form their own groups, or have them choose names from a hat. Separate a section of the venue to serve as a stage, and arrange chairs in rows. Run a red carpet down the aisle so teens feel like they are at a movie premiere as they approach the stage. Hang pictures of famous actors and actresses and pictures of popular teen movies. Hand out cameras for guests to snap photos of the performers.
Island Getaway
Throw a sweet 16 island getaway party by the beach or pool. Tell the attendees to bring a bathing suit and start the party with swimming and soaking in the sun. Decorate the area with tiki torches, plastic palm trees and leis. For the meal, host a luau and serve roasted pig alongside tropical fruits. Hire professional hula dancers to perform for the group. At the end of the performance, have the dancers teach the teens basic hula moves. Close the night with a hula performance by the birthday teen.
Dinner and a Movie Sleepover
Providing an entertaining Sweet 16 does not require parents to break the bank. Make the party itself the entertainment by having the guests cook the meal. Provide all the ingredients and instructions, then let the teens experiment in the kitchen. A dinner and movie theme works best for smaller sweet 16 parties that are not coed. After dinner, head to the movie theater or enjoy a movie at home. Provide board games, video games and card games for the teens to play into the night.
Tags: night with, video games