Birthdays are unique because they come once a year, and this beautiful day is dedicated to you alone.
If you plan to entertain your guests, here are some 19th birthday party ideas you can try. As you enter the realm of being a full-time adult, have an epic celebration and raise a toast to your 19th birthday. Well, it’s a job no one wants but has to take it up.
Read through the ideas for your upcoming birthday celebration.
19th Birthday Ideas For Girls
There are various ideas to choose from when you are thinking of celebrating your 19th birthday.
1. Spa day
How about indulging yourself in self-care. Going to the spa and getting pampered is one of the best ways to spend your 19th birthday. Moreover, if you aren’t too keen on going to the spa, invite your friends at home and have a spa day right at the comfort of your own house. Give each other massages, make some DIY masks, get fresh manicures and pedicures.
2. Netflix binge
Nothing beats a good Netflix binge with your closest girlfriend. Call your girlfriends over on the eve of your birthday and keep a watchlist of everything you want to watch ready. Ask them to bring their pajamas for a sleepover later on.
3. Karaoke night
A karaoke night on your birthday sounds like a plan. It’s inexpensive, fun, and nobody will judge whether you have the singing skills or not. So rent a machine and turn your room into a karaoke bar with mood lights and a makeshift stage.
4. Backyard BBQ
If you are planning on having a themed backyard birthday party, then for sure, go with a BBQ party along with a pool party. Decorate your backyard using curtains, throws, cute cushions, etc.
5. Backyard Bonfire
If your birthday is during the fall or winter, having a bonfire bash is perfect for celebrating your big day.
Roasting marshmallows and hotdogs while bundled up in your coziest sweaters sounds fun, right? Then, decorate the outdoors with some beautiful fairy lights, paper lanterns, and you are good to go.
6. Outdoor movie night
Host an enchanting outdoor movie night under the stars. Set up a cozy seating area with blankets and pillows, and screen your favorite films. Don’t forget the popcorn and fairy lights for that perfect 19th birthday ambiance.
7. Under the stars
If you want to host a dinner party, why not take it outside. Get lots of fairy lights and decorate them in a manner that will turn your outdoor garden into a whimsical and romantic place. You could also have a canopy of fairy lights above your table, which resembles little stars.
8. Dance party extravaganza
Transform your space into a dance floor and dance the night away to your favorite tunes. Hire a DJ or create a killer playlist for non-stop fun and grooving.
9. Artistic paint night
Unleash your creativity with a paint night party. Gather your friends for an art class led by a local artist, and create your own masterpiece while sipping on your favorite beverages.
10. Adventure retreat
Escape to the great outdoors for an adventure-filled retreat. Options could include hiking, camping, zip-lining, or white-water rafting, depending on your interests. Bond with your friends while embracing the beauty of nature.
11. Escape room adventure
Challenge your problem-solving skills by booking an escape room experience with your friends. Work together to solve puzzles and unlock the mystery while racing against the clock.
19th Birthday Ideas For Boys
Your 19th birthday deserves to be celebrated especially. So here are some great ideas.
12. Video games
Growing up, you must have had a video game that you loved the most. So why not incorporate it in your 19th birthday party? It serves as a great idea for a theme party plus, you can have snacks and drinks in a similar fashion. To top it off, you and your friends can have a fun video game competition as well.
13. Amusement park thrills
Spend the day at an amusement park riding roller coasters and other fun activities, feeling the rush of wind in your hair on each thrilling ride.
14. Mexican Carnival
A Mexican carnival for your 19th birthday to celebrate the last year as a teenager sounds like a plan. If you want to incorporate a costume party, you could mention so in the invites. Don’t forget to have a dancefloor where your guests can groove to Mexican music.
15. Camping
If you are not too keen on hosting a party, how about a night of camping and bonfire? You could also have a campfire where everyone can sit around, roast marshmallows, and have a great time together.
16. Sports game spectacle
Get tickets to a live sports game of your favorite team. The energy of the stadium, cheering with fans, and the excitement of the game will make it an incredible day for you.
17. Scavenger hunt
Organize a city-wide scavenger hunt with clues that lead to meaningful places in your life. It’s a fun and sentimental way to celebrate your 19th birthday while exploring your hometown.
18. Music studio session
If you’re into music, book a recording studio for the day. Jam with friends lay down tracks, and create your own music.
19. Pool party
Dive into an awesome pool party! Rent a pool or use your own, set up some pool games like water volleyball, and enjoy a day of sun, water, and fun with your friends. Don’t forget the poolside snacks and drinks to keep the energy flowing!
19th Birthday Decoration Ideas
A great birthday celebration calls for beautiful decor. Isn’t it?
20. Balloons
Whether it’s plain balloons or something that fits the party’s color theme, it takes the celebration to the next level.
21. Banners
Banners with birthday girl or boy’s name, quirky greetings, or even the number 19 printed large can make the decor look vibrant and fresh.
22. Glowing mason jars
Fill mason jars with glow sticks and place them around the room for a cool, luminous effect as the night falls.
23. Bouquet of flowers
Add a touch of elegance with a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers as a centerpiece.
24. Funky fairy lights
Decorate with fairy lights in various shapes and colors to give your space a whimsical and enchanting ambiance.
25. Memory lane
String up photos from the past 19 years to create a nostalgic timeline across the room, celebrating cherished memories. You can also consider making a slideshow of memories since birth to 19 years on a screen to reminisce those moments.
26. Glow-in-the-dark paint
Create artwork or messages on a black canvas with glow-in-the-dark paint. It’ll provide an eye-catching surprise when the lights go out.
27. Message wall of love
Transform one wall into a heartwarming display of handwritten notes and messages from close friends and family. Stick them up with colorful tape or arrange them in artistic patterns.
28. Pretty backdrop
Taking pictures with your friends calls for a pretty backdrop, so set up a photo booth and make sure to match it with the theme of your party.
29. Confetti
Is any party even complete without confetti or glitter? Fill up your balloons with confetti and burst them to surprise your guests.
19th Birthday Theme Ideas
Having a themed birthday party is always fun. You get to choose the color schemes, snacks, and even the decor. Fernanda Ramirez went all out on her 19th birthday. The theme for her party was Pink Space Cowgirl, complete with themed outfits and party decorations. She says, “I asked my friend to lend me her boat. We’re going to go to downtown Vancouver on the boat. Then I made a 6 pm reservation and we’re going to have some food and some drinks, and then we’ll come back to my house, where we will continue with the celebrations in our pajamas (i).”
Here are some more themes you could try out for your 19th birthday celebrations.
30. Hawaiian Luau
“Hau’oli la Hanau!” – the Hawaiian way to say Happy Birthday. When planning a Hawaiian Luau-themed birthday party, think about the tropics, where beaches are filled with coconut and palm trees. This party will be incomplete if you forget the Hawaiian mocktails. You can also arrange hula dancing props like lei and set up a limbo dancing contest to embrace the Hawaiian culture in addition to the tropical vibes.
31. Old Hollywood
An evening filled with bedazzlement where the venue is lit up, and there are posters of your favorite celebrities from that era. Wall of fame cookies, red velvet cupcakes are some snack options to serve at the party.
32. Vegas Casino Party
Did anybody say casino? This theme is sure to delight everyone. You can quite easily rent card tables along with slot machines. At the beginning of the party, hand out fake dollar bills that they can trade for casino chips. Black, white and red are always the top color choices for a casino-themed party. Soda, fish and chips, nachos are some ideas for food that you can serve to the guests.
33. Artistic carnival
Combine art and entertainment with an artistic carnival. Set up booths where guests can create their own art pieces, from paintings to pottery.
34. Silent disco safari
Host a silent disco with a twist. Each guest receives wireless headphones, and you create different music channels for an eclectic dance experience. Decorate with jungle vibes and safari props for added fun.
19th Birthday Party Games
Have a great time with your guests by playing some fun and exciting party games.
35. Balloon Dare
Think of some dares that would be fun but challenging. Write them down on small slips of paper and fill each balloon with one dare each. When your guests choose a balloon, they would have to pop it and see what’s the dare they got. Those who complete the most number of dares win.
36. Wink murder
Choose a murderer from your guests, and the others will be the detectives. With each round, every player will look at everyone, and the murderer will have to kill every one of them. If a detective gets the name of the murderer right, they win, and if they don’t, they die. If the murderer kills the last detective standing, the murderer wins.
37. Guess the song
For this activity, make teams of 2-3 people each. Every song will be played for a few seconds. After that, the team to guess the most number of right songs correctly will be declared the winner.
38. Bingo
A game of bingo never goes out of style. However, quirk it slightly to suit the theme of your birthday party.
39. Spoon and egg race
If you enjoy outdoor activities, consider organizing a birthday picnic or an outdoor birthday party that includes a fun spoon and egg race game. Hold the spoon in your mouth and place an egg on it. Each of the players would then have to race to the finish line balancing the egg. If anyone fails to do so, they get eliminated.
40. Solve the mystery
Most of us have grown up reading Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, or Enid Blyton. How about a detective-themed party? Set up small games where you and your friends can solve mysteries with a magnifying glass in hand and dress up as a detective. You could also curate invitations that read “You are invited to a top-secret gathering” to set the tone. Combining it with a scavenger hunt can make it even more interesting.
41. Bowling
If you are not up for a themed party, call your friends and spend the night bowling. It’s fun and quite inexpensive. Later on, you could also go for a round of drinks at the nearest bar to end the night on a sweet note.
42. Glow-in-the-dark capture the flag
Turn off the lights, provide glow sticks, and split your guests into teams. The objective is to capture the opposing team’s flag while avoiding being tagged. It’s an adrenaline-pumping twist on a classic game.
43. Karaoke battle
Host a karaoke competition and let your guests showcase their singing talents. Create a judging panel or have the audience vote for their favorite performers. Award prizes for the best renditions.
44. Pictionary
Create teams and have a Pictionary tournament. One person draws a clue and their teammate guesses. Keep the rounds fast-paced and score points to determine the winning team.
45. Water balloon dodgeball
Cool off with an epic game of dodgeball using water balloons. It’s a wet and wild way to beat the heat and bond with your friends.
46. Minute to win It
Set up a series of quick and hilarious challenges that must be completed in under a minute. From stacking cups to cookie face races, these games will have everyone laughing and competing.
Things To Do For Your 19th Birthday
Want to try something unique this birthday? Here are a few things to do for your 19th birthday that may intrigue you.
47. Road trip
A road trip to the nearest city with your friends sounds like a great way to spend your 19th birthday. Jam to some good ol’ tunes and carry your favorite snacks. However, if you’ve just received your driver’s license and aren’t very confident driving, you might want to shortlist this among your 20th birthday party ideas.
48. Concert night
Go to a concert on your birthday week. Enjoy a night of good music with your friends and get grooving. Watching your favorite artist performing live is in itself a treat for your 19th birthday.
49. Movie night
A good old movie night with your friends or family for your 19th birthday does not seem like a bad idea at all. A night at the movies with a bucket of popcorn and comfy seats is all you need to immerse yourself in a fantasy world.
50. Go to a carnival
With all the snacks, sweets, and fun rides, going to a carnival can double the joy of your birthday week. And, if you have not been to a carnival anytime before, it will be a new experience altogether.
51. Laser tag
Do you want to have a fun time shooting your friends with neon lights in the dark? If so, head to the nearest gaming zone to celebrate your last year as a teenager. Another exciting option to consider is paintball which also involves shooting your friends.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are some creative 19th birthday party favors?
Daily-use items make good party favors. A coffee mug with the receiver’s image printed, a sling or tote bag with a popular musician or band image on it, a steel sipper with some funky design, or a cellphone holder with a message written on it makes some creative options.
2. How can I plan a 19th birthday party on a budget?
Make your own birthday invitations. Keep a minimalist birthday theme with simple decorations, and have the party in your backyard or home. Bake your own cake and cookies. Go for inexpensive party favors that can be purchased in bulk at the dollar store.
3. What are some creative 19th birthday gift ideas?
If you are planning a surprise party for your friend who is turning 19, make it unforgettable with unique birthday presents such as an instant photo printer for photography enthusiasts, a 3D pen for art lovers, and a mini makeup fridge for those who prioritize skincare and beauty. A smartwatch for a fitness enthusiast could be a good 19th-birthday gift option, too.
4. What are some unusual 19th birthday party entertainment options?
A craft activity, a visit to an escape room, or a talent show make some unusual 19th birthday party entertainment options.
Now that you have plenty of 19th birthday party ideas, get started with the planning. Celebrate your next step into adulthood with a grand celebration. These ideas will help you plan an epic party with your near and dear ones. Whether you want a chilled spa day with your best friends, a road trip, a Luau-themed party, or a Hollywood-style one, pick anything from the list above that best fits your preference. Don’t hesitate to seek help from your friends and family and enjoy every bit of the celebrations.
Infographic: 19th Birthday Party Games
Now that your child is entering adulthood, celebrate their entry into adulthood with a fun birthday party where they can enjoy a wide variety of games. If you are thinking of ways to ensure the guests at your child’s 19th birthday have fun, we bring you some enjoyable game ideas in this infographic.
Key Pointers
- Spa day, Netflix marathon, karaoke and ending it with a dinner under the stars can be the perfect party idea for a 19-year-old girl.
- For a boy who’s turning 19, game night and camping are some of the best ideas among others.
- To throw the coolest party ever for your 19-year-old, you can follow a theme such as Hollywood or Vegas casino party and add some fun.
Illustration: Cool And Magical Ideas For 19th Birthday Party
Explore these 33 exciting and unique birthday ideas that will make your teen feel like the most special person in the world.
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. My 19th birthday vlog ⃒Everything I did to prepare/grwm;https://youtu.be/vqvBEy2p5RY?feature=shared
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