Cheap Birthday Ideas for Teens and Tweens

These cheap birthday ideas for teens and tweens are not only fun but are inexpensive and will allow you to make your teen’s birthday special.

When the kids are young it’s much easier to throw a party and figure out themes. You really go based on the character or things they like for the theme.

For instance, we could easily come up with a fun pirate birthday party on the fly and we were good to go. This also worked for mermaid parties and unicorn themed parties.

RELATED: Kids Birthday Themes

Inexpensive Birthday Ideas for Teens & Tweens

Throwing a cheap teenage birthday party can be challenging sometimes. Once the kids get to the teenage years, the more money it seems to costs on gifts, creative birthday cakes, and activities.

Another challenge we have with cheap teenage birthday party ideas is that it can be tricky to come up with something that is “cool”. What parents think is “cool” can be lame and boring for older kids, teens, and tweens. This happens with my kids all the time when we try to come up with something fun to do!

RELATED: Fun ways to spend time with your teens.

Cheap Birthday Party Ideas for Tweens

Teens and tweens also like to change their mind a lot. I know with my kids, it seems like one minute they are into something then it changes. This makes it difficult to buy gifts, come up with some fun teen birthday ideas, or plan a fun birthday party.

But we are here to help give you some cheap birthday party ideas for teens that will be a lot of fun and affordable! With a little bit of planning and some of these cheap birthday ideas for teens, it will be unforgettable.

Teenage Party Ideas + Tween Birthday Party Games

Finding cheap birthday party ideas for tweens and cheap teen party ideas can take a little creativity. It can be hard to find fun things to do for a teenage birthday party.

To get some ideas swirling in your head, here are a few cheap teenage birthday party ideas, games, and tips. These birthday party ideas for teens will make an fun party for everyone to enjoy.

1. Game Night Party

A game night party can be fun for both tweens and teens and it’s probably one of the easiest cheap birthday ideas for teens you can think of. You can hold a game night party either indoors or outdoors depending on the type of games and space needed.

• Set up obstacle courses or fun outdoor party games for the kids to play.
• Grab the game systems and set aside a room for everyone to play video games in. You can also turn it into a game tournament night and have everyone competing against each other in a friendly competition.
• Board games or card games, pizza, and party snacks could make for a fun night.
• Choose one of your tweens favorite video games and make that the theme. For instance, throw a Fornite party and serve some Fortnite themed party food.

2. Throw a Pool Party

Live somewhere that is warm all year round or celebrate their birthday in the summer? A pool party can be a great idea. If you already have a pool, this can save you a lot of money. No pool? Check with friends and family who do have a swimming pool and see if you can host the party there.

You can also head to a local community pool. Many of them offer special rooms for parties and getting a pool pass or paying for entry is often inexpensive. A pool party always make for one of the best teenage party ideas.

Many hotels will also let you host your party there. While this is the more expensive route, you can check with hotels to see if they have any discounts since you’re not renting rooms. If it is cheaper to grab a room so that you can use the pool, that could make the party even better.

3. Hotel Sleepover

Speaking of heading to a hotel for the pool, why not rent a hotel room and get their friends together for a hotel sleepover. Since the kids can pretty much share a room, depending on how many are attending, the price may not be that bad. This is one of the birthday party ideas for teens that my daughter came up with for her 13th birthday.

• Adjoining rooms can make it easier for everyone and the kids will have more fun.
• You can decorate the hotel room with balloons, streamers, and other birthday decorations.
• Take advantage of the hotel activities, room service, and amenities the hotel offers.
• Talk with the staff to see if they can make a special birthday dinner or birthday cake to celebrate.
• Bring your own special breakfast foods like homemade cinnamon rolls, bagel sandwiches, or take advantage of the free breakfast many hotels offer.

One thing to make sure of when having a birthday hotel sleepover is that your teens and tweens are respectful. You don’t want to have any complaints because they’re too loud or destroying property. This will only get them thrown out and possibly cause extra money to come out of your pocket.

Also, remember that a chaperone may be needed depending on the ages of those attending. This is typically a requirement of the hotel so be sure to ask when you call.

4. Have a Backyard Bash

Teens and tweens will get a kick out of having a backyard bash for their birthday and it can be pretty easy to set up. For my son, this was one of his favorite cheap birthday ideas for teens and luckily we had a great place in the yard to set everything up.

You can go with a birthday theme if you want and grab some special party decorations. A Hawaiian party theme would be fun, you can do a live band party in the backyard, or a simple BBQ with some crazy teen obstacle courses and sports games set up.

Creative games and outdoor games like this giant yard dice game can be made at home and would be perfect for an outdoor bash. You can also find some outdoor games online and they are often inexpensive. Let the kids have a fun competition with their friends.

5. Aloha Party

Something like a luau party would be great for teenage birthday parties. You can serve punch in creative cups, get some cute party favors, or these coconut cups, for extra fun. Fruity and flavorful appetizers and treats can be served too.

Play a game of “how low can you go”, dress in Hawaiian outfits, pass out leis, and grab some beach or Hawaiian themed party supplies. Don’t forget the hula hoop!

6. Glow in the Dark Party

A glow in the dark party can one of the best cheap birthday ideas for teens. Grab some of those cheap glow sticks, bracelets, and glow in the dark decorations and host the party either inside or outside at night time.

Get glow in the dark face paint and have them paint their faces. You can even set up some games and music to dance to while they are wearing the glowing accessories.

7. Outdoor Music Festival

Check with any local bands to see if they would be willing to put on a live show for the epic birthday party playing their favorite songs. Many local bands won’t charge much for a gig or will do it for free just to get their name out there.

You can do this in the backyard if you want, although the neighbors might not enjoy it so much! If you need a large space, you can ask around to see if their is a big enough outdoor space to have it in town. Maybe a local park? Growing up we lived in the country and had this large field and grass area next to the house that we could throw parties at.

You can host one of the best cheap birthday ideas for teens and it’ll be a memorable one. Serve up some punch, bite sized foods or pizza, and let the kids dance the night away! You can even have the kids bring their own snacks and drinks to save even more money.

8. Scary Movie Party

My teens love scary movies and enjoy having their friends come over to have a scary movie marathon. This year my daughter is wanting to throw a scary movie party with her friends. It’s going to be a pizza party/scary movie party so it should be pretty easy to manage.

I thought about making some popcorn, I really want to do some creative flavored popcorn treats for them. We could also order or make our own pizzas as we rent some movies.

If pizzas aren’t what they want, we can make some appetizers, their favorite meal, or just binge on snack foods all night.

9. Cheap Birthday Party Ideas for Teenage Girls: Spa Party

A spa party can be a fun DIY birthday party theme for tweens. They will love spending the night getting pampered and having fun with their friends.

I remember doing this when I was young at sleepovers. It was always so much fun getting your nails done and giving yourself the sp treatment.

You can make your own pampering stations at home and have them rotate so that they visit each station. The girls can paint their nails, soak their feet, and enjoy their spa time.

10. Cheap Birthday Party Ideas for Teens: Throw a Beach Party

If you are lucky enough to live close to a beach, teens will love spending the day with their friends at the beach. Most beaches have areas set up for volleyball, swimming, and other fun activities.

Visiting a beach is also free which means you won’t need to spend much when it comes to setting up the party. Even if your teen’s birthday is in the winter, there are some great beach destinations to visit, especially in December.

Plus, there are a variety of beach accessories, beach friendly games, and beach gear that you can take along for the party.

Tweens may be interested in putting together some cute beach crafts too!

11. Soccer Party

If you’re child is into soccer, a soccer party can be fun and it’ll be easy to set up the birthday activities for teens. For those who love the sport, it makes for one of the best cheap birthday ideas for teens.

The party can be set up at home or you can check with your local school or parks to see if you can have the party there. Then, you can take advantage of the soccer field.

There are a variety of different soccer party snacks and activities that you can set up. You can have the other kids bring a soccer gift to give to the birthday girl or boy.

RELATED: Soccer gifts or girls or soccer gifts for boys.

More Affordable Cheap Birthday Ideas for Teens and Tweens

• Escape Room Party
• Slumber Party
• Tie Dye Party
• Dance Party
• Karaoke Party
• Baking Party

How to make a teen birthday party affordable.

Luckily, there are lots of birthday ideas for teens that are affordable and won’t break the bank. Here are a few tips to make your party more affordable when you are coming up with cheap birthday party ideas for teens. These tips can help you save quite a bit.

• One of the best ways to save money is to have your party at home and have them invite their closest friends.
• Making your own supplies can save a ton of money, it just takes a little bit of creativity.
• Borrow anything you can from friends and family will also help save money.
• If you must spend money on decorations and supplies, go for the more affordable choices. Nothing has to be name brand so don’t feel guilty about shopping at discount stores.
• If you plan a party somewhere special, like an indoor water park, take advantage of any discounts or coupons. Many of them offer birthday or party discounts that will help you save.
• Don’t order a birthday cake. Make your own birthday cake or cupcakes at home. You can also use a homemade frosting recipe to top the cake off with.
• Go with easy party foods that you can make yourself. This can be grilling out hamburgers and hot dogs even.

Cheap Birthday Ideas for Teens and Tweens

What are some of your favorite cheap birthday ideas for teens? When it comes to party planning, coming up with some fun teen birthday party ideas doesn’t have to be hard.

Some close friends, good food, and some fun will make your teen’s special day a great one!