Birthday Party Games for a Sweet 16

Your little girl is turning 16 and growing up before your eyes. Throwing her a Sweet 16 party is a great way to look toward her future while remembering her childhood. Plan plenty of games and activities for the party so that she and her guests will enjoy the party and remember it for years to come.

Time Frame

Talk with the birthday girl before the party to see how much time she wants to devote to party games compared with other activities. If her Sweet 16 is a sleepover, she may want to play a few games as guests arrive to introduce everyone to each other and then move on to other activities through the evening. If the party takes places in the early afternoon, she may want games to be the only activity. Allow about a half-hour for every game you decide to play.

Size

Pick games based on how many and what sort of guests you expect. If a mix of ages, such as other teenagers as well as grandparents and older relatives attend the party, pick games that will appeal to all ages. Some games, such as makeover games, will most likely not appeal to a coed group. Getting a group of 50 or 100 people organized into one game can prove difficult. If the party is large, have several games going at once so that everyone can be involved.

Types

Games suitable for a Sweet 16 party range from trivia games to makeover games. If your daughter has chosen a theme for her Sweet 16, pick games that fit in with the theme. Have a hula contest during a luau-themed party or a square dance contest during a country-themed party. Trivia games can match the party’s theme as well. For instance, play celebrity trivia at a Hollywood-themed party or Name That Tune at a musical party.

Considerations

Sweet 16 marks the entrance into adulthood for some girls. Although you may still view your daughter as a child, in her mind, she may be all grown-up. Remember that the games she may have enjoyed at birthday parties past may be embarrassing for her now. Also keep in mind that she may want you to have a reduced presence at her party. Keep an eye on the proceedings and help the games go off as planned, but don’t hover over the birthday girl or her guests.

Warning

Some party games that are popular with teenagers may not be appropriate for your daughter’s 16th birthday. Set ground rules in advance. You may disapprove of certain popular games with teenagers, such as seven minutes in heaven and spin the bottle. If so, make it clear that you will not tolerate those games at her party. Some teenagers like to experiment at parties, so keep an eye on guests to make sure they do not try to drink alcohol or sample drugs during your daughter’s party.