10 Unforgettable 18th Birthday Party Ideas

The year was 1994 and I was living with my family on two acres of property next door to a horse paddock with a dam and rolling plains as far as the eye could see. High school had finished, uni had just started and my parents let me invite 100 friends to my 18^th birthday party held at our semi-rural family homestead.

That my parents let me invite 100 17-21 year olds was unforgettable enough, but the party itself was one I’ll never forget. Some gifts I received (that my parents know about) that I still hold dear today included a silver ring from one of my best friends, a framed print of a sketch of HP Lovecraft from my boy crush and a glory box (big wooden chest) from my parents.

I told my poor mother that my friends didn’t eat very much, so she wouldn’t have to cook. Of course, I didn’t have a clue so luckily my mother completely ignored me and cooked up a storm. That night, my dog had the pleasure of consuming the bones of about 200 chicken wings that were discarded in the garden. Given dogs aren’t meant to consume cooked bones, she luckily survived the ordeal. I swear it was the best night of her life. All that attention – and all those bones!

The party was very well (albeit subtly) supervised in that my parents invited my uncles, aunts and their friends over to join them for their own private party is a separate section of the house.

I ran amuck with my friends and we lived out all the drama that 18 year olds enjoy engaging in at parties. Friends stayed overnight if they needed to and they were served a cooked breakfast the morning after.

The police weren’t called. No one was injured. Everyone got home safely. We all had a great time.

But that was 21 years ago. Back before Facebook existed! Back before gate crashers were a force to be reckoned with! Things are a little different now. Today, teenagers and parents have to be much more creative in their choice of party. So I’ve compiled a list of 18th party ideas that, importantly:

• Don’t require 100 people attending in order to be enjoyed.
• Involve rather than exclude people under 18 who don’t drink.
• Won’t end up on the evening news!

So check out the 10 unforgettable 18^th birthday party ideas below and be sure to comment if you have any other amazing ideas you’d like to share.

1. Weekend Adventure Party

Ideal for 18 year olds who are into physical activity and physical fun, the Weekend Adventure Party is an opportunity to enjoy clean air, good company, great food and plenty of wholesome excitement. Accommodation options, depending on budget, may include camping, cabins, house for hire or a hotel.

Before deciding where to stay, have a good think about the types of activities the group might enjoy – and don’t be afraid to make them challenging and strenuous! An early night, as a result of healthy exhaustion, can only be a good thing!

Ideas for activities to consider include: Sailing, Kayaking, Bushwalking, Caving, Biking, Archery, Paintball, Water skiing, Snorkelling, Tubing, Horseback Riding, Skiing.

Wherever you decide to stay, be sure your guests know the ground rules – both your rules and the house rules. Be sure to consider safety. While it’s unlikely this group of young ones will be up partying into all hours of the night, it’s also important they don’t get lost in the wilderness. Follow all the guidelines set by local authorities and make sure they’re clearly communicated to the group.

2. Movie Marathon Slumber Party

For something a little more relaxed and controlled, turn your home into a cinema. Hire a home cinema system and screen an all-night movie marathon of new releases or old classics – whatever rocks your 18 year old’s boat.

Transform the space into an authentic cinema experience with popcorn, soft drinks, hot dogs, chips and candy galore. Hire a popcorn machine and fairy floss machine.

Invitations can be created as movie tickets and the space can include beanbags, mattresses, cushions etc.

It’s up to your house rules and your child’s preference whether they want all girls, all boys or a mix of both. The great thing about this idea is that, even if there are boys and girls staying over night, no-one’s going to get up to too much mischief if they’re all sleeping in the same room as each other!

Don’t be afraid to offer all the other trappings of a traditional all-girls slumber party – facials, nail polishing. The teenage boys will love having a go as well.

3. Casino Party

Bring the sophistication of a casino into a safe space at home where the bets are smaller and the risks fewer. There are an abundance of casino themed party supplies you can buy online to make a real splash.

Invite guests to dress up in Gangster and Flapper costumes or James Bond/Bond Girl inspired outfits – both respectable, good-looking 18th birthday themes.

Play Texas Hold’em Poker, Black Jack (21), Craps or Roulette. Hire the equipment you need; options range from simple tables to spectacular lit up LED designs.

If you don’t know anyone to run the show, you can even hire the full Casino experience complete with host.

4. Bonfire Party

Something like this is ideal for a rural or beach location, but before firming up the event be sure you have any necessary public permits and that your local community doesn’t have fire restrictions! The last thing you want is the fire department or the police shutting down the fun.

There’s no need for this to be an affair for hooligans. Provide structure around the evening by inviting each guest to prepare some performances to share with the group – it might be singing, guitar, drumming, storytelling or poetry slam.

Marshmallow roasting is compulsory. Drinking may be welcome, but if it’s held in a public place there may be restrictions. If it’s held on private property, that’s completely your call – and up to you to supervise.

This is not meant to be a sleep over event or an out of control rager with 100 people. More of a chilled night sharing performance with 20-30 friends. Once the party is over, everyone can make their way home.

5. Royalty Dinner

Is your 18 year old daughter a princess? Or your 18 year old son a prince? Give him or her the mantle of Queen or King for the night and be royal.

The guy in this video below is not only hilarious, but has some great ideas. All your friends will have so much fun pretending to be royal for the night. I mean, there’s nothing more fun than poking fun at royalty right?

6. Master Class

You live and learn! No seriously, at 18 there is so much living and so much learning ahead so why not combine the two and get everyone off to enjoy a Master Class? Nothing boring! We’re not talking about how to make pikelets. Here’s a list of ideas:

• Surfing
• Diving
• Cooking
• Pasta Making
• Barista Basics
• Chocolate Tasting
• Life Drawing
• Bellydancing
• Makeup Application
• Raw Cooking
• Organic Cooking
• Cocktail Mixing
• Shooting
• Archery

7. German Sparkle Party

What is a German Sparkle Party you ask? Well you simply haven’t lived until you’ve attended one, so be the first off the rank to host one of the coolest 18th party themes in town.

Do you like to Party-party?
Yes, I like to Party-party.
Do you like to Dancy-dance?
Yes, I wore my party Pants.
I like German Sparkle Party.

Full of techno doof doof music, this is essentially a themed costume party where those who attend wear anything sequined or glittery or glow mesh!

Think sequined skirts, sequined ties.

Yes, I wore my rubber boots.
Yes, I wore my rubber boots.
Rubber boots to dancy-dance,
Rubber boots and party pants!

You don’t need 100 people to make this party work. 99 will be just fine. Have fun, kids!

8. Zombie Land Party

Sure, you can have a simple zombie fancy dress party as an 18^th. Or instead you can play Zombie Tag or Humans Versus Zombies!!!

What does that entail, exactly? Well you’ll find all you need to know and more at this amazing Humans Vs Zombies resource. Essentially, human players must “remain vigilant and defend themselves with socks and dart blasters to avoid being tagged by a growing zombie horde”.

If your 18 year old is into Comic-con, Cos Play or Zombie Walks, this is the party for them.

9. Board Game Party

Every parent’s dream, a Board Game Party simply involves all guests bringing along a board game. Set up a game table in 4-5 spaces inside and outside the house. Mix up the 18th birthday party decorations to give every room a different theme or feel. The idea is that friends pick a game they’d like to play and rotate from room to room depending on what they’d like to play next. This is a wonderful ‘getting to know you’ exercise without the need for alcohol consumption.

Great for an 18 year old who enjoys the company of their close knit group of friends or who wants to invite people of all ages along to the party. Family are more than welcome at Board Game Parties! Or not! It depends on whether they involve drinking games or not …

10. Fancy Dress Party

Who doesn’t know what this is? No-one! Make something up or choose from one of the 18th birthday party themes below and get everyone to come along dressed as that theme! The wackier the theme the better!

• Wild West
• Vicars And Tarts
• School Days
• Steam Punk
• Pirates
• Pink
• Green
• White
• Red
• Any colour really
• Sci Fi
• James Bond
• 70s
• 80s
• 90s
• 50s
• Beach
• Horror
• Jungle
• Animal
• Anything starting with P
• Anything starting with D
• Anything starting with T
• You get my drift.

And what do you gift your friend or family member who’s celebrating their 18^th birthday? Well, that’s easy. Here at Canvas Factory, we have some of the coolest canvas gifts in town – a perfect way to celebrate this important milestone. Source some photos of friends or family and create a memory collage that will last forever. This Modish 12 collage design, below, is available for purchase. Make your own now!