17 Unique 11 Year Old Birthday Party Ideas For Your Tween (2024)
- Date: August 26, 2024
- Topic: Events
- Contributors: Written by Brooke Helton

Source: Peerspace
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Birthday party venues on Peerspace typically cost $80 — $220 per hour.
You’re about to have an 11-year-old on your hands! Where did the time go? As your soon-to-be birthday child takes their first steps into tweendom, they’re coming into a fun new adventure. You can help them celebrate it by throwing a fantastic birthday party with a totally cool theme. Here are 11 unique 11-year-old birthday party ideas to celebrate the tween years.
PS: If you’re hoping to execute any of these fun ideas and need a spot that’s suitable for hosting birthday parties, you can find an awesome party venue on Peerspace. Peerspace is the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals. On our platform, there are rentable spaces suitable for all ages in cities from New York City to Vancouver in North America and from London to Sydney globally. You can filter listings by size, price, and amenities like a pool. Make it your first stop while you’re planning your tween’s birthday party fun.
But now, let’s get to our list of the most unique 11-year-old birthday party ideas.
1. Make it unforgettable with a carnival party theme

An afternoon at the carnival can be magical and fun. Why not bring that magic to a birthday party by hosting a carnival at your party?
Set up carnival booths at your venue where guests can compete for prizes.
Games that make fun DIY booths include:
- Bean bag tosses
- Balloon darts
- Ping-pong toss
- Tin can alley
Your child can help create and decorate their booths, making it a customizable 11-year-old birthday party idea. With Peerspace, you can also opt to book venues that come fully loaded with all the decor and amenities you need.
For instance, check out this indoor/outdoor event space in the Reseda neighborhood of Los Angeles, CA. It’s a spacious open-air venue with over 6,000 square feet of manicured lawn ideal for setting up your carnival! It also includes seating for your guests, a Bluetooth speaker, carnival lighting, and kitchen appliance use. It’s easy to see how you can pull together a themed birthday party for your child with ease here.
2. Throw a movie party to screen your kid’s favorite films

While a day at the movies is exciting and fun, nothing beats the coziness of watching your favorite movies at home.
Why not capture theater vibes by hosting a day of movies for your tween’s birthday party? Have your 11-year-old pick out their favorite movie, then find a Peerspace home theater for rent in your area — like this spacious and well-equipped theater in Brooklyn, NYC. This theater seats 70 guests and provides all the equipment you need to screen your child’s favorite movies.
Meanwhile, there’s also this luxury home with tons of natural light in Nashville, TN that provides you with a home theater room. It boasts a 150″ screen and a popcorn maker! The kids will also love the fact that there’s a pool in the backyard for their enjoyment, too.
No matter which venue you choose, your child and their guests can veg out on the sofas and much popcorn while their favorite flick plays on the big screen. Sounds like an awesome, lowkey 11-year-old birthday party idea to us.
3. 11 is the perfect age for a pajama party

At 11, your child might be ready to dip their toes into their first slumber party. But if you’d rather avoid having guests spending the night, why not host a slumber party during the day instead?
Guests can show up in pajamas, hang out in sleeping bags, and snack on popcorn and other goodies. It’s all the slumber party fun without any actual sleeping over. It’s also a good excuse to build a blanket fort — which you’re never too old for.
Discover more creative ideas for tween birthday parties here!
4. Treat your little gamer to a gaming party

If you ask any 11-year-old what they want to be when they grow up, they might answer a “pro gamer” or “video game streamer.” If your child is an aspiring pro gamer, try encouraging them with a video game-themed party where they can play with their friends. (Is your kid specifically obsessed with the game Fortnite? Scroll down to item number 12 on this list for advice on planning a Fortnite birthday party!)
Want to give them an authentic pro experience? Then Peerspace has arcade rentals and pro gamer lounges available where you can game in style. All you need is your favorite multiplayer game and some extra controllers for everyone.
Some of our favorites include:
- This gaming lounge in Chicago, IL (pictured above) with tons of seating and games for kids and adults
- This open game room in Alexandria, VA with foosball, shuffleboard, arcade games, and pool tables
- This retro gamer’s lounge in Wilmington, NC with video games from the 70s until today
- This tech center in Long Beach, CA with Nintendo Switches and PS5s and optional catering
- This rustic barn and arcade in Hartford City, IN with retro arcade games, billiards, and darts
5. Get creative in the kitchen with a bake-off party

Is your child obsessed with cooking shows like Master Chef Junior or the British Bake-off? Then you’re going to love 11-year-old birthday party ideas like this one. Host a birthday bake-off where your child and their guests can put their culinary skills to the test.
Break out your favorite box mix and allow everyone to work together and bake a batch of cupcakes — or another fun treat. Ensure you have all the equipment you need and plenty of space to boot by booking a venue with a kitchen on Peerspace.
One of our favorite options is this gorgeous baby blue light-filled gourmet kitchen in Chicago, IL! It features professional-grade kitchen appliances and a dining and lounge area.
When the cupcakes are done, allow your guests to decorate them with frosting and sprinkles and customize them with toppings, like:
- Chocolate chips
- Fruit
- Berries
- Marshmallows
Your 11-year-old can also judge the cupcakes based on their decorations and flavor combos and crown a star baker. Sounds like a fun and delicious party activity to us!
Learn more about how and where to rent a kitchen for a day and discover more beautiful kitchen rentals near you!
6. Turn your kid into a superstar for a day with a karaoke party

If you’ve got an 11-year-old who loves to sing, then try hosting a karaoke party where they can belt out their favorite songs.
You can easily find karaoke versions of popular songs on YouTube. All you need is a mic and speakers to complete the vibe. Or, you may prefer to host your party at a karaoke venue so all the necessary equipment is set up before your arrival.
One of our favorites is this eclectic and urban event space in Los Angeles, CA that boasts a colorful ambiance and pro-grade equipment. The fact that it has incredible murals and an on-site cafe is sure to delight both the kids and their parents!
7. Let them expel that energy with a fun dance party

Instead of singing, would your birthday boy/girl rather dance? Try hosting a dance party where they and their friends can practice their best dance moves.
If you want to upgrade the occasion, a dance studio rental venue with a dance floor can make their dance party feel super special. While there are dance studios available on Peerspace to you across the globe, we especially love this dance studio with natural light in London, UK. It boasts barn doors for ventilation, professional dance floors, a mirror wall, and a sound system. It’ll transform your dance party into something like a kid-friendly dance club made for tweenage fun.
8. Let them run wild in a controlled environment with a Parkour party

At 11, your child might be ready for bigger athletic challenges than the local playground. Why not head to a parkour gym and let them work on their moves? Peerspace can help you out there, too!
Consider renting a space like this unique parkour facility in Southlake, TX. It has tons of obstacles kids can jump, climb, and run over creatively. Plus, they’ll get to run off the sugar rush from their birthday cake!
Because it’s never too early to start planning, check out our 12 unique 12th birthday party ideas!
9. A classic for a reason: host a pool party

Need a way to cool off for a spring or summer birthday party? Easy, just head to the pool! Kids can have a blast jumping, splashing, and swimming together in the water. If you don’t have a pool in your own backyard, you can find the perfect pool for rent near you on Peerspace. It’s one of the most perfect 11-year-old birthday party ideas for summertime.
For instance, this outdoor private pool oasis in Stonecrest, GA has a gorgeous in-ground pool, loungers, a fire pit, a barbecue grill, and optional add-on outdoor kitchen and outdoor movie-watching equipment for the total birthday party package.
We also adore this desert oasis with a massive resort-style backyard in Phoenix, AZ (pictured above). The backyard includes a circular five-foot-deep play pool, outdoor dining spaces, cabanas, and outdoor games. Your child may never want to leave this amazing Peerspace!
10. Delight your little artist with a painting party

If your kid loves to draw or paint, here’s one of the most awesome 11-year-old birthday party ideas for you.
Try hosting a painting party where your child can explore their artistic side. You could hire an instructor to teach everyone how to paint their own version of the same painting. Or, just hand out art supplies and go totally freestyle.
If you need easels and room for everyone to work, a Peerspace arts and crafts studio is the perfect spot for creative birthday fun. If you’re in San Diego, CA, then you need to see this sweet and cheery workshop and creative space in North Park. It has a spacious workshop table with seating for 12, a large-screen monitor, speakers, and a kitchen for your use.
11. A laser tag party is fun for all ages

Laser tag is always a fun activity for 11-year-olds. Heck, it’s fun, no matter how old you are. So why not stage your birthday party at a laser tag arena? It’s an awesome place to celebrate a birthday party.
Your child will get to indulge in their competitive side as they blast their opponents with lasers. And if you or any of the parents want to join in, we won’t judge.
12. Go all out with a Fortnite birthday party

If your tween seems to spend hours every day playing Fortnite (or wishes they could), plan them a Fortnite birthday party for a party theme that truly embraces the things they enjoy most!
Start by transforming the space where you’re planning the party with Fortnite-related decor like llama piñatas — which will provide not only fun decor but also a great party activity — and Fortnite photo background banners where guests can take immersive photos for posterity. You might also plan activities like a real-life scavenger hunt or a dance-off featuring popular Fortnite emotes.
Choosing the right food and drink is also going to be crucial for this theme! For instance, make this easy recipe for Fortnite slurp juice to recreate one of the game’s beverages in real life, or bake a decadent and colorful Fortnite birthday cake (here are a bunch of great ideas for these to get you started). Consider asking guests to come dressed as their favorite Fortnite skins to cultivate an atmosphere that’s especially evocative of the game—Party City offers tons of Fortnite costume options that’ll make dressing up extra easy.
Also important: the location of your tween’s party! If you can’t have it at home—or don’t want to—you can always rent out a Peerspace party venue near you. This high-tech “command center” for eSports and gaming in Arcadia, CA is a great option, as is this gaming center space in Gilbert, AZ with tons of computers and several Nintendo and Xbox systems.
Whether your tween and their guests are bigger fans of Battle Royale or Save the World, they’re sure to enjoy a party that offers an immersive experience of the Fortnite universe!
Discover more exciting Fortnite party ideas here!
13. Nurture their curiosity with a scavenger hunt party

Planning a scavenger hunt as the focal point of the event will help turn your tween’s party into a total hit, providing their guests with an engaging activity that ensures no one gets bored. You can also plan to hold the scavenger hunt in your backyard or living room, at a local park, or at a suitable backyard rental from Peerspace — whatever works best!
When the guests arrive, hand out custom maps and envelopes containing the first scavenger hunt clue. They’ll dive straight into solving riddles and tackling challenges that lead them to the big prize. Challenge guests to decipher codes and solve puzzles, and as they solve each clue, they’ll unlock the next step, approaching the grand finale. Spice things up and set an exciting tone by incorporating a theme such as pirates hunting treasure or secret agents on a mission.
A scavenger hunt is tons of fun, but it’s also a lesson in teamwork. As the group conquers these puzzles and challenges together, your tween and their pals will learn to cooperate and celebrate victories as a team. Meanwhile, the excitement of the unknown will keep them hooked for hours.
So for a birthday idea that’s more than the usual routine of eating cake and opening presents, consider a scavenger hunt party. It’ll make your tween’s birthday bash unforgettable!
14. Get artsy with a sweet DIY craft party

Here’s another idea that’ll make for an epic tween birthday bash: a DIY craft party! Providing guests with opportunities to get hands-on and let their creativity run wild, transform your space into a DIY haven for your group of young craftspeople.
Our friends in San Francisco, CA may want to book a Peerspace like this bright and colorful DIY maker space art studio in the Hayes Valley. It’s an adorable venue with all the space and equipment you need to throw an arts and crafts party for your tween.
One of the best things about throwing a DIY craft party is that your guests’ creations are pretty much the ultimate party favors, so they’ll all get to leave with a fantastic homemade memento. This saves you from having to buy tons of expensive party favors—instead, you’ll simply have to purchase the supplies required for whatever crafts you end up planning.
Not sure where to get started? Check out these fun craft ideas for tweens from The Spruce Crafts for major inspo—their suggestions range from colorful homemade bath bombs to rainbow tie-dye shoes, personalized flower pots, beautifully marbled smartphone cases, and tote bags made out of old T-shirts.
Before you choose, though, be sure to check in with your tween about which craft ideas they’d be the most interested in, and let them take the lead in making the decision. The more input they give on party planning, the more excited they’ll be about the end result (we’ll discuss this even more in the next item on this list, so be sure to keep reading).
15. Let your tween give input on the party food choices

As your child gets older, they’ll probably want to start having more say in planning their birthday parties than they did as a little kid! Especially as they transition from childhood to adolescence, their interests and preferences will become more pronounced—letting them choose their party menu not only gives the party a more personal and meaningful touch but also fosters a sense of empowerment and helps them feel involved.
Although the traditional pizza and cake combo is an awesome choice for party food, don’t be afraid to think outside the box, especially if your almost 11-year-old is an adventurous eater. In general, today’s tweens are more adventurous when it comes to their taste buds than those of the past, and involving them in the process ensures that their party menu will reflect their evolving palate.
How to involve your teen in menu decisions
Start by having a casual conversation with your tween about their favorite foods, snacks, and treats. Do they have a preferred cuisine or a go-to comfort food? Incorporate these preferences into their menu to make the celebration represent them more effectively.
You can even take it a step further and organize a mini food-tasting session at home. Experiment with a few different appetizers, finger foods, and desserts, allowing your tween to provide feedback on what they enjoy the most. This can even be a bonding experience for the two of you!
Do your best to indulge your tween’s preferences while also providing a well-rounded menu that caters to all your guests. For instance, be sure to offer satisfying vegetarian or gluten-free options if there’s a chance that anyone at the party will have those dietary restrictions.
Plus, if you don’t want to throw the party in your own home and would prefer to rent a venue, you can use Peerspace to find venues that come with working kitchens to make preparing food for the party on-site especially easy.
For example, this Instagrammable, trendy event space in Austin, TX has a kitchen as well as tons of natural light, three crystal chandeliers, and even a pink neon sign! And this multipurpose space at Le Village Cowork in Chicago, IL is another great example of what Peerspace has to offer when it comes to affordable and appealing spaces for kids’ parties.
16. Don’t forget to hand out fun party favors
When you’re throwing a tween birthday party, nailing the party favors is one of the best ways to ensure that your party guests will be raving about their experience for weeks to come! Skip the generic stuff—there’s way too much plastic junk that no one wants out there being marketed as party favors for kids. Instead, opt for favors that match your tween’s vibe and interests as well as their chosen party theme. Create thoughtful swag bags filled with items that are fun, functional, or ideally, a combination of the two.
For the trendy bunch, choose accessories that’ll allow your guests to make a style statement.
Our favorite accessories include:
- Cool beaded bracelets
- Funky sunglasses
- DIY tie-dye bandanas
- And more!
Even if they’re small and relatively simple, tech gadgets are another party favor that’ll make your guests “ooh” and “ahh.”
Our favorite tech favors include:
- Mini portable speakers
- Cute and colorful earphones
- Or if your kid is more of an artistic and creative type, they and their guests will probably appreciate mini art kits or DIY craft supplies
Everyone loves snacks, so edible party favors are always a safe choice.
Our favorite sweet snack options include:
- Baking or purchasing personalized cookies
- Filling jars with delicious, colorful candies
Be sure to search for party favor snack ideas that are relevant to the party theme, if there is one—Pinterest in particular holds a wealth of thematic ideas that are easy to browse and that’ll help you get inspired. These party favors kids will actually use are super helpful and spot-on.
Whatever you choose, make sure to tailor the party favors to your tween and their friends’ interests, so each guest leaves the party with something they’ll enjoy. These kinds of thoughtful touches can help turn a party from just another gathering into an event that’ll stick in their minds long after the celebration ends!
17. Let them get sporty by booking time at a sports complex

Is your 11-year-old a ball of energy, but doesn’t like to confine themselves to just one sport or activity? Then you need to take your kid and their friends to a sports complex, quite like the ones you can find in cities everywhere through Peerspace!
For instance, you can book this multi-functional indoor/outdoor sports complex in Los Angeles, CA (pictured above) if your kid loves soccer, kickball, dancing, and more. No matter the weather, this venue provides you with plenty of fun sports areas to keep the kids energized and having a blast.
Across the country in Philadelphia, PA, you can also rent the Clubhouse at Elite Sports and enjoy batting cages, basketball courts, and even table games like foosball and ping pong. Many places you rent even offer an inclusive birthday party package so you know what to expect for the total price up front. Your kiddo and their friends will love every minute when celebrating at amazing venues like these!
11 year old birthday party ideas: conclusion

With these 11 year old birthday party ideas in mind and the perfect celebration venue rental care of Peerspace for the setting, your kid is about to have the best birthday ever! Since they are getting closer to their teenage years (we’re sorry to bring that part up again!) it means you can consult them and see which idea(s) they like best.
Don’t forget to take plenty of pictures and enjoy every moment of this special birthday party!
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