20 Actually-Cool Party Themes For Teens

Throwing a party for a teen can be a little harrowing. If you get the theme wrong, you may forever be branded as “uncool.” So, no pressure or anything, but make sure you pick right amongst our favorite party themes for teens below!

Luckily, with our list of actually cool party themes for teens, you can’t go wrong. Any of the ideas on this list will be a surefire hit. Just make sure to check in with your teen(s) before you finalize the theme—they can tell you if the one you’ve chosen is, in fact, actually cool.

As you choose one of these party themes for teens, imagine your dream party venue. Then visit Peerspace to choose from numerous party venues for rent near you! The site offers tens of thousands of event venue rental options across hundreds of cities, so it’s almost certain there’ll be a venue that you (and your teen!) really love.

1. Awaken their inner sleuth with a murder mystery

We’re putting this party theme for teens at the top of the list because it’s one of our favorites by far. This guide will walk you through every step of planning this type of party since it requires a bit more foresight than many other party themes/activities.

For a murder mystery party, the setting is everything! Consider hosting the event at a mysterious Peerspace event venue, like this historic 1900 artistic craftsman home in Nashville, TN. Your teen and their friends will love exploring all the different rooms while sussing out whodunit.

2. Let them sing out their emotions with karaoke

Karaoke might not be for everyone, but teens who love to sing will adore a karaoke party theme since it’s pretty much just an opportunity for them to belt out their favorite tunes. Get the perfect venue and all the equipment you need by searching for karaoke party venues near you on Peerspace.

3. Make it a movie night to remember

If you’ve got a burgeoning film buff on your hands, encourage their fascination with this medium by throwing a movie night party with all their favorite flicks.

Bonus points if it’s warm enough to have the screening outside in the backyard, under the stars! This cozy intimate backyard cinema in Pasadena, CA is exactly what we have in mind.

4. Host a dreamy winter wonderland party

Planning a party in the middle of winter? Embrace the coldest season with a “winter wonderland” themed party that celebrates the beauty of ice and snow!

5. Plan a “Dress as a meme” costume party

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What an amazing costume party idea! Ask everyone in attendance to dress up as their favorite memes. Watch this video for some seriously great examples.

These smashing masquerade party ideas are for adults, but you can tweak any you like to make them more teen-friendly. Check them out!

6. Or opt for a non-Halloween costume party

Halloween or not, any time of year is a great time to throw a costume party. Having a general theme for your costume party can be helpful, so ask your teen to consider whether they’d like to establish some sort of dress code in advance.

7. Get whimsical with a fairytale ball

How about party themes for teens that seem straight out of Cinderella? We love the idea of a lovely fairytale ball where everyone wears their nicest outfits! Impress your teen by renting out an actual ballroom through Peerspace, like Century Ballroom in the historic Odd Fellows building in Seattle, WA.

8. Base the party on their favorite city

Another super cool party theme would be to use your teen’s favorite city as the theme of your party. For instance, if they love New York City, use iconic imagery like the yellow taxicab, the Empire State Building, Broadway, and so forth.

9. Let them channel that energy during laser tag

A trip to your local laser tag center is a thrilling focus for a party, especially if your teen enjoys athletic challenges and competition.

10. Get creative with a sweet cookie-decorating party

Cookies you decorate yourself just taste a little bit better, so a cookie-decorating party is a winner! It’s a great option around the holidays, but almost no one is saying no to cookies, no matter what time of year it is.

11. Make it an early 2000s throwback

You may feel like the early 2000s were yesterday, but if you’re currently the parent of a teen, remember that they weren’t even alive during that era! So to them, the early 2000s feel retro. As a bonus, the fashion and aesthetics of that era are back in style, making 2000s party outfit shopping a breeze.

Check out our favorite Y2K party ideas to bring this idea to life with the right venue, decor, and more!

12. Or bring it way back (to them, anyways!) with a 90s throwback

Perhaps your teen is more into the fashion, music, and culture of the 90s. Then make the 90s the focus of their party, instead. It’s one of our favorite retro party themes for teens!

13. Create a thrilling backyard obstacle course

Set up an obstacle course in your backyard for an afternoon of fun. You can even make it competitive by timing everyone as they go through it and awarding prizes to the guests with the fastest times.

14. A classic for a reason: plan a pool party

Throw a classic pool party, if the weather allows! If you don’t have access to a pool of your own, you can always rent a pool near you on Peerspace. This colorful pool and backyard space in Los Angeles, CA is just one awesome example and is definitely teenager-approved.

Check out the rest of our pool party ideas to make a splash with your teen and their friends!

15. Make it sweet and unique with a spring theme

With a pastel color scheme, plenty of flowers (real or fake) for decor, and other spring-inspired touches, you’ll be able to put together a sweet and cheerful spring-themed party in no time.

16. Plan a gaming party for all the young gamers out there

For teens who love video games, why not plan a video game-themed party? Having a bunch of their friends over to play their favorite games while enjoying delicious snacks and good music is perhaps the most epic way to spend an afternoon.

17. Celebrate their gifts with a talent show

Not every teen is going to find this theme idea cool. But teens with a flair for drama and a love of performance will almost certainly enjoy putting on a talent show for all their friends.

18. Reconnect with nature (and each other) while camping

Head out to a nearby campsite with your teen and a group of friends, then let them hang out and have a blast together (under supervision, of course, especially around the campfire). For a teen who’s big on aesthetics, treat them to a party at this Scandi-style modern A-frame cabin on the lake in Lavonia, GA. It’s for intimate gatherings of up to 6 guests, so be sure to only bring your teen and their besties for this bonding experience in nature.

19. Get decadent with a chocolate-tasting party

Chocolate lovers will be thrilled about a chocolate-tasting party theme. We strongly recommend a chocolate fountain as the centerpiece, if possible!

20. Make them feel like an adult with a fancy dinner party

If your teen is a big foodie who enjoys trying new recipes, allow them to share the results of their culinary skills by helping them throw a fancy dinner party. “Fancy” is a relative term, of course—for some, it might mean as little as setting the table with a white tablecloth, while for others, it can mean renting out a mansion as your venue for the evening.

Party themes for teens: conclusion

Now that you’ve reviewed all these party themes for teens, are you still searching for an actually-cool venue to go with your actually-cool teen party? Check out what’s available for your event on Peerspace, the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals. It’s the easiest (and most fun!) way to book a cool venue that matches your theme perfectly.

Find unique party venues on Peerspace