14 Creative Birthday Party Ideas For Tweens

So your tween (your 9- to 12-year-old, otherwise known as a pre-teen) has a birthday coming up, and you want to make it extra special. Sounds like you need a few can’t-miss birthday party ideas for tweens to dazzle your kid!

As the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals, Peerspace is all about helping you plan all your important events with our party ideas and amazing party rental venues. Ahead, we’ve got 14 creative birthday party ideas for tweens along with a few examples of birthday party venues available through Peerspace that would work well for your party. Keep reading to get inspired!

1. Rent an outdoor space for your tween’s party

If weather permits, renting an outdoor party venue through Peerspace is one of our top birthday party ideas for tweens. After all, the venue you choose can make or break the event you’re planning, and a beautiful outdoor space can elevate any event.

2. Kick back and enjoy a movie marathon

Use Peerspace to book a private movie theater so your tween and their friends can watch their favorite shows and movies together.

You can also opt to set up a projector and screen in your backyard or just watch movies in your home living room TV. Plus, this idea goes perfectly with the next one on this list…

3. Opt for a classic and throw a sweet slumber party

An absolute classic and always a winner! Have your tween invite their best buds over for a slumber party. They can do all the classic slumber party activities. If you need more inspiration, here’s a list of 30 fun things to do at a sleepover from Good Housekeeping. Their ideas include making DIY pizzas, building blanket forts, and board games.

Check out our 13 great 13th birthday ideas for when that milestone arrives!

4. Help them create memories with a karaoke birthday party

Does your tween love to sing and be the center of attention? Then a karaoke party will be the ideal choice among all our birthday party ideas for tweens. This can also be one of the activities at your slumber party (see item #3), or with pretty much any of the other ideas on this list. You don’t even need a karaoke machine – just a TV with YouTube videos of karaoke songs and a karaoke microphone.

5. Make it extra sweet with an ice cream sundae bar

Throw together an ice cream sundae bar for a super easy, customizable, and crowd-pleasing dessert option that’s a great alternative to a birthday cake. This is an especially great choice if you know you’ll be having any picky eaters at your party. They can serve themselves only the ice cream and toppings they like. Here’s a helpful guide to creating a DIY ice cream sundae bar at home from Insider.

6. Have a splash-tastic event by throwing a pool party

Pool parties are a popular birthday party idea for tweens for a reason–they’re so fun, and all you really need is a pool, some decor, and some food and drinks to put together a fabulous and memorable gathering!

And if you don’t have one of your own, you can always rent a pool via Peerspace.

7. Take your horse lover on a trail ride

Maybe your tween is a horse lover or has always wanted to try horseback riding. In that case, consider scheduling a trail ride for them and a few of their friends. Many horse stables offer birthday packages that include food and other activities in addition to the ride itself.

8. Get out on the rink and plan an ice skating birthday party

Here’s another idea that’ll get your tween out of the house and potentially try a fun new sport that they might end up falling in love with! Lots of ice skating rinks offer party packages and even lessons if your guests need them. You might even be able to have this party outdoors if it’s cold enough and you have an outdoor rink near you.

9. Organize an epic Nerf showdown

Tweens are the perfect age for a fast-paced, team-based activity like a Nerf war. It gets everyone moving, encourages friendly competition, and makes for awesome group memories. All you need is an open space—like a local park, your backyard, or a Peerspace venue—and some basic cover to create a safe battle zone.

With a little structure and some creative twists, Nerf parties can go way beyond simple shootouts, turning into full-on themed experiences with game modes, prizes, and fun challenges.

10. Experience new thrills together during a road trip birthday party

Is there somewhere cool within a few hours’ drive where your tween and their friends might want to visit? If so, make a day of it and invite a few of their besties for a road trip. In the car, everyone can eat their favorite snacks and blast some killer tunes. This is a super affordable birthday party idea for tweens, but it’s also unique and has lots of fun potential.

Love the idea of celebrating al fresco? Then check out all of our awesome outdoor birthday party ideas next!

11. Capture the memories with an at-home photo booth

It’s super easy to make a photo booth at home, and if your tween likes taking selfies, this will be an awesome addition to their birthday party. For more details, here’s a guide to putting together your own DIY photo booth in seven simple steps.

Would you rather treat your tween to a professional photo booth experience? Then book a photo studio on Peerspace!

12. Combine comfort with the outdoors and have a backyard camping party

Have a backyard and some camping gear (tents, sleeping bags, flashlights, etc.)? Have a backyard camping party! If possible, light a campfire, roast marshmallows, and make s’mores for a truly authentic camping experience.

13. Hold your tween’s party at a space with great views

Looking for birthday party ideas for tweens that will make your child feel very cool and adult? Start by renting a beautiful, aesthetically pleasing venue for their birthday party!

14. Throw a Minecraft party

Minecraft isn’t just for little kids — plenty of tweens are still obsessed with exploring and building inside the blocky world. A Minecraft party can be both fun and age-appropriate, especially if you lean into the game’s collaborative spirit. Set up a gaming lounge where friends can join the same world and build together, or organize challenges like a speed-building contest.

Decor can be as simple as pixel-inspired tableware, green and black balloons, and square-shaped treats that resemble game items. If you want to make the day feel even more immersive, create different “zones” — a gaming area, a crafting or DIY project table, and of course, a snack station to refuel between builds.

Birthday party ideas for tweens: conclusion

Armed with these birthday party ideas for tweens and the perfect private party venue through Peerspace, you’re about to host a party your kid will never forget. Be sure to head to our platform to uncover and book any special venue near you that seems to suit your teen’s style. Have fun and take plenty of pictures!

Planning for a specific age? Whether your child is turning 9, heading into that fun in-between phase around 11, or entering full-on teen mode at 13, finding birthday ideas that match their interests (and energy levels) can make all the difference. We’ve put together age-specific guides—like this one on planning an 11-year-old’s party—with themes, games, and activities to match their vibe.