Creative Crayon Club: Parties and Gatherings for Teens

 Creative Crayon Club

This week we will give you some party ideas to have one of those fun safe parties every teen craves 

1. Costume Party

What you need: 

• A great theme 
• An appropriate space for the guests Invitations 
• Music  Supplies for the theme 
• Lots of Food 

What you do:

Think of a great theme for a costume party with your teen.  Make sure it is something hip and cool so that the teenagers can be creative and still dress appropriately.  A great idea is to be pop stars and then have a fun goofy singing contest during the party (try to get a mic set up).  Make a list and have your teen pass out invitations.  Make a supply list and go with your teen to buy everything.  Make sure to have plenty of food, some cool decorations, and everything everything goes along with the theme!  Activities are good too! 

2. Outdoor Bar-B-Que

What you need: 

• A nice outdoor space, preferably with water and/or a big field 
• A grill, table, and some food- make sure to have hamburgers, turkey burgers and veggie burgers, as well as chips and salsa, veggies and dip, etc. to cater to a wide variety of tastes, because teenagers are constantly changing and expressing themselves through outlets such
  as their food choices. 
• Supplies for activities such as: music, a canoe (if you are near water), soccer ball, foosball equipment, a kickball, frisbee, volleyball, and hammocks are always nice. 

What you do: 

Choose the time and place for the party and pass out invitations.    Think of some activities that the teenagers can do during the party.  Teenagers are constantly on the go, so as many physical activities as possible! Teens love pool parties, so if you have access to one, use it… if you are by a body of water, go swimming and have a canoe or kayak on hand.  Teens love physical challenges like setting up a tight rope, relay races, or tetherball, also have an array of sports options for them to choose between such as soccer, kickball, foosball, frisbee, football, basketball (if you have a hoop), and even break out the old trampoline!

Make sure to have plenty of BBQ food – burgers, snacks, ice tea and lemonade, fruits, veggies, and don’t forget the cookies and ice cream!  Feel free to be creative in you dishes… 

3. Scavenger Hunt/ Murder Mystery 

What you need: 

• A Murder Mystery Game or Scavenger Hunt: Usually these are bought all planned out, but if you are feeling extracreative you can do it yourself! 
• Very cool/classy invitations for your teen to pass out. 
• Costumes and props are essential. 
• Music is always good. 

What you do: 

Spend some quality time with your teen planning the party.  These types of things have to be planned very precisely, so this becomes one of the most fun parts of the process.    Pass out the invites and set up for the party (make the list and go shopping together).  Make sure to get some decorations to go along with the theme, and feel free to dress up too!  Give yourself a role as the uninvolved overseer of the building the mystery takes place, or the overseer of the scavenger hunt ‘just making sure they are getting along ok’ so you can be involved in the party without being involved in the actual game. 

Have fun!  and of course … no teen party is complete without a dance-off and/or limbo contest and a lot of food!!!

These party ideas came directly from my eldest daughter.  They are parties we either had or she attended.  And I want to let you know-  She balked at the idea of these parties, her friends loved them.  And by giving her the respect to have a real party, not just a stand around and be stupid party, her self esteem soared.  People still talk about the great parties she had.  So go for fun, be cool, give respect and get respect back. 

Grace E Mauzy, MA
Parent Coach
Helping parents instill high self esteem in their children

http://www.GEMParenting.com
Making families stronger through high self esteem

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