Six Epic Sweet 16 Party Themes

Turning 16 is a rite of passage and the first milestone towards adulthood. It is the year most teens get their license and, with it, the opportunity for a little more freedom. Turning 16 calls for a celebration that fits your teen’s style, while offering entertainment, food, and fun that the guests will never forget. Check out some of these sweet sixteen party themes.

Boho 

Boho is an eclectic and artistic style with an emphasis on nature and organic elements. It is one of the big themes this year and is perfect for your free-spirited teen. Decorate the space with soft flowing cloth, bright designs of warm colors, and dried flowers. Charcuterie served on decorative wood slices or in individual mini glass jars would be an ideal choice for food. For entertainment, consider hiring a Henna artist or a macramé instructor. Henna artists create beautiful designs on your hands or feet with henna paste that stains the skin. Beware, the henna design will remain for 1-5 weeks.          

Glamping

Glamping is the personified version of a sleepover party, taking place in a glamorous setting. You can set up your own indoor gathering space with mini tents, fluffy pillows, and soft lighting. If you would rather not host in your home, consider booking a stay at a treehouse or boutique hotel. Foil packet recipes would pair beautifully with a campfire setting as do community pots of hot soups, chilis or seafood chowder. For entertainment, try a boujeer version of camp crafts like tie-dye blankets for the partygoers to take home with them. You can also set up camping-related games like scavenger hunts or play Telestrations around the campfire.

Stranger Things

If your teen is a fan of Stranger Things on Netflix, consider this as a theme for their Sweet Sixteen party. Have all the guests come dressed in 80s clothes and accessories. Food ideas include a waffle bar (character Eleven’s obsession) with fun toppings like chocolate chips, fruit, and whipped cream. You can also add a little protein with chicken and waffle sliders. There are dozens of 80’s game options like Name that 80’s tune, 80’s version of Family Feud or Jeopardy, or a challenge like Name 11 Things (colors, car models, dog breeds, etc.). 

A Night in Paris

Paris gives off a glamorous chic vibe, even for people who have never been. Ask your guests to come dressed in black, white or pink. Serve Parisian-style croissants and different cheeses with a glass of non-alcoholic bubbly. Want to try to learn a little French? Stream a popular movie in French with English subtitles. France is well known for its artists, so hire a painting instructor and let the guests replicate a famous French painting like Water Lilies by Claude Monet. 

Amazing Race

If your teen is a fan of The Amazing Race, this is a fun Sweet Sixteen theme. Break the group up into teams of two. You can find printables for the game online to set up pit stops, challenges, detours, and roadblocks. Rope in some of your neighbors to host challenges, so the players must travel on foot and find a specific house. You can use some of the food challenges from past seasons to feed your guests. Cheese fondue (Season 18) and sushi (Season 15) were used in previous TV show seasons.         

The Roaring 20s

We only get to use this Prohibition theme for a few more years, so why not try it for a Sweet Sixteen? Tell everyone to put on their favorite flapper dress, Panama hat, and suspenders and get ready to party like it’s 1923! Set up Black Jack tables in your Speakeasy, and give everyone the secret code word to get in. Hire someone to teach your guests the Charleston or the Fox Trot. Serve shrimp cocktail, deviled eggs, stuffed mushrooms, and finger sandwiches. Don’t forget the mocktails – they are prohibited after all. 

Pam Molnar is the mother of three and an avid party planner. She believes the best parties include a theme, good food, and fun games.