Looking for things to do on your 18th birthday? Here are 39 of the absolute best 18th birthday party ideas you are sure to love!
Planning your 18th birthday can be quite confusing. There’s so much you can do now that you couldn’t when you were 17. But the thing is, you don’t know where to begin…
No worries! When I turned 18 I had the same thoughts so I know EXACTLY what you’re feeling.
And I’m here to share some really goood 18th birthday decorations, party ideas, and even some gift ideas.So by the end of the post, you’ll have everything you need to remember your 18th birthday for a lifetime to come!
Plus, now that you’re 18 there are few fun game options below that you’ll absolutely love! Keep reading to find out 😉.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
- 18TH BIRTHDAY PARTY IDEAS DECORATIONS
- 18TH BIRTHDAY PARTY GAMES IDEAS
- 18TH BIRTHDAY IDEAS
- 18TH BIRTHDAY PARTY GIFT IDEAS
18TH BIRTHDAY PARTY IDEAS DECORATIONS
1. Numbered Balloons
Numbered Balloons are the highlight of any birthday party, so of course they’re an essential for your 18th birthday party as well!
They seriously make such a great backdrop and are so fun to take pictures with!
2. Selfie Photo Frame
A Selfie Photo Frame is another essential you can’t forget for your 18th birthday party. I mean, look how cute these are!
One of my friends had a similar photo booth at her party and we had a blast taking fun pictures! 10/10 recommend this idea!
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3. 18th Birthday Sign
If you are looking for unique 18th birthday party ideas, this is it! This birthday sign looks like the best thing to have at your party.
This will act as a perfect decoration piece for your birthday party and something you can keep for years to come. Oh and, did I mention it’s less than $10?!
4. Creative Guest Book Idea
Having a guestbook sign as an alternative is much more thoughtful and fun than a simple guestbook. When it comes to 18 birthday party decorations, you know this will impress everyone!
It’s great to keep everyone engaged in writing a short, sweet message for the birthday girl and later can also be given as a gift!
5. A Birthday Sash
Okay, but can you imagine how stunning this birthday sash would look with an equally stunning dress?! When it comes to 18th birthday party ideas for girls, you know they will love this.
It’s such a simple yet elegant way to let everyone know who the party is for.
And, that tiara just completes the whole look, right? 😉
6. Party Decoration Kit
I have never been to a party that doesn’t make use of this whole party decoration kit. It has everything you need; from balloons, tassel garland to a table runner, and much more.
If you are looking to ji*zzle up your 18th birthday by adding fun decor, this is a party kit that will not disappoint!
7. Neon Glow Photo Booth Props
Anything Neon is one of the trendiest 18th birthday party themes of 2023. So, ultimately having a neon glow photo booth is a super fun thing to consider for your birthday party as well!
You can take tons of great pictures with your friends and look back at all of them as a memory later on.10/10 recommend this!
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8. Get a Custom Neon Sign
To continue with the neon theme, having a custom-made neon sign (be it your name or 18th birthday sign, etc.) is insanely genius.
We all know neon colors are the rage right now so incorporating them into your birthday party decorations is the best way to go!
The reviews on this are raving and the seller is actually really nice so whatever personalization you want, she’ll do it!
9. Order Cupcakes
Okay, I’m obsessed with these cupcakes. 😍
I WISH I had these at my 18th birthday party. This is another way to truly enhance your party and impress everyone!
10. Donut Wall Display
If you have seen 18th birthday party ideas Pinterest is filled with these donut walls. I mean who doesn’t love donuts? So if you are planning to have desserts at your party, trust me you NEED this.
Pair it up with this “Donut Grow Up” Banner from Amazon and you have the perfect 18th birthday party decoration!
11. Have an Epic Birthday Cake
What’s a birthday party without the epic cake? Of course, you get any cake you want but something similar to this will just bring a whole different vibe to the party!
Cakes are the highlight of any party (and everyone’s favorite sweet 😜) so make sure to have a cake that will be too good to eat!
12. Balloon Garland as a Backdrop
A Balloon Garland is an inexpensive staple decor, which is especially great if you are looking for 18th birthday party ideas on a budget.
I would totally recommend having this because I’ve seen it in almost every party I have been to and they look soo good!
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13. Add Your Personalization
Recreate this 18th birthday idea:
Don’t these cupcake toppers look adorable? What a fun way to add your own personalization to your birthday party.
You can find tons of cupcake toppers like these on Etsy for less than $20!! So, if you are looking for a different approach than these, I would recommend checking there.
14. Section to take Pictures
Recreate this simple 18th birthday party idea:
Kid you not, disposable cameras are super in right now so this is literally the trendiest option you can easily recreate.
Not only is it great to have a place where everyone can hang around and take pictures but it’s also a fun way to collect all the memories from your birthday party!
15. “Holy sh*t I’m 18” Banner
Now, what better feeling than this?
Funny banners like these uplift any birthday parties so they are a total must-have!
18TH BIRTHDAY PARTY IDEAS GAMES
16. Incoherent Party Game
If you are looking for fun 18th birthday party games to play with your friends, this card game is hands down the best!
It has some really funny gibberish that you have to guess. And with categories like Party and Pop Culture, you will surely have non-stop laughs with your friends!
17. Pick Your Poison Game
This game is going to leave you in shock with some of the preferences your friends have. It has two weird and funny things to choose from (and I mean hilarious ones) that most games usually don’t have.
Fun for all ages but especially great to play with friends. This is a game that spikes funny conversations so you can’t go wrong with it!
18. Not Parent-Approved Card Game
As the card says, this game really isn’t parent-approved haha. If you have/are a funny person in your group, your friends will love to play this game!
You basically have to fill in the blanks with the funniest answers you can think of. I’m sure I would have the best laugh with my friends playing this!
Again, this is not a game for kids so anyone below 18 is not suitable for it. But since you’re 18 now, you get to have fun 😉.
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19. Virtual Games
When it comes to 18th birthday party ideas at home, virtual games are the best way to keep the party up and running.
You would be surprised at how many fun online games you can play with your friends and family over a simple Zoom Call!
Here are a few of my favorite virtual party games:
20. Birthday Party Game Bundle
This is more of a game to play at your birthday party where everyone is involved. It has tons of fun game options like bingo, charades, would you rather, etc.
Games like these are a great way to keep everyone entertained and always create a vibrant, carefree environment at your birthday party.
18TH BIRTHDAY PARTY IDEAS
21. Have A Photoshoot
Have no clue what things to do on your 18th birthday? Plan a photoshoot! Seriously. It’s one of the best 18th birthday party ideas that you’ll remember for a lifetime to come and you’ll have soo much fun doing so. Highly recommend!
22. Karaoke Night
Who wouldn’t love a karaoke night? Jam up to your favorite songs with your loved ones to celebrate the fact that you’re finally an adult now! (or maybe not… since being an adult has its pros and cons haha)
23. Plan A Birthday Picnic
If you don’t know yet, birthday picnics are the “it” in 2023. You will see everyone hopping on the trend and planning a low-key birthday picnic with friends.
This is especially great if you’re looking for affordable and cheap 18th birthday party ideas. I have a whole post that shows exactly how to throw a birthday picnic which you’ll absolutely love.
If you do plan on a picnic, check out 32 Insta-Worthy Birthday Picnic Ideas To Enjoy With Friends.
24. Virtual Party At Home
Once again, if you’re planning to celebrate your 18th birthday party at home, why not consider throwing a virtual party? Get your friends and family on a Zoom Meeting and have a blast!
I am sure there are tons of fun things you can do online (like the virtual games I talked about) Anywho, this shows that you can have a fun 18th birthday party even during lockdown and covid.
25. Watch ANY Movie
Literally. You know how they shoo-ed you away from entering a cinema for an 18+ movie when you clearly weren’t 18? (Ok.. maybe that just happened to me) BUT you don’t have to worry about it anymore! You’re finally free to watch any movie you want.
26. Throw A Pool Party
If you are a Gemini, Cancer, or Leo your birthday falls around summertime which makes total sense to throw a pool party! You can have soo much fun and play tons of exciting games.
Pool Parties are one of the great 18th birthday party ideas that you seriously can’t go wrong with!
27. Go on A Shopping Haul with Friends
Shopping haul is literally every girl’s favorite thing to do, so you can’t go wrong with this idea for your 18th birthday!
Grab all your friends, and have fun shopping around town at your favorite thrift stores. And if you’re lucky, your parents might even give you some good $$ to spend 😉.
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28. Plan a Themed Party
Themed Parties are SO fun and bring out some of the most funniest costumes ever!
Come up with a super unique theme party and invite all your friends over. If I were you, I would give each friend a different theme just to see who they show up as lol.
Some of my favorite party themes are: 90s retro, Hollywood Glamour, and vintage.
29. Free Food From Restaurants
Did you know restaurants offer free food on your birthday?! I tried it for my 18th birthday recently and got some free dessert for myself ;).
Restaurants like Dunkin Donuts, PF Changs’, Starbucks, and many others offer free drinks or desserts.
Here are 24 different restaurants you can get free food from without spending any $$.
18TH BIRTHDAY PARTY GIFT IDEAS
30. Sweatshirt
Can teenagers have enough sweatshirts? The answer: NEVER. So getting them their favorites is a great 18th birthday gift idea!
This one is the most popular sweatshirt for girls and guys that they’ll love.
31. Necklace
You can’t go wrong with getting 18-year-old girls jewelry as a gift! A personalized one makes it even more special.
32. Workout Clothes
If the 18 year old loves all things fitness and likes to take care of their health getting them comfy and stretchable workout clothes is the way to go!
I guarantee you, they will literally wear them 24/7 even when they’re not working out.
33. AirPods
AirPods are the best thing to happen to us! No kidding, they are the coolest invention ever. So obviously they are a great 18th birthday gift idea!
You’ll see almost every teenager with them so you already know any 18-year-old boy or girl would absolutely appreciate them as a gift!
34. Money
Not a gift but a necessity 😜. Now that they have turned 18 they’ll have tons of cool things planned to do. So hand them some cash and let them have fun in this new chapter!
35. Designer Bag
Who doesn’t love designer bags? Any 18-year-old girl loves brands like Aldo, Michael Kors, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, etc. (all that they can’t buy for themselves hah- which makes it a perfect gift option!)
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36. Polaroid Camera
Again, now that they are 18 they’ll be almost everywhere. Gifting a polaroid camera so they can capture fun memories with their friends is a genius 18th birthday gift idea that they’ll be grateful for.
If you do plan to get them a polaroid camera, don’t forget to get them extra sets of films! We teenagers have a habit of taking TONS of pictures lol.
37. Gaming Headset
Any gamer’s ONLY wish is to get a good pair of headsets. If you happen to give them the ones they love, you know they’ll totally love it.
With over 24,000+ reviews and happy customers, you know this is a gift they’ll use every day and for a looong time.
38. Charging Station
Trust me, teenagers have more electronics than anyone in the house combined. So a wireless charging station can help them immensely.
All they have to do is keep their device on this deck and it’ll charge them all automatically for them. Cool right?
39. Gift Box
A gift box is a great 18th birthday gift idea. I usually get my friends gift boxes like these because I know there’s something in there they’ll totally love and use.
Gift a recent 18-year-old a spa gift box like this to help them relax (because let’s admit it, adulting is not fun at all hahaha).
These were the best 18th birthday party ideas. A whole new chapter for you and so much more to come. Make sure to enjoy every last bit of it. Happy 18th!
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