16th birthday party for a boy?

[mumblechum]

Do people still do birthday parties for 16 year olds? I've always organised something, eg paintballing, lazerquest, raft building or whatever, usually at great expense.

This year almost none of ds's friend's have had parties (their 15ths, he's the eldest).

Not sure what to do. One the one hand it would seem v v weird not doing something, on the other, the choices are getting a bit limited. I don't want a house party as I'm a bit precious about the house and dh is the same about the garden.

Any ideas anyone??

[CuppaTeaJanice]

What does your DS want to do?

[mumblechum]

He'll want to do something, but he doesn't have any bright ideas either.

[scurryfunge]

Last year my 15 year old DS went for a curry in town that we paid for with about 8 friends(no adults) He wants to do the same this year.

[mumblechum]

That's a nice idea Scurry. Was it all boys or a mixture?

[scurryfunge]

A mixture but not really girlfriends and boyfriends.

[eatyourveg]

ds1 turned 16 last January, he took the train to London (first solo visit) with some friends for the day.

[pagwatch]

Last year DS1 had a party. he invited over about thirty friends and they had a barbeque in the garden and then slept in the house and in a really big tent in the garden.
We were there so it wasn't crazy but they had a great time.
They were allowed alcohol aslong as their parents agreed and none of them got pissed either - which was good.
Couldn't get into any of the bathrooms until about midday the next day though - all the hair fluffing and primping

[alexsdad]

Go paintballing. It rocks!
Can be quite expensive though, so worth asking for contributions from the others who are coming.
Still, brilliant fun if he is into that sort of thing. (and fathers can enjoy it quite a lot as well )

[alexsdad]

Gahhh - that'll teach me. Just went back and read the WHOLE of the OP and not just a skim read. Obviously you've done the paintballing before. [slinks off]

[frostyfingers]

My dt's (15th bday)went into town with some friends, mooched around in the game shop, went to McD's then came home. I cooked them a big meal and left them watching dvd's with popcorn and shandy. They all seemed to enjoy themselves and are planning a similar day or two this holidays.

[mumblechum]

Thanks everyone. Think the going out for a meal thing would work well. Zizzis have 2 for 1 vouchers on main courses, so hopefully I can keep it down to £20 a head, then maybe some of them back to ours for a sleepover.

Ta everyone