12th birthday ideas

[parrotonmyshoulder]

Can anyone share good ideas for DC’s 12th birthday? She has chosen a restaurant and wants one friend to go with us. We’re just back from holiday and she doesn’t want to go anywhere in particular. I feel I struggle to get the balance right between making it special FOR her and letting her choose what we do. There seems to be something missing, but I don’t know what.
There will be presents, of course. She loves to plan her own cake, so even that isn’t a surprise.
Thanks.

is there an aqua park near you? that has been a popular option for recent birthdays for a few of my ds friends who have recently turned 12.

If that is the only thing that she wants to do then I don't see what is wrong with that 🤷

Thanks. I don’t think it is the only thing she wants to do, more that she can’t think of what to do and I’m no help!

I can book swimming but there’s no water park. She’ll enjoy a swim though.

What are you doing after the restaurant?

Can her friend come back for a sleepover? They could maybe watch a film and you could do things to make it feel special / spoil her at home.

What about having nails done before restaurant? Or nice blow-dry at hairdressers? Trip to the shops in the morning for a new outfit?

It's my DS' birthday tomorrow. He wants to have a cooked breakfast, play crazy golf and have a free pass to access his screens all day.

Doesn't sound very 'special', but that's what he wants!

Cinema
Bowling
Crazy golf
Nails done
Shopping
Sleep over
Film night

Funny how different they all are, isn’t it? She would hate to have nails and hair done! We will do swim in the afternoon and then her friend will stay for a sleepover after the restaurant. We’re camping the next day but she likes to separate her birthday, understandably, having had lots on holidays.

Young Drivers?
My Dc have done them & loved them, expensive but if you’re struggling to find anything else it’s a good surprise.

Give her a nice breakfast and her presents in the morning, she wants to sort out her own cake then a restaurant dinner with a friend. Sounds like a lovely birthday.

Have you got a popcorn machine? They're fun, might be a nice addition to a film at home - if she likes popcorn that is!

www.argos.co.uk/product/7524211

You could make different kinds of popcorn seasoning to put on it: www.liveeatlearn.com/easy-homemade-popcorn-seasoning/

... or buy them www.amazon.co.uk/s?ref=nb_sb_noss_2&k=popcorn+seasoning&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

(Although we usually don't bother with seasoning!)

We do have a popcorn machine, thanks. Good idea.