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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask you to help plan some party games for my 13 year old to be…

39 replies

Runnerupthehill · 29/01/2023 18:01

So… it’s my daughter’s birthday in two weeks. I’m having it in the shed (nicer than it sounds!) Having about 20 people (all girls).

Got karaoke and a few other tricks up my sleeve but I want to get them involved in some team games. This is where you lovely lot come in!! Any ideas for team or any kind of party games that teens will like that won’t be too ‘cringe’ please?

Doing it myself so the cheaper the better!

OP posts:
Icannoteven · 29/01/2023 18:15

Im not sure 13 year olds want to play party games as such. Maybe something like twister or Table tennis though. Video games possibly?

onionringcheeseypuff · 29/01/2023 18:16

Karaoke I love that idea

Pizza

Photo booth props or the blow up picture frame the poundshop does

Sweets

Leave em to it

VanCleefArpels · 29/01/2023 18:18

Games = Cringe for young teens

Don’t helicopter them at that age

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 29/01/2023 18:18

I don't think you need to be involved in a 13 year olds birthday party. If they want to play any games then your DD won't appreciate you getting involved.

The photo props/giant frame is a good idea though

Daydre4mer · 29/01/2023 18:20

My 13yr old would want me to sort food and drinks, help with arranging the room (sofas, been bags etc) make sure they have music and movies maybe ?
no games though. She would die 🤣

multivac · 29/01/2023 18:20

My kids had fun with the cereal box game at about that age. You have to pick it up with your teeth, no hands, arms or knees to touch the floor. After each round, you cut an inch off the top of the box. It gets very competitive!

mistopheles · 29/01/2023 18:27

Wink murder is fab at any age, especially if they have watched traitors.

Hesma · 29/01/2023 18:30

Just asked my DD who is 12 and she said she’d rather have things like nail painting, face masks etc..

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 29/01/2023 18:32

If you are doing kareoke already, I'd just add a box of props, as grown up as you can manage, and a selfie frame for them to pose behind.

Good idea on a box of nail polishes etc. Just leave them out they'll dip on if they fancy.

Notimeforaname · 29/01/2023 18:35

Don't do games. Leave them to it.
Or, simply ask your child if she wants to play games. She'll tell you what she wants.

Rachie1973 · 29/01/2023 18:37

Noooooo! Don’t ‘plan’ her party for her! Food, drinks, and leave them be.

Beamur · 29/01/2023 18:38

Taskmaster.
Look up 'minute to win it'.
Board games - teams play against each other, simple fast ones like 5 second rule, articulate,etc.

PennyToffee · 29/01/2023 18:43

No organised games
Karaoke
Selfie props
Nail varnish/face masks
Pop
Crisps
pizza

Singleandproud · 29/01/2023 18:43

If this is a friends party and not a family one you need to provide her with:
A nice space, plenty of seating, fairy lights or those colour hanging leds,
Music or TV - karaoke is great. My form used to love to play Just Dance at christmas, you don't need the game just youtube and a TV screen / projector they can follow the dance on.
Food, drinks and bins for rubbish to go in most will tidy up after themselves

I might dig out things like twister, bop it and similar games and leave them in a basket for any quieter children to play if they don't like singing. The props box is a great idea too.

Leave them to it.

autumncrisp · 29/01/2023 18:44

Absolutely no games. Supply the food and let them get on with it. Don't get involved, they're not 10.

Hoppinggreen · 29/01/2023 18:44

Yeah, don’t do it.
Provide food and stuff to do then make yourself scarce

hopeishere · 29/01/2023 18:47

Agree games with you hovering would be awful.

Pamper station
Karaoke
Twister

Ohdearnotagain76 · 29/01/2023 18:47

If you have a karaoke look at the new music game show the jam or something? It's hosted by Mo Gillingham

takealettermsjones · 29/01/2023 18:48

I would play the Magic Disappearing Act: providing ample food and snacks and then leaving them alone! They only want to talk about which are the fittest boys in their year anyway, they don't want to do that in front of mum. 😆

EternalSunshine19 · 29/01/2023 18:49

takealettermsjones · 29/01/2023 18:48

I would play the Magic Disappearing Act: providing ample food and snacks and then leaving them alone! They only want to talk about which are the fittest boys in their year anyway, they don't want to do that in front of mum. 😆

Completely agree

ChillinwiththeVillains · 29/01/2023 18:50

Mocktail station with the little umbrellas etc., nice straws. Seems to be all about the ‘gram atm, so anything that makes for good photos would likely be a hit (also ebay sell great cheap wigs)

gettingalifttothestation · 29/01/2023 18:53

Leave them be

AtleastitsnotMonday · 29/01/2023 18:53

Have you asked your dd what she would like? I agree that most teens consider themselves beyond party games. However, 13 is an age where some are still quite young so it reall6 depends on your dd and her friends.
If she does want games I'd probably go for food based games. The after 8 game, roll the dice dress up with hat and gloves and eat chocolate game, eat skittles or smarties with chop sticks, maybe hounuts on a string?

ProfYaffle · 29/01/2023 18:55

Ask her what she wants? At that age mine needed a bit of planning and prep, things like themed food, a stack of available movies, VR/wii games etc but nothing beyond that

Duchessofmuchness · 29/01/2023 18:56

ChillinwiththeVillains · 29/01/2023 18:50

Mocktail station with the little umbrellas etc., nice straws. Seems to be all about the ‘gram atm, so anything that makes for good photos would likely be a hit (also ebay sell great cheap wigs)

On similar theme we did an ice cream sundae station at similar age. Ice cream tubs, scoop, choc sauce , some chopped up strawberries and blue berries, cans of squirting cream and sprinkles. And some bowls or cups to put it in