Planning a Disco for my 13-year-old, help!

[Ragatha]

DD turns 13 this summer and says she wants a disco. There are some decent halls nearby we could have it in.

I know a DJ who might do it.

But, what else do I need to think of?

This is my first party for a teenager, so any tips from the wise are much appreciated - except for "are you mad?! Don't do it!" - we probably are. But we're doing it anyway

Timings? Numbers?

I have a 13 year old and I suspect a disco would be…. Awkward at this age

what are you thoughts around food/snacks? Instead of a traditional party Buffett, for my DD we set up a snack station with crisps, popcorn, sweets etc. went down a storm and no waste.

Ooh, that looks lovely, thanks!

No thoughts about food here yet other than "I guess we should think about food"!

DD loves music and dancing and some of her mates do to, so I'm sure they'll be grand. But yes, I wonder how to make the shyer DC feel included.

Perhaps we need to get a venue with two rooms so we can have a "chill out" space.

Would she be able to come up with playlists ?

Timings are up to us / the venues we choose.

I'm thinking a couple of hours in the evening, probably.

Yes! She's got a huge Spotify playlist already so it would be just a case of seeing which of those are danceable / suitable I guess.

My advice is not to do two rooms. Half the party will end up in one of them, half in the other. Disaster.

Get a DJ who can jolly them along. Don't have music all afternoon (or early eavening). Have a break of 30 mins or so. Have some other stuff to focus on as well.

So: general milling around. Bit of food. Dancey music for 30 mins. Stop music, sti down and eat party food. 30 mins more music. Leave them wanting more.

How many? Girls and boys?

Not sure yet, probably about 25 or so, all girls except some family members.

the issue is that at this age the discrepancy between girls can be vast.

Some will be wearing makeup, snap chat etc
Some will still be playing with dolls and no phone at all

Where does your daughter fit in?

She's getting really into music, she's pretty mature for her age in terms of music tastes and her interests, and her clothes are getting very teenagery! However she still has a sense of playfulness that's lovely.

She and her friends are a friendly bunch, and not really into Snapchat, tiktok and all that malarkey (thank goodness!). They do have phones though and like most teens I know would spend 24-7 online if only we'd let them!

How long are you planning it to be?
If an hour, I think just music and food is fine.
But if any more, I’d set up a table with some craft stuff they can help themselves too. Look on baker Ross for bookmarks, keyrings - they’ve got ones that will go down with older kids too. Decorate own biscuits etc. I’d look for a venue where you can have a disco and craft area with better lighting than the disco….!

So I'm guessing she likes Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, maybe Taylor Swift?

A frindship bracelet station would be great.

Could you get a Polaroid camera from eBay and make a Photo Booth? They’ll love that. Or take snaps and get them printed out afterwards, which would be much cheaper. An experienced DJ would be best - they can hassle them with requests!

Photo type booth with props. Maybe a couple of the big scale garden games like connect four and jenga for those that don’t dance.

The problem with Polaroid cameras is you can't share the photos. Definitely a good idea for a "photo booth" though! Or hold-up frames they can shoot selfies/groupies through.

OP says the girl are not very online, so this was a suggestion for something they could physically take away.

Out of 25…. Some will definitely have Snapchat etc

About 2 hours or so, I think.

Yes, good idea to have some kind of activity...

Trying to think of something disco themed!

That would have been spot on... Last year!

Apparently all those are on the banned list now - can't keep up 😁

DD has eclectic taste in music. She's more indie band / mini rock chick, rather than mainstream pop these days. Her own personal playlist includes Nirvana, Blondie, Kate Bush, Artic Monkeys, Diana Ross, weird Japanese music and a load of newer stuff I don't recognise that seems to include a lot of shouty women, plus a load of absolute dross from the sound tracks of the you tube shows she and her friends watch!

We'll have to craft it into an actual playable disco list, that might be a bit of a challenge but I'm up for it! Or we may just book a DJ and give them that job...

Ooh, I LOVE this idea!!!

This is genius. Just had a look at Polaroid cameras and the reviews seems to say the pics aren't great quality, but I'm sure we could DIY this somehow...

Love the big games idea too, thanks!

Sorry if I gave the wrong impression, they do go online, but they're just not into Snapchat or Tiktok.

They're more into animation series with big fandoms and terrible music on YouTube.

However, I love the Polaroid idea, especially as it's physical. Trying to think how I could mock up a Polaroid style pic with my home printer...

They’re not great but still a nice treat occasionally. I paid a random guy about 5 euro for some a Polaroid at Montmartre a couple of years ago. It’s the spontaneity! Not sure how they perform in semi dark either.