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

And my point is… of 25 13 year olds, trust me when I say some of them will be on snap chat

I'm sure you're right that some of the attendees will have Snapchat. I was just trying to get across what DD and her friendship group are into, and it's just not Snapchat & Tiktok, at the moment anyway.

Sorry if I'm being a bit dim! I don't know much about Snapchat. Is there some way it will impact the party if some kids have it?

Yes! It could get gatecrashed as lots of kids on Snapchat share locations , people could be posting from the party it could change the whole vibe

Yes you’ll definitely want an activity! To add to my previous suggestion, it’s the cross stitch ones I think that work quite well for this age as a party activity. I’m not sure about any disco themed ideas beyond decorating ‘disco ball’ biscuits with edible decorations- maybe including the silver shaped ball ones. Someone else might have more ideas.

Breaking for food is a good idea, thanks :) it'll give a chance to "reset".

Oh ok, I see. Knowing these girls I really don't think it's a huge risk the party will get gatecrashed by their wider circle, but I guess you never know.

Thinking about it... as we're a sleepy small town, where most kids know each other, it'd be pretty hard for any teenagers here to gate crash a party with parents there and cause trouble, without their own parents getting a call, as they'd hardly be an anonymous mob!

I'm really getting into the photo both idea! DD has given it her seal of approval too.

If we can find a way to print them out at the venue, then putting them in a Polaroid style frame with stickers etc could be a nice activity.

Has anyone done a teen disco and it be a success? I'd love any tips!

what about a video booth 360? These are great fun

They look cool, but too late! I bought a portable mini photo printer last night and a cheap light ring, for a DIY photo booth 😁

I went to a do organised by a DJ for mainly girls, mainly that age. They did the old school favourites with a couple adults on the floor also showing them how. Think Macarena, it was BRILLIANT, they all loved it.

She wants her music and her friends there. She wants some food and mocktails. She doesn't want music she doesn't like. She wants a main room and agreed a "chill" area would be a good idea in case not everyone wants to dance. She wants cake 😁

Other than that she's not sure. I'm running the suggestions here past her and she liked the photo both / light ring idea (they all want to be YouTubers!)

Have you seen the outdoor inflatable nightclubs? You can hire them and they look pretty cool!

Look for Apps on your phone …. Polaroid style photos. Or …. Photobooth style photos.
Have the printer handy, so they can take some photos home.

The what?!! No, I haven't, sounds great!

Off to Google...

Yes, definitely bringing the printer there so they can print and take home.

For my 13 year old we did the same. They had a craft table where they decorated some sunglasses with sticky gems and stuff.
We then got photo booth stuff which they used to take photos of each other on their phones, so photo props and big frames.
Also a pamper station with cheap nail varnish (even the boys got it done for a laugh) they did each others nails.

Danced and sang away, we had snacks and drinks and they all absolutely loved it. Was a big success 🥰

I’ve hosted and been to teen discos.
have some current music, but also see if they know some classics … like the Macarena… you might be surprised!!

for food I’d do pizza - either cook your own or have a dominos delivery - just keep it really simple & then maybe some sweets.

id also perhaps do ice creams/lollies on sticks if there’s a freezer in the venue and you can take spares home.

you could do a Photo Booth, but they can be hard work to do well with props. I’d just consider a few backgrounds for people to do selfies or pose for pictures in front of. You can get big ones off amazon for about £15 & can get loads of them in it rather than just a few at a time

I’d buy drinks in bottles/cans, to minimise washing up etc.

think about a nightclub experience … you want drinks, music and greasy food at the end of the night! 😂 but at 12/13 it needs to be age appropriate!

im all for an activity … but they’re 13 not 6, id not go to the effort or look like the over keen Mom of a child rather than a teen.

less is more!

Maybe set up a corner with some props for a photo booth? Glow sticks or light up accessories, plenty of drinks and snacks!!
Also if the DJ can play some 'games' or set challenges to keep them interested because it is hard going to dance non-stop and they lose interest and sit down or wander to the bathroom in groups

I’ve organised a fair few! If you want a break and have the facility, hot food is always good. Think stuff that can be eaten with a fork, so curry, chilli etc.
Or if your budget will stretch, a mobile van that does pizza or fish and chips maybe.
Individual ice cream tubs are very popular.
Big jars of pick and mix style sweets with small bags and tongs look great and go down well.
Individual drinks save a lot of washing up and seem to cut down on spillages.

We did a kids disco for a club. We had inflatable stuff like microphones for the Photo Booth but also dancing.
Glitter tattoo station.
I’d definitely hire a DJ as they’ll have lights etc as well as hyping them up. A playlist can end up feeling a bit flat.
You could ask each child to message 2/3 song choices.
Pizza and a snack/sweet stand for food.

Make sure the room isn’t too big. If it’s large maybe you could make a chill space in the room with cushions and bean bags.

My 13 yr old son went to a party recently. It was in a social club with a DJ. They had pizza's delivered and provided fizzy drinks and sweet snacks