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Preteens

Parenting a preteen can be a minefield. Find support here.

Original poster

How did son/daughter celebrate their 12th birthday?

24 replies

Tigerblue · 09/07/2013 14:04

Just wondering how other 12 year olds celebrated their 12th birthday. We've done a sleepover the last couple of years, so I suggested cinema and McDonalds or a party here but my daughter isn't fussed about either. I've asked her what she'd like to do instead and she doesn't know.

OP posts:
Ragwort · 09/07/2013 14:06

Took my DS and his friends to one of those 'all you can eat Chinese buffets' - they seemed to enjoy that (we weren't allowed to eat with them Grin). Followed by the inevitable sleep over.

What about camping out in the garden if the weather is fine, plus a BBQ?

mirry2 · 09/07/2013 14:06

bowling party

BackforGood · 09/07/2013 14:23

ds had friends come and mess about in the garden (water slide, etc) then build a fire to toast marshmallows, camp in the garden overnight.

dd1 had a couple of friends for a sleepover.

dd2 (coming soon) has all sorts of exotic plans which seem to change every day and are probably not going to happen.

Dancergirl · 09/07/2013 23:55

Dd invited about 10 friends to Prezzo. They had a lovely time, booked a long table for them. I stayed and had lunch with dh and younger dds, we sat well away from them but could still keep an eye.

Picturesinthefirelight · 10/07/2013 00:08

My daughter is going to be away on a school trip on her 12th birthday. :(.

Eastpoint · 10/07/2013 00:16

A picnic in a local park followed by games & icecreams on the way home. Sandwich selection pre-ordered from m&s so I didn't have to spend the morning buttering slices of bread.

Original poster
Tigerblue · 10/07/2013 09:56

Thanks for your ideas. I will put them to her tonight. One thing we do have sorted is two girls she really wants to invite and one she doesn't, so that's a start.

OP posts:
LIZS · 10/07/2013 10:01

dd 's always falls in the Summer holiday and around the BH so most are away on a late holiday. Sometimes we go away that week but won't be this year and have same dilemma. As soon as school starts the next round of bday's begins.

kreecherlivesupstairs · 11/07/2013 02:31

I honestly can't remember. It was only two months ago as well...

glastocat · 11/07/2013 03:40

My son had friends over for home made pizza and a movie, but they spent more time running around the garden with silly string and playing table tennis.

sandyballs · 12/07/2013 08:53

My DDs chose two friends each for a trip to London for the day.

SovaMaminka · 12/07/2013 18:08

Went out for a meal and sleepover with 3 close friends.

Arcticwaffle · 12/07/2013 18:14

There's been a whole spate of swimming parties around here. dd2 is having one for her 12th soon. It's a bit tricky as they are mostly pretty self conscious about their bodies so they are quite iffy about swimming parties (mixed sex) but they manage to choose them while finding them stressful.
Also there are barbecues/sleepovers and cinema trips.

ThreeBeeOneGee · 12/07/2013 18:15

Joint celebration for DS1's 12th & DS2's 10th last year. We took them to Alton Towers for two days, stayed overnight in the hotel and took them to the indoor waterpark there.

Art · 29/07/2013 15:19

We went tubing at the dry ski slope. Quite easy to organise, fine for different age groups and you can take as many or as few children as you like. We didnt bother with party food, just gave everyone a drink and cookie at the end.

Dumpylump · 29/07/2013 15:30

Ds's birthday is in December, so no parties in the garden! For his 12th last year he and 7 of his friends, plus ds1 and dsds went to Pizza Express and made their own pizza then sat at a separate table from us to eat them.

The pizza, a soft drink, and pudding were included in the price. Dp and I had a nice relaxed meal and kept half an eye from a safe distance...might well do the same this year if that's what ds wants Smile

Weegiemum · 29/07/2013 15:32

My dd1 went bowling and got sharing platters to eat. Went down great.

lljkk · 29/07/2013 15:42

big party last yr so nothing more than a sleepover this yr (phew).

DS had combat games party for his 12th.

CiderwithBuda · 29/07/2013 15:45

DS's is next week. We will be away with all my family for my sister's wedding the night before. Just planning ordering pizza and having a cake with his cousins on the day and then we will invite a couple if his friends over for a sleep over or camp out in the garden in the next couple of weeks.

Liking some of the other ideas on here though too.

TeenAndTween · 01/08/2013 21:31

DD1 had lazer quest for 10 at local soft play. went really well.

Secretswitch · 01/08/2013 21:33

My daughter and her bestie went ice skating (winter baby) then on to lunch.

valiumredhead · 01/08/2013 21:56

Ds had a couple of mates over after school for tea and birthday cake. I'm sure wee did something else but I can't remember what...

Wearyandworndown · 07/08/2013 08:42

Somehow, my dd seems to have the ability to string out her birthday across quite a few weeks. As a special treat, me and her went on a Via Ferrata climb in the lakes (though i do like that sort of thing myself). She also had 5 girls over for a film, pizza and sleepover (erm, never again lol). GoApe does a high ropes course though it's a bit pricey

MrsPresley · 07/08/2013 08:48

My DD is 12 next month, we have booked her and 7 friends to go to an indoor crazy golf. They can play for 2 hours, have something to eat and there is face painting and hair glitter as well.

The only I have to do is turn up with them and take a cake Smile

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