How to make birthday bbq special

[Muttisays]

Please be gentle - first post here.

DS turns 18 soon. He is generally quiet socially, doesn’t go out much or enjoy drinking alcohol. He doesn’t want to do anything with friends for his 18th. I offered him a family meal out, but he’d prefer a family bbq at home so that’s what we’re doing.

I’m seeking a bit of creativity on how to make this stand out and mark the occasion as not just “any other bbq”? Guests will be:
DS 18, DD 15, cousins 18, 21 and 23. My DPs and DSis/BIL.
None of us are wild party animals, we’re just a quiet-ish family. I’m more than happy catering the food and drink side and putting some music on but it just feels a bit flat.

Any suggestions for low-key games or other activities for this age group combination not centred around booze?

My own 18th was easy back in the day - very much related to pubs and friends. I acknowledge it’s partly for me that I’d like to mark this occasion (he is less bothered) but I do also want to help him feel a little bit special and enjoy the day and remember it in some way.

Any suggestions?

Do you like quizzes as a family? Could you do one themed around stuff that he likes/ his birthday year etc? May not work for you as I know some people hate quizzes!

Something I've done for other special events is to get everyone to bring a token gift which is linked to a story about the person whose party it is. They then have to guess who bought what and the story behind it.

It might be that your DS would hate these as too focused on him, if so ignore!

Thank you, I think the quiz is a lovely idea. We all did this together in lockdown and not really since, but I think it could work.