Organising a teen party requires a lot of preparation, especially if it’s your first! Between finding and decorating the room, sending invitations, managing food and drinks, and preparing entertainment, a number of elements need to be taken into account. Whether you are a parent, a group leader, or a member of an association or a high school, this article is for you!
To help you organise a successful and festive party, here are some easy-to-implement tips and tricks.
Summary
1. What is a teen party?
Popularised in the 1960s, a teen party is generally presented as a dance party or a discotheque evening specially organised for teenagers aged 12 to 18. Teen parties are often organised during special events such as birthdays, end-of-year parties, graduations, etc. It is a friendly moment that brings together many friends for an evening. Depending on the age of their children, parents can of course participate and supervise them to ensure the evening goes smoothly.
2. Planning
One of the first essential steps to successfully organising a party is to define and plan the elements. This includes choosing a date and a specific time that is appropriate for the children and parents, but also choosing a venue. Organising a party is relatively flexible and can be done in a function room, a home, a high school or a garden for example. Be sure to check the local rules and regulations regarding events and noise pollution if you choose to organise your party in a public place.
3. Theme and decoration
Start by choosing a central theme for the latter (Disney characters, colours, Star Wars, princesses, the jungle, etc.), this will add a unique and original atmosphere to the party. Let your imagination run wild and obviously choose the theme according to the profile of the teens (age, interests, etc.). To go further, also make sure to adapt the decoration according to the chosen theme, using accessories, garlands, balloons and light shows to create an immersive atmosphere.
4. Making invitations for your party
Once these elements are defined, it is time to prepare your invitations for your party. Send invitations (paper or digital) in advance so that children (and parents if applicable) have enough time to organise themselves. Encourage hand-deliveries to parents at the end of school for example, or send them by email or phone.
Do not forget to include all the important information such as the date, time, location, theme and end time. Ask guests to confirm their presence in your invitation in order to better estimate the number of participants for this you can use an online registration solution.
5. Music and playlist
Who says party says music and dancing! Create a playlist adapted to the party’s atmosphere and the musical tastes of the teens and their guests. Opt for a variety of musical genres to satisfy everyone. Make sure you have a good sound system and provide quality speakers for an optimal sound experience. Likewise, if it is organised in a public place, make sure to take into account the regulations in force in terms of maximum sound, time, etc.
6. Food and drinks
You should also think about the food and drinks that you will offer during the party. Plan an assortment of snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, and sweet and savoury options for children. If you decide to serve alcohol, make sure to do so responsibly and verify the ages of the attendees. Also, consider having vegetarian or gluten-free options for those with dietary restrictions. One of the best options is to have a banquet where everyone can help themselves while enjoying the party.
7. Activities and entertainment
To make your party even more lively, plan a number of additional activities that will please everyone. For example, plan activities such as karaoke, board games, dance competitions, musical quizzes or role-playing games. Make sure you have enough space to dance and move. You can also organise a surprise show prepared in advance or call on professionals (magicians, dancers, etc.).
8. Lighting
As in any party, lighting and brightness are crucial to create a unique atmosphere adapted to each moment of the evening, each music, etc. To do this, use light shows, strobes, coloured projectors or smoke machines to best energise your evening. Of course, if your party is organised for children, the importance of lighting and effects will be less.
9. Safety and surveillance
Regardless of the age of the participants, safety is paramount when organising a party. Make sure you have a safety plan in place, and be sure to have parents, teachers, or any other adults present to supervise the participants, especially the youngest ones.
Check the safety measures related to the facilities, make sure you have a first aid kit available, and find out about emergency evacuation procedures. If your party is in a public place, there are a number of rules already established and should be taken into account before organising any event.
Want to organise a teen party? Weezevent’s solutions are perfect for simplifying your event management: an online registration and ticketing platform to easily sell tickets, an access control system to ensure smooth and secure entry, and marketing tools to help you promote your party to the public.
