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Planning a birthday party for a 12-year-old can feel tricky. They’re not little kids anymore — but they’re not teens either — and finding activities that feel fun (not babyish) isn’t always easy.
Whether you’re hosting a party at home, planning something outdoors, or looking for ideas specifically for girls or boys, this list has you covered.
Below you’ll find 50 fun birthday party ideas for 12-year-olds, including games, activities, and low-stress options that tweens actually love.
💡Want more ideas? Explore our birthday idea guide by age and activity.
Quick Picks: 12-Year-Old Birthday Party Ideas
- Best at-home party: Movie Night & Popcorn
- Best trending idea: Hibachi Dinner
- Best for girls: Spa Day or Paint & Sip
- Best for boys: Nerf War or Flag Football
- Best outdoor party: Backyard Campout
- Best low-effort party: Game Night
- Best active party: Roller Skating
- Best small group: Boba Tea Party
Fun Birthday Party Ideas for 12-Year-Olds
1. Boba Tea Party
Set up a DIY boba bar with teas, milk options, and toppings so kids can mix and taste their own drinks together. Our roundup of 25 Boba Tea Party ideas is the perfect starting point for an unforgettable celebration.
Good for: at-home parties, small groups, trend-loving tweens
2. Fortnite Fort Night
Let kids build blanket forts before settling in for video games, snacks, and relaxed hangout time.
Good for: gamers, indoor parties, casual celebrations
3. Movie Night & Popcorn
Create a cozy setup with blankets, pillows, and a popcorn bar, then let the group vote on the movie.
Good for: at-home parties, low-key vibes, small groups
4. Paint & Sip
A guided painting activity paired with sparkling drinks or craft sodas feels creative and just grown-up enough. Check out our full guide to a Paint & Sip Birthday Party for Tweens.
Good for: creative kids, girls’ parties, indoor celebrations
5. Nerf War or Laser Tag
Host a backyard Nerf battle or book a laser tag venue for energetic, team-based fun.
Good for: active kids, larger groups, high-energy parties
6. Roller Skating
Celebrate at a roller rink and ask about playing the birthday kid’s music to make it extra special.
Good for: outgoing kids, off-site parties
7. Tie-Dye Party
Kids design their own shirts or hoodies, creating a built-in party favor they’ll actually wear.
Good for: creative parties, outdoor setups Here are some easy tie-dye patterns for kids!
8. Tween Party Games
Games like Truth or Dare and Would You Rather keep things social and fun.
Good for: icebreakers, mixed personalities, indoor parties
- Truth or Dare: Here’s a list of hilarious Truth or Dare Questions to get you started.
- Never Have I Ever can be a really fun game for kids this age. Here are 250 Never Have I Ever questions for kids to get you started.
- “Would You Rather” is a great way to spark discussion and laughter, and get to know each other better. It’s fun to pose questions that require the other person to choose between two great options, but sometimes it’s even more fun to make them choose between two terrible options.
- Two Truth & A Lie is a tried-and-true ice-breaker, but it’s surprisingly fun to play even with close friends and family.
9. Cupcake Wars
Decorate pre-baked cupcakes and judge them in fun categories like “most creative” or “best theme.”
Good for: food-focused parties, smaller groups
10. Game Night
Set up board and card games like Apples to Apples, Monopoly, or Scattergories for relaxed competition.
Good for: at-home parties, low-prep planning
11. Donut-Making Party
Kids decorate donuts with glazes and toppings for a hands-on activity that doubles as dessert. Here’s our full guide to a Donut Making Party for Kids.
Good for: creative kids, food lovers
12. Backyard Campout
Pitch tents, tell stories, and make s’mores for a simple but memorable birthday experience.
Good for: summer birthdays, outdoor-loving kids
13. Escape Room
An escape room gives tweens a challenge they can solve together within a time limit.
Good for: problem-solvers, small groups, off-site parties
14. Spa Day
Set up stations for face masks, nail painting, and relaxing music for a chill, pampering party. Here’s our full guide to throwing a Spa Birthday Party For Kids.
Good for: girls’ parties, relaxed celebrations
15. Karaoke Party
Let kids sing solo or in groups for laughs and confidence-boosting fun.
Good for: expressive kids, sleepovers
16. Mad Science Experiments
Simple experiments with cool reactions add excitement without requiring advanced prep.
Good for: curious kids, themed parties
17. Ninja Bootcamp Obstacle Course
Create a DIY obstacle course using cones, hoops, and household items for timed challenges.
Good for: active kids, outdoor parties
18. Glow Stick Dance Party
Turn down the lights, turn up the music, and dance with glow sticks for an instant party atmosphere.
Good for: energetic parties, evening celebrations
19. Slip ’n Slide Party
A classic summer favorite that still feels fun and carefree at this age.
Good for: warm-weather birthdays, outdoor parties
20. Ice Skating or Sledding
Celebrate winter birthdays with skating or sledding followed by hot cocoa.
Good for: cold-weather birthdays
21. Wicked-Themed Party
Celebrate the magic of Wicked with emerald and pink décor, themed snacks, and a movie or soundtrack sing-along. Here’s our full guide to a Wicked-themed birthday party.
Good for: musical theater fans, creative kids, indoor parties
Active & Sporty Birthday Party Ideas
22. Flag Football
A casual flag football game keeps sporty tweens moving without being too intense.
Good for: outdoor parties, athletic kids
23. Soccer Shootout
Set up a goal and challenge kids to score as many shots as possible in a set time.
Good for: soccer fans, outdoor play
24. Dodgeball
A fast-paced game using soft balls that works well for larger groups.
Good for: energetic parties, gym or backyard spaces
25. Capture the Flag
A classic team game that still feels fun and strategic at this age.
Good for: big groups, outdoor spaces
26. Cornhole Tournament
Turn cornhole into a friendly tournament with teams and brackets.
Good for: relaxed competition, mixed-age groups
27. Frisbee Toss
Practice aiming frisbees into buckets or baskets from different distances.
Good for: casual outdoor parties
28. Backyard Baseball
Use yard markers as bases and keep the game light and informal.
Good for: sports fans, outdoor birthdays
Creative & Chill Extras
29. Sidewalk Chalk Mural
Work together on a large chalk design or mural outside.
Good for: creative kids, outdoor parties
30. Giant Jenga
Take turns removing blocks and trying not to topple the tower.
Good for: mixed-age groups, backyard parties
31. Karaoke + Dance Combo
Pair karaoke with free dance time to keep the energy balanced.
Good for: expressive kids, sleepovers
32. Taylor Swift-Themed Party
From friendship bracelet stations to themed playlists and trivia, a Taylor Swift party is all about music, creativity, and fun. Here are our favorite Taylor Swift Birthday Party Ideas.
Good for: music lovers, girls’ parties, social celebrations
Seasonal & Special-Interest Ideas
33. Water Balloon Games
Tosses and relays turn a hot day into instant fun. Here are our favorite water balloon games for kids!
Good for: summer birthdays
34. Roller Rink Arcade Combo
Many rinks include arcade games, giving kids options to rotate activities.
Good for: off-site parties
35. Backyard Movie Night
An outdoor version of movie night with a projector and blankets.
Good for: summer evenings
36. Baking Party
Make cookies, brownies, donuts or pizzas together for a relaxed, hands-on celebration.
Good for: food lovers, smaller groups
37. DIY Photo Booth
Set up a backdrop and props for group photos and silly poses.
Good for: social kids, memory-making
38. Trivia Night
Create trivia questions around movies, music, or sports kids love.
Good for: competitive thinkers
39. Sports Watch Party
Watch a favorite team or big game with snacks and halftime games.
Good for: sports fans
40. Sleepover or “Undernight”
Kids hang out, play games, and watch movies, then get picked up before bedtime if preferred.
Good for: close friends, low-stress planning
More Birthday Party Ideas
- 50 Fun Activities for Your 11 Year Old’s Birthday Party
- Best Birthday Party Activities for a 13 Year Old
- Best Sleepover Activities for 11 Year Olds
- Kids Party Food Ideas That Are Budget-Friendly
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
