Ideas for 13 Years Old for a Birthday Party

From my experience, there's nothing more fun or memorable than a slumber party. We do karaoke, make-your-own sundaes, and wind down with a movie. It's a lot less expensive than going somewhere, but a lot more work and cleanup. It's important to keep it a secret because it's impossible to invite everyone, and I try to avoid "high maintenance" kids (high drama, needy or argumentative). We have pizza for dinner and donuts for breakfast, and the girls just need to bring their PJ's sleeping bags, pillows and toothbrushes. I always have a huge lost-and-found pile afterwards. The goody bag parting gift is a craft they make during the party. Usually we make picture frames, then I take a group photo and a photo of each of the guests with the birthday girl, and I print them that night at a one-our photo so they can take them home with them the next morning.

Hi N.,
I have been searching for a venue for my daughter's 13th b-day as well, Her b-day is Apr. 20. Luckily, I attended a B-day party at Child's Play in West LA this past Sat.with my 6 y/o son. While he was enjoying tumbling in the ball pit, I picked up an L.A. Parent Magazine which has a section that gives B-DAY Ideas and Venues. We found a place in Culver City called "Putting egde" which is an indoor mini golf and arcade attraction that is glow in the dark. My daugtheris really excited about this and is looking forward to having her B-day there. If your are interested thay have a website www.puttingedge.com.If you plan on having the party on a Sat.they get booked up pretty fast. Good Luck!

I once saw a book that was titled something along the lines of "back road things to do with kids on Los Angeles" or "Off the beaten path with kids in Los Angeles". I'd bet that if you went to the travel section at any of the bookstores (or on Amazon) and did a search for books about activities for kids in the area you could find it. Then, you could choose a place or activity that most closely fits her interests. I have the Lila guide, but its for babies and toddlers. If she likes animals, have it at the zoo, or, both the arboretum and the Huntington Library have beautiful lawns and gardens - perhaps something could be arranged with them if she just likes being outdoors and plants and stuff. There are plenty of places for a good picnic and a little soccer if she likes that kind of thing. Most kids her age are into movies, maybe you could go to a matinee as a group?

We live on the westside, For my daughter's 12 birthday we took some of her friends to Benihana (fun to watch the chefs), then to a local movie theater (we could walk from the restaurant to theater) and then home for a sleep over. Don't know your budget but this was a fun night. Other options: Lasertag (there is a cool place in Sherman Oaks on Ventura and you can rent a party room. We did this with another kid in her class and ha d a "joint party". ) Other kids have had "spa sleep overs" where they do each others nails, have facials, etc. The sleep over seems to be the big thing at this age. 13 years can be tough - good luck!

THere is a rollerskating rink in glendale. Moonlight rink. I believe

Laser tag at Ultra zone in Sherman Oaks. Not a girly affair - but my 11 old son loves it and some of our family friends have teenage daugthers and they love it as well.

Here are a few ideas: 1) Have a tea party (Guilded Rose, Granada Hills), or 2) Have a small party with a few friends and take them to a salon to have their nails done and depending on your budget you could hire a limo.

Ice Skating!!!! They love it!