Wanted 15 Year Old Boys Birthday Party Ideas

I'd simply invite his friends and classmates over and have refreshments for them. They won't want any theme or decorations. That is juvenile.

You could do just his best friends too and do something like get him that video games he's really been wanting. Something they can all take part in.

I'd keep it as simple and non kid like as possible. Maybe even just a pizza party with no other activities. They'll just sit around and talk but still get to eat. That's what teen boys like most.

I agree with the others--keep it simple. I think he will like that you thought to do something special for him. Does it have to be a surprise? I like asking them what they want. I have a 16-year-old boy and his last two "parties" have been hanging out in our basement with a few friends, movies, video games, pizza, popcorn and cake. You can make homemade cupcakes for just a few dollars. Frozen pizzas if delivery exceeds your budget. Last time he had a friend bring an extra monitor so they were able to multi-task. I think some watched ESPN or a game while others played video games on the extra monitor. To my son's dismay, I refuse to show R-rated movies to kids that are not my own so I always make sure they are PG-13 and even then check out the content first because PG-13 movies vary so much. My son and his friends are very trustworthy and not into alcohol or anything like that, but just to be on the safe side I remove all wine, beer, etc. from the fridge they have the most access to and stock lots of water. I don't want to tempt them or cause someone to issue a "dare." I prefer pitchers of lemonade to soda, cheaper and not as much waste. Boys just like hanging out and they like snacks.

H.:

Welcome to mamapedia!

I was thinking about a paint ball party until you said single mom with disability. Paint Ball parties are usually around $500.

A pool party - do you have friend who has an indoor pool? What about the YMCA?

Bowling....a lot of the high schoolers around here are loving bowling...

If he skates - is there a skate park near you?

If not - then invite a few friends over for pizza and a movie...if you can do a matinee on the weekend - then offer to take him and several friends to a movie.

Good luck!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your son!!

Well, first decide if you want it at home or not. Then go from there. Honestly, my SS had several parties where he and his buddies hooked up a couple of TVs and game systems (that they already had between them) and played video games. They loved it and all we had to do was throw food at them. I would try to talk to a couple of his close friends and see if that's possible, and if they'd keep him out of the house til it was set up, or they'd set it up at their house (with parental permission, of course) and invite him over. Boys don't even want decorations, usually.

Or, I like the pizza and a movie idea.

If it's going to be a surprise, then you have to invite his friends. So ask THEM what they think he would like and get them to help you plan it. Keep it SMALL and make sure you stay out of the room when they are partying, but of course ensuring that there are no uninvited guests (kids can spread the word and create a problem you don't want!) and no alcohol. Usually just movies and pizza or popcorn are good, or kids can bring their own video games (supervise those choices if you need to). Then let them hook up the electronics which they are all experts at anyway. Kids this age don't want stuff like party favors or games or decorations, and that's what kicks up the expense anyway.

Bowling can be very inexpensive, depending upon what types of deals you can find. A few months ago I got a Groupon for 2 hrs of bowling, shoe rental, pizza & soda for 8 people for $60.

Or...

Do you have a $1 or $2 theatre in your area? That's what we used to do in high school - cheap movie, then back to the friend's house for pizza and video games or board games. Little Caesar's has their "Hot & Ready" pizzas for $5.

The most important thing to kids at this age (usually) is their friends.
I would try to coordinate with them, and just have them over for dinner and a sleepover. Food and cake is pretty cheap, and maybe you can rent some movies or video games too. Boys don't really care about decorations or favors or any of that stuff so you should be able to pull it off pretty cheap.

Bowling, go-carting, mini-golf and laser tag all cost about $10 per person where I live. For a home party I can get 4XL pizzas for $30, soft drinks, make cupcakes and let them rent movies or play video games and sleep over.

I have a 13 yr old son and a 16 yr old daughter and I cannot imagine that my son would 1) want a formal birthday party or 2) would want a surprise anything.

The options I would suggest is tell him to gather his friends at your house, video games, (good idea from Mum4ever about borrowing a few) and get pizza and lots of junk food in.

The only issue at this age is that guys may want girls included and video games often don't interest the girls so you'd have to have something for them to do in the meantime.

Play off your son's interests.

This is a tough age - my kids' birthdays are in the Summer so I always get off easy with a pool or beach party.

Pool party at a hotel or rec center
Pizza and movie with a few friends

Bowling is easy and a great party for just about any age.

Do you have friends and family nearby? Can you borrow their Xbox's and other video games and hold a Video Extravaganza at your home, complete with home made pizza and frozen lemonade?

I did this one year and the boys were all beyond excited to play video games with their friends, uninterrupted by adults, for hours on end.

Check out Groupon for deals in your area. Also Amazon Local has great deals too (it's just like Groupon, and free to sign up). I've seen great deals on Laser Tag, indoor rock climbing, paintball.... Does he like sports? Maybe a place like the Y for him and his friends to take over a basketball court for a couple hours then have pizza. It depends on what kind of kid he is too. Like other posters said, most teens just want to hang with their friends. Some grocery stores and Walmart have really big take and bake pizzas that are cheaper than a delivery place. Also places like Costco or Sam's Club would be a good place to get pizza, chips, soda.
Good luck!