Anonymous
Post 02/02/2016 08:21     Subject: B-day party ideas for boy turning 14 years old?
We just went through this with my now 14-y-o. We did the Operation Spy mission at the Spy Museum and it worked out great! Lots of fun, engaging, interesting for adults too and yet low-key and not kiddie bday party-ish. Then we went to a neighborhood restaurant that we all love. I ordered some large quantities of less-expensive foods and the kids all pigged out on that. It was early for dinner so it was more like a heavy pre-dinner. Great time was had by all. DS definitely wanted to do something but wouldn't have been able to figure that out.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2016 23:17     Subject: Re:B-day party ideas for boy turning 14 years old?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If he can't come up with something on his own then he doesn't get a party. He is capable


I'm not the OP but I think both you and the earlier PP who said the kid would be a "social loser" if he has a party are both wrong. This kid isn't old enough to drive himself much less anyone else to anywhere at all, and he doesn't control the family finances -- so how's he supposed to know what his parents are willing to pay for, or what's a reasonable distance from home, and so on? Of course he should be giving ideas and should be part of the planning process, but all this nonsense about denying him any party if he's not the one who arranges it, or his becoming a social pariah if he has one --that's just blather from parents who would rather not be bothered with thinking about giving their kids a party at all. OP does want to do it, and importantly, has said that the SON says he wants a party as well.

OP, have him go online with you to check out some options mentioned above, and also offer the idea of an at-home movie and pizza get-together. At his age they often only want a couple of friends involved, and anything at, say, a laser tag or other place could be just kids going as a group rather than a "party package" deal like kids do when they're younger.


So he has to know his parents finances and be able to drive to have ideas?

BS!


He doesn't need to know his parents finances or be able to drive to know what clothes he likes or what games or whatever he wanted for Christmas. He's turning 14 not 2 or 5.


Having BTDT with teens 9 time out of 10 ( with the 10th being that one unique child) when that kid that age doesn't share an idea it's because he doesn't want mommy or daddy involved not because they really can't think of anything. He doesn't want a " baby party" with mom/daddy, all their friends, aunties , uncles etc hanging around.

He wants to hang out with his friends. OP should give a budget and let the kid hang out with his friends.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2016 21:37     Subject: Re:B-day party ideas for boy turning 14 years old?
My son (turning 12) has a bowling party every year and he and his friends have a great time. But maybe he'll want something different in a few years, hard to tell. Bowlmor has party packages - food, bowling, video games included.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2016 21:22     Subject: Re:B-day party ideas for boy turning 14 years old?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Dinner at Medieval Times


No way.


PP here, my son who is turning 14 in May, said Medieval Times was stupid.

Hotel Party
Paintball
Laser Tag
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2016 21:19     Subject: Re:B-day party ideas for boy turning 14 years old?
Anonymous wrote:Dinner at Medieval Times


No way.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2016 14:03     Subject: Re:B-day party ideas for boy turning 14 years old?
super bowl party with friends.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2016 13:50     Subject: Re:B-day party ideas for boy turning 14 years old?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If he can't come up with something on his own then he doesn't get a party. He is capable


I'm not the OP but I think both you and the earlier PP who said the kid would be a "social loser" if he has a party are both wrong. This kid isn't old enough to drive himself much less anyone else to anywhere at all, and he doesn't control the family finances -- so how's he supposed to know what his parents are willing to pay for, or what's a reasonable distance from home, and so on? Of course he should be giving ideas and should be part of the planning process, but all this nonsense about denying him any party if he's not the one who arranges it, or his becoming a social pariah if he has one --that's just blather from parents who would rather not be bothered with thinking about giving their kids a party at all. OP does want to do it, and importantly, has said that the SON says he wants a party as well.



I completely agree. People ask for birthday ideas for their adult spouses all the time. Why is asking about ideas for a teen any different.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2016 12:25     Subject: B-day party ideas for boy turning 14 years old?
dinner and a movie

Shadowlands!
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2016 10:58     Subject: Re:B-day party ideas for boy turning 14 years old?
Indoor ice skating at Kettler Iceplex at Ballston.
Movie and pizza with a few friends.
Take a few friends to a professional sports game, a play, concert, or other event depending on his interests.
Love the idea of one of those puzzle solving rooms.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2016 10:57     Subject: B-day party ideas for boy turning 14 years old?
My 13 year old son's friends only do movie out/pizza or other similar restaurant afterwards these days. It's a bit of a logistical challenge as you can't always nail down exactly what movie will be playing or the times far enough in advance, but we generally get a "save the date/time range" email with a follow-up with the specifics when the movie times are available.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2016 10:42     Subject: Re:B-day party ideas for boy turning 14 years old?
Anonymous wrote:If he can't come up with something on his own then he doesn't get a party. He is capable


I'm not the OP but I think both you and the earlier PP who said the kid would be a "social loser" if he has a party are both wrong. This kid isn't old enough to drive himself much less anyone else to anywhere at all, and he doesn't control the family finances -- so how's he supposed to know what his parents are willing to pay for, or what's a reasonable distance from home, and so on? Of course he should be giving ideas and should be part of the planning process, but all this nonsense about denying him any party if he's not the one who arranges it, or his becoming a social pariah if he has one --that's just blather from parents who would rather not be bothered with thinking about giving their kids a party at all. OP does want to do it, and importantly, has said that the SON says he wants a party as well.

OP, have him go online with you to check out some options mentioned above, and also offer the idea of an at-home movie and pizza get-together. At his age they often only want a couple of friends involved, and anything at, say, a laser tag or other place could be just kids going as a group rather than a "party package" deal like kids do when they're younger.
Anonymous
Post 01/28/2016 18:12     Subject: Re:B-day party ideas for boy turning 14 years old?
Dinner at Medieval Times