Themes for a 13th Birthday Party

• Ditch the typical birthday ideas for original party themes. Kathryn Bell/Photodisc/Getty Images

  A young pre-teen's life changes when she turns 13. As he becomes a teenager, you want to commemorate the milestone in his life by throwing a celebration he can remember for years to come. Make the party all the more special by centering all your party preparations on a specific theme perfect for a 13-year-old's sensibilities.

The Cursed 13th

• People often think of the number 13 as being cursed. If you have a son or daughter who loves spooky stories and scary movies, try this party theme. Decorate the party space with black and green party streamers, balloons and banners. Draw the number 13 on the balloons with a permanent marker once you blow them up. Really commit to the theme by placing some old Halloween decorations around the space to add more creepiness to the event.

  Tell all your party guests to come dressed as something scary. Make scary appetizers like pigs-in-a-blanket fingers and black cat-shaped cookies. For the birthday cake, carve out two sheet cakes so that one cake looks like the number one and the other looks like the number three. For activities, tell scary stories, try out the Ouija board and play games like "Ghost in the Graveyard".

Weird Hat Party

• If the 13-year-old likes a bit of silliness, plan on this theme. When you invite guests, tell them to come wearing the strangest hats they can locate. Decorate the party area with hats placed about the room, and add photos of people wearing weird hats to the walls.

  Though the party theme may seem simple, you can think of several variations to it. For example, carve the birthday cake to look like a large hat. Play games involving hats, such as flinging hats through a hoop or playing the game, Limbo while wearing their large hats. Throw a contest to decide which guest is wearing the weirdest, most unique hat. Take pictures of the party guests to commemorate the 13th birthday.

Backward Party

• For your wackier birthday teens, host a backward party, when everyone comes dressed wearing their clothes backward. They turn their hats around, wear their shirts with the tag at the front and even put their shoes on backward. Turn all of your furniture, when possible, backward as well. For example, turn your TV to the wall, turn the furniture to face in the opposite direction and flip around the pictures on the walls so you see the backs of them. On the birthday banner, write "YADHTRIB YPPAH." Celebrate backward, as well. Start the party by first eating the cake, then unwrapping the presents and finish with blowing out some candles.

  Play backward-themed relay games where players have to race against each other while running backward. If you really want to commit to the theme, have everyone walk and talk backward for the entire party.