Tweens are at a fun age where they want excitement and adventure but still need some supervision and structure. Planning a party that keeps active kids aged 10-12 engaged without chaos can be a challenge. Use these tips to throw an awesome party tweens will love.

Choose Fun Activities  

The key to a successful tween party is having lots of interactive games and activities that get them moving. Plan events that allow them to run around and burn energy. Some ideas include:

• Scavenger hunts

• Dance competitions  

• Backyard Olympics with relay races and games like tug of war

• Obstacle courses

• Treasure hunts

• Capture the flag

• Dodgeball

• Twister

Have a good mix of team building activities and competitive games so everyone gets a chance to participate. Make sure to have some quiet activities planned as well for kids who need a break. 

Offer Engaging Entertainment

Along with games, have additional entertainment at your party to hold tweens' attention. Hire performers like magicians, comedians, or dancers to dazzle them with cool tricks and routines. You can also plan a karaoke session and have tweens show off their singing skills. Another fun idea is to set up stations for crafts, nail art, face painting, or hair braiding so they can express their creativity.

Choose the Perfect Venue

Deciding where to host the party is crucial. While backyard parties have their charm, they also require setup and cleanup that can add stress. For a hassle-free alternative, consider a venue that handles everything for you. An indoor inflatable or trampoline park offers a fun and safe environment where tweens can burn off energy while you avoid the post-party cleanup. For instance, a trampoline park in Rapid City, SD, provides not just a great space for physical activities but also offers party food and amenities, making it an excellent choice for stress-free planning. This way, you can enjoy the celebration as much as your guests without worrying about the aftermath.

Provide Tasty Treats

Fuel up all that activity with snacks and sweets that appeal to the tween appetite. Try healthier options like fruit skewers or smoothies along with pizza, sandwiches, chips, and popcorn. Cupcakes, brownies, and custom sugar cookies make fun party favors they can take home. You can also set up a sundae bar with lots of sweet toppings or a make-your-own-taco station.

Pick an Exciting Theme

Picking a fun party theme will get tweens even more pumped up and engaged. Do a beach bash with surfboard cupcakes, limbo contests, and beach ball activities. A glow in the dark party with neon decor, blacklights, and glow sticks and necklaces will be a huge hit. Other cool themes include carnivals, music festivals and talent shows.

Send Inspiring Invitations

Get some anticipation going by sending creative invitations. For example, they could be designed like concert tickets or VIP passes. Deliver them via text or email with a fun graphic or video clip. Having a planning committee help come up with activities and create invitations will also get tweens invested early. 

Decorate to Match the Theme

Don't forget about decorations and ambiance to fully bring your party theme alive. Use props and decor to transform the space into something exciting. Make a tropical paradise with inflatable palm trees, flower leis and beach towels for a luau. Use streamers, confetti and disco balls to give a club vibe. Decorate tables with colorful plasticware and linens. The right decorations will take the party to the next level.

Keeping tweens active, entertained, well-fed and included will ensure your party is a rockin’ success. With a little creativity and planning, you can throw an unforgettable bash your tweens will be raving about for weeks.