Unique 20th Birthday Ideas
Dinner in the City Treat yourself and your good friends to a delicious dinner in the city when you turn 20. You may already live in a city, or decide to take a short trip to your nearest metropolis. Decide on whether you want to try the hottest new restaurant or one that specializes in a cuisine you love most.
Dance Class Grab your pals and take them to a one-off dance class or workshop together. Would you prefer to spend some hours learning salsa, ballet, or hip-hop moves? Break a sweat while moving your bodies and gaining some serious skills before you enjoy a big birthday meal followed by some well–deserved cake.
Karaoke Not many things to do for your 20th birthday are as fun as singing karaoke with your pals. You can rent out a private room at a karaoke bar or use a karaoke machine in the comfort of your home to belt out your favorite tunes. For something extra, try to choose songs that are all in the same genre or decade to get a theme going that can extend to costumes or decoration.
Concert When your 20th birthday coincides with a big concert or festival, you’re in luck. The birthday party can head to a local concert or plan an extra special weekend at a music festival that may include travel together. If your 20th birthday concert plans involve a music festival, be sure to stay organized about the details so everyone is taken care of and has an awesome time.
Puppy Party You’re never too old for a puppy birthday party, especially when turning 20. Leave the stress of oncoming adulthood behind to spend an afternoon playing with the cutest puppies around. As long as you use a reputable company that takes care of the animals and gets any logistics (like poop bags) under control, your puppy party can be the talk of the town.
Creative 20th Birthday Ideas
Art Class Tune into your creative side by arranging an art class as a 20th birthday party activity. You and your friends can learn to paint, draw, or master the art of pottery making. It’s a fun way to bond with your buddies and make your own party memento so you’ll always remember what a great time you had.
Photo Shoot Celebrate the milestone of turning 20 by arranging a fantastic photo shoot with those you love most. You can hire a photographer, take photos of each other, or rent a photo booth for the occasion. The best part is gathering entertaining photo booth props and accessories so the photos are memorable for years to come.
Museum Make a trip to a local cultural institution the site for the coolest birthday party ever. You can spend the day there with friends learning about art, history, or science; it’s also possible to rent a space from the museum for a more formal, upscale event. Choose one that reflects the birthday guy or gal’s favorite things (ancient Egypt, modern art, French sculpture) for a party they won’t forget.
Graffiti Workshop Channel your inner-city artist by attending a graffiti workshop (or having one in your backyard). Many organizations offer professional workshops that teach the basics of graffiti art and can offer a one-stop shop birthday party. If you arrange one at home, you can stretch out heavy-duty cellophane wrap to paint on, along with some drop cloths to keep the mess contained. Write your touching birthday message to a best friend in graffiti form for a keepsake they’ll love.
Hollywood Fashion Show Bring on the glam for a 20th birthday party by hosting a Hollywood-style fashion show. Lay out the red carpet, turn up the lights, and have everyone wear their most spectacular outfits. Photos are optional, but it’s easy to orchestrate a memorable 20th birthday celebration when you’re all dressed up and ready to go.
20th Birthday Ideas for Foodies
Cooking Class Discover more about what goes into creating your favorite cuisine by taking a group cooking or baking class. Learn the art of making pasta or dive into the chocolate-making process if you’ve got a sweet tooth. Friends are sure to have a great time in the kitchen together while gaining some handy culinary skills. Attendees can even take home whatever they make as an edible party favor from this 20th birthday bash.
Cake Decorating What’s the best part about most birthday parties? It’s usually the cake—why not cut straight to the chase and have a cake-decorating 20th birthday party? See who’s the best at decorating small cakes or cupcakes with colorful sprinkles and decorative toppings everyone will want to try.
Charcuterie Board Party Hosting a charcuterie board birthday is one of the most inventive ways to say happy 20th birthday to foodie types. Gather a bunch of wooden boards plus all the ingredients or ask guests to bring their own charcuterie board supplies for a potluck-style party like no other. Get as creative as possible, with sweet and savory charcuterie boards that taste as good as they look.
Chili Cook-Off 20th birthday party ideas in winter are made for having a chili cook-off. Get everyone warm and cozy indoors, and ask them to bring their best chili recipe. Try as many different types of chili as possible and decide whose is the best. Everyone wins when it comes to delicious birthday food that’s made with love by those closest to you.
Food Truck Crawl Think about how delicious your favorite food truck is. Now, imagine those who attend a 20th birthday party being able to enjoy their favorites, along with everyone else’s. Going on a food truck crawl is a fun way to sample new cuisines and learn about others you never thought to try. Find the place where the food trucks park and let the sampling commence!
Outdoor 20th Birthday Ideas
Picnic Having a 20th birthday picnic is one of the easiest (and least expensive) ways to spend a birthday party outdoors. It’s free to enjoy a meal, drinks, or dessert on the grass in the park with those you love. You can provide a folding table and chairs, or pillows for bohemian-style comfort for your guests.
Backyard Bash Another cheap way to wish a friend a happy 20th birthday is with a food and fun-filled backyard bash. You can choose a theme like a cruise ship and serve appetizers or host an Old West party with enough barbecue for everyone. Even just gathering friends and loved ones for hamburgers and lawn games is a wonderful way to spend a 20th birthday outdoors.
Outdoor Movie Night One of the coolest ways to spend a 20th birthday is by screening a movie outdoors. If you’ve got the space, a projection screen, and lots of movie theater snacks, you’re set. Invite everyone to bring lawn chairs or pillows and blankets to sit on for an optimal viewing experience. You can even invite the local ice cream man to park near your place so guests can get a sweet treat whenever they want to.
Bonfire Pick the perfect night to gather beneath the stars and make a big bonfire to warm everyone with. As long as the environment is entertaining (with music, games, songs, or scary stories), a bonfire party is all you need. With hot dogs, s’mores, and toffee apples, your guests won’t want to leave until the fire goes out.
Yacht Cruise Take your buddies on the open water for a birthday celebration you won’t forget. Rent a yacht (or a speedboat if that’s more your thing) and bring some food, drink, and tunes with you. Some boat rentals include a tour, while others allow you to spend the time however you and your guests like.
At-Home 20th Birthday Ideas
Games Night Bring the casino home with you when you host an exciting night of games in honor of a 20th birthday. Decide whether you want the games to include classic board games or resemble the kind that you’d find in a Las Vegas casino. Whether blackjack and poker or Clue and Monopoly, your guests can spend hours locked into whatever games they love best.
Talent Show Turn your home into a comedy club or music venue by hosting a 20th-birthday talent show. Invite friends to show everyone what they do best, whether reading a poem, acting a part, or singing a song. Depending on the number of guests, you can allocate a specific amount of time to each contestant, from 1 minute to 10 minutes or more.
Bottomless Brunch Celebrate a birthday brunch like no other with all your favorite things. Head to a local cafe or brunch spot for a bottomless brunch everyone will appreciate. Or, create a potluck brunch at home where guests bring their favorite brunch items, from French toast to mimosas or egg sandwiches.
Binge Watching Turn a normal night of binge-watching into a 20th birthday bash everyone can get into. Choose a TV or streaming series you want to binge, find a comfy space at home, and get some extra pillows or seats. Be sure to provide enough food and drink to last through every season of the show.
Potluck Party A potluck birthday party is high on fun and low on cost. It’s an inventive way for friends to bring their favorite foods to the table, so everyone can have a taste. You can choose a food-related theme for your potluck to make it more interesting, like Tex-Mex or Southern barbecue.
20th Birthday Ideas For Him
Gaming Party Video game lovers don’t have to give up their favorite activity when turning 20. Just throw a video gaming party so everyone can get in on the action. Set up as many gaming console stations as you’ve got room for and ask people to bring their favorite video games. You can even host a gaming competition to find out who reigns supreme in the world of adult gaming.
Scavenger Hunt Take your pals on a scavenger hunt that lets you discover new places (along with skills you didn’t know you had). The scavenger hunt can be at a specific location (like a mall or someone’s backyard) or all over your local city or town (as long as you’ve got the time to plant it out). Create specific themes so each team gets to show up in their costumes while they look for hidden treasure.
Escape Room Challenge guests to the ultimate test of wits and teamwork by hosting an escape room birthday party. It’s possible to reserve an official escape room or create one whenever you happen to be. Friends must figure out a set of clues and use keys to discover how to escape the room they’re in and be victorious.
Pizza Making The only thing better than enjoying pizza for your 20th birthday is being able to design your own from scratch. It’s not as complicated as it sounds to buy a bunch of pre-made pizza dough and arrange for guests to create their own DIY pizza using whatever ingredients you provide for them. Have a taste test to see who the real king of pizza is.
Paintball Paintball is one of the most challenging ways to have a good time in honor of a guy celebrating his 20th birthday. Head to a local paintball range to strap on your gear and shoot up your friends with bright, colorful splatters of paint. You can also get a bunch of paintball kits and hold the game in your backyard if you prefer.
20th Birthday Ideas For Her
Shopping Spree Ladies turning 20 will love going on a city-wide shopping spree with their closest pals. Decide where you plan on going and treat the shopping experience like you would a pub crawl. This means you’d head from one store to another together, trying on clothes and putting together different looks. Focus your spree on a specific type of clothing, like shoes or vintage second-hand shopping for a minimalist birthday.
Wine Tasting You can experience a 20th birthday wine tasting in a wide range of ways. If your party has a real budget and a sense of adventure, take the gals out to wine country (or locally) for an official wine tasting. If you’d rather keep things simple at home, grab some wine-friendly glasses, create a menu of small bites or foods that pair perfectly with that Merlot or Chardonnay, and get ready to learn.
Painting You don’t have to head to a painting class to enjoy the fine art of the brush stroke. Ladies will love a small setup that includes individual easels, a set of paints, and something interesting to work with, from a human model to a bowl of fruit. Soon, you’ll have them painting up a storm in no time using all the colors and textures they can get onto the canvas.
Crafting If you’re not getting crafty by the time you turn 20, perhaps you need to throw a crafting birthday bash to get started. Include lots of fun, yet accessible crafting projects to choose from, like leaf imprint dishes and flower petal bath salts to paper flowers and candle making.
Pajama Party Who says you have to be a little kid to enjoy a gals’ sleepover? A pajama party is even better when you’re an adult because you get to plan everything exactly as you like. Play Truth or Dare, binge-watch your favorite shows, or spend the evening doing makeovers. Wake up the next morning to a pile of pancakes or a breakfast bar everyone will love.
Adventurous 20th Birthday Ideas
Hot Air Balloon Ride For those who dare, climb aboard a hot air balloon for a ride you won’t forget. Make sure your birthday guest list isn’t too large, so everyone can safely fit onto a hot air balloon to keep each other company. Follow up your adventure by sending guests a group photo keepsake to remember the day fondly.
Surfing If you’re lucky enough to find yourself near the ocean waves on your 20th birthday, take advantage by throwing a surf party. This may mean you and your friends take a beginner’s surfing lesson together or just go surfing at a nearby beach. See who can hang 10 the best and offer them a shiny winner’s trophy for their amazing feats in the waves.
Skydiving The boldest among you will choose to go skydiving to celebrate a birthday like no other. Have someone close to the birthday guy or gal make the arrangements so everyone can head up in the plan and safely reach the ground. If it’s possible to get a video of your high-flying birthday exploits, even better.
Skating No matter the season, you and your closest friends can skate your heart out to commemorate a 20th birthday. If you prefer roller skating, head to a local rink to rent out a room for the party and roller skate to your favorite tunes. If you prefer to embrace the winter season, go ice skating outdoors, and don’t forget the hot cocoa. You can also enjoy indoor ice skating in the summertime or go to an outdoor roller derby for some fast-paced fun.
Camping Nature lovers can ring in a 20th birthday by taking their closest loved ones camping. You can spend the night or a weekend hiking, fishing, and getting closer to nature. If you require more to your camping trip, you can make it a glamping extravaganza.
Relaxing 20th Birthday Ideas
Spa Party If you can’t head to the spa together for a day of beauty, find serenity at home by hosting a spa party with your besties. Include mani-pedis, wraps, and DIY face masks made from common household items like cucumbers or oatmeal. An extra-fun move is to give the attendees their own robe or set of spa slippers so they can kick back and enjoy a day of pampering.
Tea Party Enjoy a delicious afternoon of teatime treats while relaxing with endless pots of tea. A tea party at home is a simple way to recreate your favorite tea setting. Set out finger sandwiches, cookies, and petit-fours everyone will love. Idle away the day like a Victorian lady or gentleman who has absolutely no “to-do” list on their mind.
Bookstore Crawl There are pub crawls and food truck crawls, but none are as serene as a bookstore crawl. Head to your favorite bookstores one-by-one, while stopping to browse or purchase the latest titles or listen to a local author speak. Enjoy the quietude of the bookstore as you decide which bookstore to linger in longer because of a cafe full of delicious birthday-ready treats.
Wellness Retreat A spa day is one thing, but sometimes you need something a little more potent when you want to spend your 20th birthday relaxing. Heading for a wellness retreat is a surefire way to unplug from daily life with friends. Choose one nearby or a world away if it’s in your budget. You can meditate, do yoga, eat plentiful healthy food, and take walks in nature to show that being 20 is what you make of it.
Pool Party Having a pool party is a classic birthday option because it’s easy to prepare for and makes everyone who attends happy. Get some extra pool accessories, like rafts and blow-up toys so everyone can lounge in style. You can also pair a pool party with any other theme, like an ice cream bar or a Mexican fiesta.
20th Birthday Party Themes
Golden Birthday Your birthday is quite special if you’re able to call it a golden one. Celebrating a golden birthday means you’re turning the same age as your birthday date. If you’re turning 20 on the 20th of a month, you’ve got every excuse to plan a golden birthday-themed bash. Luckily, it’s easy to decorate for a golden birthday: choose golden party decorations of any kind, including the golden number (20) of your party theme.
Murder Mystery Party Show everyone how intelligent you and your friends are by planning a murder mystery party. It’s a terrific excuse to purchase a murder mystery kit and set up your home to look like an elegant murder scene. Guests can dress up and form teams to discover whodunit, just in time to enjoy a slice of birthday cake.
Spooky Birthday Party Your 20th birthday doesn’t have to be on Halloween to enjoy a scary good time birthday bash. Decorate the space to look as spooky as possible and have guests arrive in Halloween costumes. You can watch horror movies or play games before you bring out a cake with a frighteningly good cake topper that implies, “Turning 20 is scary, but fun.”
Roaring 20s Say hello to your 20s with a raucous and roaring 20s-themed birthday party. You can focus the affair in any way you like, from a Great Gatsby party to a Prohibition soiree. From party decorations to costumes and music, it’s easy to create a 1920s theme that’s the perfect way to welcome the birthday guy or gal’s 20s decade.
Hawaiian Luau Go tropical by throwing a Hawaiian-style luau in your backyard. Hand out leis and grass skirts so everyone feels like they’re on a beach in Kauai. Plan a game of limbo, enjoy fruity drinks, and roasted pork on a spit, and don’t forget the tiki torches to create a warm sense of ambiance.
20th Birthday FAQs
How can I celebrate my daughter's 20th birthday? It’s possible to celebrate her 20th birthday with a variety of party ideas and themes. From dinner with family to a game night with friends, she’ll feel special as long as she’s into the activity and/or the theme. Arranging for her to attend a concert she loves, take a unique class, or enjoy a personalized experience are all ways she can have a memorable 20th birthday.
What is special about your 20th birthday? Turning 20 represents the first year of adulthood when you’re no longer a teenager. You’ve reached 2 decades old and are likely closer to experiencing life as an adult than you’ve ever done. From having your own place to (almost) graduating college, 20 means you’re (basically) an adult and ready to go wherever life takes you.
How do I plan my 20th birthday party? To plan a birthday party, decide on a date and time (which may or may not be on the actual birthday) and a party idea or theme that friends will appreciate. Form a guest list, choose a venue if needed, and send out invitations with plenty of time to RSVP. Cover your food, drink, and decorations, especially if they link to a particular theme, and flesh out all the little details, from costumes (if applicable) to party favors, activities, and birthday cake.
What can I call my 20th birthday? You can include a cute way to refer to your upcoming 20th birthday for invitations or just have something memorable to use as a 20th birthday caption for Instagram. Fun things to call your 20th birthday include “Milestone 2.0,” “The Big 2-0,” or “halfway to 40.” Other unique choices range from “Adulting on the way” and “Teenager no more” to “Early 20-something.”
What are some memorable gift ideas for someone turning 20? Depending on the birthday guy or gal’s taste, some popular gift options for those turning 20 include personalized keepsakes like video albums or photo-based jewelry. Techies will love noise-canceling headphones or a VR headset. Homebodies will appreciate personalized items for their abodes like a name throw pillow or a fun neon sign.
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