Turning 18 is often a very exciting event for a young man or woman. At this age, teens are finishing up high school, able to vote in elections, and considered by many to be adults! Celebrate this milestone occasion with a birthday celebration and online birthday invitations that you can send by email or text for free.

Here are some great 18th birthday party ideas to consider in your party planning process:

What could be better than an unexpected gathering of your favorite people to celebrate YOU?!? A surprise party is a sweet way to let the birthday teen know how much they're loved. To start, ask your son or daughter’s best friend to help make the guest list to make sure that you don’t forget to invite anyone. Make it very clear on the online suprise party invitations that the party must be kept a secret and let everyone know where to park and what time they should arrive to surprise the birthday honoree! 

This 18th birthday party idea is the perfect way to enjoy nice weather with friends and watch a movie together. All that you need to do is hang up a large projector screen in your backyard. If you don’t have one, you can usually rent a blow up screen for about $200 that can be used with standard projectors. Invite friends over with an Outdoor Movie Night invitation, Popcorn movie invitation, or Dive In Movie invitation. On the big day, make some delicious snacks and enjoy a couple of your favorite films. Don't forget the popcorn and candy!

A fun 18th birthday party idea is to rent a limo to take the birthday girl or boy and their friends out for a glamorous night out on the town. After all, 18 is usually the age that teenagers can legally enter dance clubs, comedy clubs, etc. A limousine can usually be rented for a few hours for under $500 depending on the limo company. Make plans ahead of time with the driver about sights around the city to drive by, what restaurant to go to, and anywhere else you want the limo to take the guests. Customize this zebra print invitation for a girl's birthday night out or this birthday dinner invitation for a lovely meal out with friends.

A casino or poker themed 18th birthday party is a great way to celebrate your birthday. If all of your other guests are 18, you could head to your local casino to play bingo. Another option is to host a casino themed party at your house that people of all ages could attend. Send casino party invitations to guests then decorate the tables of your party with poker chips, dice, and playing cards. Red and black are an ideal color scheme to use in your decorations as well.

This is a great 18th birthday idea for a party or a gift. Search for tickets to your son or daughter’s favorite sports team or band. If tickets aren’t too expensive, pick up some tickets for a few of your child’s closest friends to make it a memorable occasion. Send music-themed invitations for concerts and sports-themed invitations for games and once you get everyone's RSVPs, purchase tickets for an unforgettable 18th birthday celebration!

For late spring and summer birthdays (maybe even into fall), consider a beach party. Most 18-year-olds love the beach and the idea of a beach-themed party will make them feel like they've matured from the kids parties of the past. First, find out if your local beach requires a permit for a party on the beach. Next, send fun beach birthday invitations to guests and plan for a late afternoon party that ends in a cool bonfire toasting marshmallows.  

 

Remember when you were a kid and a bouncy house was the greatest part of a birthday party? Well, it still has that “wow” factor for eighteen year olds as well! Rather than the typical bounce house, however, rent an obstacle course, inflatable slide, or other inflatable that is more age-appropriate. This is a great way for guests to revert back to their childhoods when they didn’t have to worry about midterms, SATs, and college applications. Play upbeat music in the background to get the guests bouncing around and having a blast. Browse bounce party invitations to get started with your planning!