Wondering where to hold a teen’s birthday party that you and your child can agree on? We’ve gathered a list of unique venues and options you may not have thought of, without the mess and fuss of an at-home party. The most important thing is that teenagers have a great, safe time with close friends at a place you’ll also love to work with.
Start by asking your teen what they would like. Review the list of birthday ideas together below and let them choose their favorite. They should love any of the teen-approved ideas below.
1. Rent a Pontoon Boat and Tube at Scorpion Bay
Scorpion Bay has nautical adventures that will not disappoint. Choose from daily rentals of pontoon boats, sport boats, kayaks, and water toys. Grab your birthday teen and head out to Lake Pleasant. Just don’t forget the SPF.
Details: Full-day and half-day boat rentals are available. The boat is fully fueled, just replace what you use at the end for your rental. Reservations must be made prior to the visit, preferably a week in advance. rentals@scorpionbayaz.com or 928 501 2628.
Paqua Park at Scorpion Bay is a 7,000-square-foot inflatable, on-water obstacle course at Lake Pleasant in Peoria, Arizona that provides hours of fun. Sessions are 45 minutes long and are available on the weekends.
Details: Life vests must be worn at all times. For more information or to book an adventure visit: https://paquapark.com/ Call (928) 714-7477 or email info@paquapark.com
This party comes to you! GameTruck’s unique mobile video gaming theaters and arenas make your party as stress-free as it is spectacular. Choices include Video Games, Laser Tag, and Bubble Soccer. GameTruck events feature state-of-the-art entertainment, plenty of equipment for all your gamers, tons of games to play, and a trained staff to run the event. A GameTruck party is an experience your guests will never forget.
Details: Call 866.253.3191 or request a quote at https://www.gametruckparty.com/lead?activity=Video%20Game.
4. Try the Flow-rider in Mesa, Rhodes Pool
Catch the wave and ride the FlowRider® at Rhodes Aquatic Complex. Both kids and adults can have fun on this simulated wave. They offer lessons, leagues, private rentals, and open ride times with or without the “Flow Fence” up to separate the wave. All riders must watch a safety video and have a completed liability waiver or waiver membership to ride.
Specifics: Riders must be 48” tall to ride the standup board and 42” tall for the boogie board.
Details: Fees vary based on activity. Rhodes Aquatic Complex and FlowRider, 1860 S Longmore, Mesa, AZ, 480-644-2550.
A spin around a cool roller rink always provides great times for kids, teens and even adults. Skateland has a state-of–the-art sound system, live DJ’s, a cafe and a huge arcade with awesome prizes. Birthday packages can be upgraded to a Glow in the Dark Party. Laser glow necklaces, swords and other glow in the dark items are included if you choose the Glow in the Dark Party.
Details: Located at 1101 W. Ray Rd., Chandler. Private Birthday Parties are held during hours that are not scheduled with Public Sessions. Check out their calendar to see when the Public Sessions are held. See website for details.
Teen party packages feature nightclub-style lanes, comfy lounge seats, and HD video walls. Experience live sports, music videos and immersive gaming with friends. Teens will enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.
Details: Multiple locations available in the Phoenix area. Reserve a spot here: https://www.bowlero.com/parties.
Enjoy two full uninterrupted hours with 160+ machines ready to be played ($250 + $100 for every additional hour). Invite as many friends or family members as you can, there will be plenty of room for all. They provide table(s) for any amount of food or drink you plan on bringing for your guests to enjoy. The mission at Starfighters Arcade is to promote, preserve, and project the vintage arcade gaming experience into the future for new generations to discover and enjoy.
Details: Located at 4840 E. Jasmine St. in Mesa, AZ. Cost is $250 + $100 for every additional hour. Call 602-513-9532 or email starfightersarcade@gmail.com.
8. Hurricane Harbor Phoenix Waterpark
Choose Hurricane Harbor Phoenix for your next teen event. They will love the pulse-pounding water slides, relaxing lazy rivers, Mammoth Falls, dining and shops. Group ticket packages to match every event size and activity. Planning is easy with online purchasing.
Details: Located at 4243 W. Pinnacle Peak Road, Glendale, AZ. Phone number is 623-201-2000.
9. Octane Raceway in Scottsdale or Phoenix’s K1 Speed:
What’s better than electric indoor go-kart racing? An unforgettable experience that delivers thrills to satisfy even the most ardent of racing enthusiasts. Teens will enjoy each other’s company, challenge each other on the track, relax with a meal, and experience the adrenaline-inducing thrills of indoor kart racing. Octane Raceway was the 2022 Best of Phoenix winner in Best Go-Karts. Octane also has axe-throwing activities.
Details: K1 Phoenix location, hours and contact information: https://www.k1speed.com/phoenix-location.html. Octane Raceway details: https://www.octaneraceway.com/contact/#directions
10. Rug-making or Painting Parties in Tempe
Tutugether is a passionate crafting store offering quality materials and expert guidance, fostering creativity and artistic expression for all skill levels. They bring Arizona’s art community together by offering rug-making or painting parties in Tempe. They also offer Pouring Art, in which you pour acrylic paint over figures or canvases, letting the colors flow and blend into unique and abstract patterns.
Details: Location: 740 S Mill Ave, Suite 120, Tempe. Each tufting customer will receive a class and practice session to ensure they are well-prepared before starting. Once finished tufting, they apply backing and trim your rugs beautifully for you to take home. Minimum age of 13 years old to do tufting. The Pouring Art experience is also a popular project: https://tutugetheraz.com/our-projects/.
11. Bam Kazam
Bam Kazam is an arcade where the games are real. Between physical challenges where the floor is lava, mental challenges like escape rooms, and everything in between, you’ll want to try again and again. Purchase one ticket for two hours.
Details: Located near Top Golf, Octane Race Way, and Mavericks at 8999 Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale. Text 480-378-3640 or contact them here: https://bamkazam.com/contact/. $34 per person.
Begin planning your teen’s once-in-a-lifetime party now!
About Scorpion Bay
Located just 45 minutes from downtown Phoenix in Peoria, Arizona on Lake Pleasant, Scorpion Bay offers convenience and world-class marina services for the entire family. With hundreds of covered and uncovered wet slips, world-class food at Scorpion Bay Grill – as well as boat rentals including pontoons, fishing boats, ski-boats, kayaks, floating cabins and private charter boats – you’re sure to find a full day of entertainment on the water. As part of Lake Pleasant Regional Park, visitors can venture out for hiking, picnicking and wildlife viewing in the area. Parking is easily accessible, and our no cost electric tram will take guests and their gear from the parking lot to the dock in minutes. Scorpion Bay is managed by Desert Troon Companies https://desert-troon.com/
Scorpion Bay is Arizona’s premier floating playground, offering everything from daily pontoon and ski boat rentals to slips for harboring your yacht (or dinghy). Come for the fishing or come for the frolicking—either way, incredible mountain views, fantastic dining and world-class marina services await less than an hour out of Phoenix. https://www.scorpionbayaz.com/
Scorpion Bay is Arizona’s premier floating playground, offering everything from daily pontoon and ski boat rentals to slips for harboring your yacht (or dinghy). Come for the fishing or come for the frolicking—either way, incredible mountain views, fantastic dining and world-class marina services await less than an hour out of Phoenix. https://www.scorpionbayaz.com/