17th Birthday Ideas: 25 Most Creative and Fun Ways to Celebrate the Special Day

17th birthday is a milestone that deserves a celebration unlike any other. Bookmark these fun 17th birthday ideas to throw one of the most fabulous parties ever!

Aastha Pahadia
Written by Aastha Pahadia , Certified Relationship Coach
Updated on Mar 15, 2023 | 06:33 PM IST | 932.2K
Discover the Most Creative and Fun Ways to Celebrate 17th Birthday
Discover the Most Creative and Fun Ways to Celebrate 17th Birthday

17 marks the transition from a teenager to a young adult. It honors the beginning of a new phase in life that is somewhere between adolescence and adulthood, and the special day deserves to be celebrated in style. From adventurous outdoor activities to exquisite dinners or parties with a twist, the possible birthday ideas for 17-year-olds are endless! However, with endless ideas, comes a daunting confusion to find that one perfect 17th birthday idea — because you may not want to throw a party that is too childish or too mature and end up ruining the mood. Be it wanting to have an intimate gathering with your closest friends or throwing a lavish yacht party for everyone you know, carefully choose the most fitting option to make this special day unforgettable.

So, without further ado, let us explore some exciting things to do for the 17th birthday that will make it an amazing experience!

25 Most Creative 17th Birthday Party Ideas to Celebrate the Occasion in Style

1. Visit an Amusement Park

Visit an Amusement Park

Visiting an amusement park with your friends and family is a great way to have fun at a 17th birthday party. You can either send all your friend invites to assemble at the decided amusement park or plan a surprise gathering for your friend's 17th birthday bash. Not only will it be a memorable birthday party but also a great way to spend some quality time with your friends and loved ones.

2. Throw a Pizza Party

Nobody loves pizza more than teenagers, and planning a pizza party for a 17th birthday is a great way to celebrate the occasion. You can either order loads of pizza or make the event even more interesting by asking the teens to make their own pizza. You can also arrange for a professional pizza chef to demonstrate how to make the perfect pizza at the party and turn it into a friendly competition! Do not forget to do a little cheating and let the birthday person win it!

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3. Dive in at a Pool Party

Dive in at a Pool Party

Summers are here and what better way to enjoy a 17th birthday bash than throwing a super fun pool party? From setting up a DJ and photo booth to funky inflatables and multiple snacks and soda drinks — you can make sure everyone is having a great time while beating the summer heat.

4. Enjoy a Live Concert

Now that you are almost an adult, why not enjoy your first ever live concert just with your friends? You can book your tickets, invite your friends, and get ready to rock your 17th birthday with your favorite band!

5. Have Fun at a Yacht Party

A fun and lavish 17th birthday party idea is to book a yacht or boat. You can invite your friends and family and also have a dance floor and DJ. Moreover, you can also choose a theme for your 17th birthday bash, and have a memorable gala time with your close ones.

6. Plan a Camping Trip with Friends

Plan a Camping Trip with Friends

If you love thrill and adventure, this 17th birthday is your ticket to go camping with your favorite people. From a national park to a lakeside — you can choose the place, plan it out with your friends, and kickstart your birthday on a  cheerful note!

7. Go Skinny Dipping 

Going skinny dipping or simply chilling at a nearby beach is yet another excellent 17th birthday party idea for both boys and girls. You can swim, play around, sunbathe, challenge each other over beach basketball, or have a mini picnic with your friends at the beach.

8. Enroll in Scavenger Hunt Games

Engaging in scavenger hunt games will take your 17th birthday bash to a whole new level! The hunt is a fun and exciting way to get everyone involved in the party and it is sure to be a hit with all your friends. Moreover, you do not have to spend much money to host an epic scavenger-hunting party. Contrastingly, you can also buy tickets to a local scavenger hunt game that your friends can enjoy as a group day-out activity and come home to devour a feisty birthday feast!

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9. Relax at a Spa

This 17th birthday idea is specifically for the girl gang. You can book yourself and your group a relaxing spa at your nearby salon. From relaxing facials and manicures and pedicures to fancy nail art and gossip — your entire crew can have the best time ever!

10. Visit a Go-Kart Arena

Visit a Go-Kart Arena

For those teens who seek adventure, go-karting is another 17th birthday idea to have the best day with your friends. You can have a go-karting party with your friends in the afternoon, enjoy a hearty dinner at a restaurant in the evening, and have a sleepover at your place to end this memorable birthday party.

11. Plan a Night Out

If you are a fan of celebrating birthdays the moment the clock strikes midnight, why not plan a night out with your buddies? After dinner, you can invite your friends to join you either at your house or your favorite hang-out spot. From there, you can book a car or two-wheelers, decide on a destination, and get started. The only crucial thing to remember is to be vigilant and alert while driving at night — and no drinking — and you will surely have one of the most memorable nights and birthdays of your life!

12. Throw a Theme Party at Home

Take the customary route and have a themed party with all your friends and family. From a funny zombie theme to a funky superhero theme — you can decide on anything you like for your 17th birthday bash, have adequate decorations, party games, giveaways, the best food, and drinks, and have a blast!

13. Watch a Movie at a Drive-in Theatre

Now that you are practically an adult, why not go to a nearby drive-through and enjoy a movie night with your friends, or maybe just you and your crush? Not only do you get to see a movie, but also get to enjoy the company and end your birthday on a sweet note.

14. Karaoke Night at Home

Karaoke Night at Home

Not everybody likes to spend a fortune on their birthdays or go out clubbing. So, if you want to celebrate a birthday party at home with your family and only close friends, plan a karaoke night! It's super fun and super cheap. Plus, all of you will have a blast singing your favorite songs, talking, laughing, and eating snacks together!

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15. DIY Hot Dog Party

Who does not love the deliciousness of devouring a hot dog? So, for the 17th birthday party, plan a DIY hot dog party in your backyard. Create mini stalls, invite your friends, and engage everyone in a friendly hot-dog-making competition. Also, add some surprises and giveaways to make the birthday more memorable and fun!

16. Try an Adventure Sport

This one is again for all the teens who absolutely love the thrill of adventure. For this 17th birthday, opt for a non-traditional birthday bash by trying an adventure sport. Take your teen team to a rock climbing gym or get some adrenaline rush pumping with kayaking or indoor skydiving. For an even more thrilling adventure, you can also go for a scuba diving trip with your friends and have an utmost exciting birthday.

17. Challenge Your Friends at 8-ball

Challenge Your Friends at 8-ball

Another great 17th birthday party idea is to book an 8-ball pool table. If you are hosting the party, you can invite your friends to compete in a tournament and keep a giveaway for the winner. If you are planning to surprise a friend, you can make a special request at the reception to add some decorations and a cake addressed to the birthday boy or girl. Either way, loads and loads of fun is guaranteed!

18. Enjoy a Backyard Barbeque

Hosting a barbeque party in your backyard is another great way to celebrate the 17th birthday bash at home with your family and friends. Invite them over to your home and have them enjoy the lovely weather of the backyard and the delicious barbeque food that you have cooked. You can also play some fun games to keep everyone engaged and create some amazing memories to cherish later on!

19. Plan a Road Trip

Plan a Road Trip

Now that you (or someone you know) are 17, it is time to take that much-awaited road trip with your friends — full Hollywood style! You can plan the route you want to take, pack some snacks, create an awesome playlist, and enjoy the ride. Do not forget to click loads of pics of the scenic beauty and moments spent with your friends. Also, share your selfies with your family to make them feel included on this special day!

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20. Rent a Local Arcade Arena

Another super fun to celebrate the 17th birthday is to book a gaming area and surprise the birthday boy or girl. You can even ask the manager to put up some lights and decorations with different colors of balloons. Invite all your friends, bring a birthday cake, and let the enjoyment begin.

21. Recreate "Minute-to-win-it" Games

Minute-to-win-it games are fun, interactive, challenging, engaging, and super popular games among teens and adults alike. So, for this 17th birthday bash, create a list of some of the funniest and craziest minute-to-win-it games, and then have everyone compete to see who can get through the list the fastest. Make sure to include a mix of easy and challenging games on the list and let the laughter roll throughout the day!

22. Throw a Reverse Role Dress Party

One of the best ways to celebrate a milestone birthday like turning 17 is to get a party guest list, party food, and a themed dress. To make things extra exciting, use a reverse role dress theme for the party. So, all the males attending the bash have to dress up as females and all the females have to dress up as males. Not only will the atmosphere be full of laughs, but everyone will also have a unique and memorable experience. Also, you can go a little extra and prepare a giveaway gift for the guest who shows up in the best outfit and accessories!

23. Conquer a Night Trek

Another 17th birthday idea to add an adrenaline rush and start your special day by staring at a lovely sunrise is by planning a night trek. You can do this with friends or by yourself. Carry the essentials in a bag pack, enjoy the trek, sleep in the tents, and wake up to a beautiful sunrise on your birthday morning! It will be a lifetime memory to cherish and you will have the rest of the day to relish with your family and friends.

24. Get Tickets for a Paintball Party

Get Tickets for a Paintball Party

For your 17th birthday celebration, why not get down and dirty with your friends or family? Paintball is a lot of fun and is a great way to get out of your comfort zone while enjoying the thrill and challenge of beating the other team. Book tickets for a paintball game and go head-to-head against the other team. You can also host a paintball party at your home if you are up for cleaning the mess later on!

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25. Plan a Sleepover Party

From playing video games and watching scary movies or a marathon of everyone's favorite movies to bringing out the board games — a slumber party at your home with your close friends sounds like a perfect choice to spend the eve of a 17th birthday. All of you can indulge in junk food, good company, loads of laughter, chit-chat, and of course, waiting for the clock to strike 12 to shout "Happy Birthday!" Also, do not forget to store the cake and ice cream in the freezer!

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Conclusion

Turning 17 is a significant milestone in any teenager's life that deserves a celebration to remember forever. When looking for some unique and creative ways to make someone's 17th birthday a truly special day, you must keep in mind their friend circle, time (day or evening), and of course, a balance between frivolity and adulthood. From throwing a house party or planning a surprise fun day out with friends, take your pick from the plethora of above options to have one of the most amazing parties and enter adulthood with a bang!

ALSO READ: 30 Hand-picked Happy Birthday Poems for Friends to Make Them Feel Special

FAQ's

What is the 17th birthday called?
17th birthday is considered a milestone birthday that celebrates the teens entering adulthood and is therefore known as sweet 17!

What should I do for my 17th birthday in winter?
There are a lot of options to celebrate your 17th birthday in winter. For example, you can attend a glow-in-the-dark party, host a bake-off at home, go ice skating with your friends, host a winter movie marathon at home, challenge your friends at a gingerbread-making competition, attend a snowflake ball, or indulge in an exciting game of laser tag.

What do 17-year-old boys do for their birthday?
For their birthday, 17-year-old boys can plan an adventure sport like kayaking, trekking, or camping with their friends. They can also host a barbeque and karaoke party at home and invite their friends. Moreover, they can plan camping in their backyard or a campsite and have fun. Additionally, they can have an all-boys night out to enjoy.

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About The Author
Aastha Pahadia
Aastha Pahadia
Certified Relationship Coach

Aastha is a certified Relationship coach and she strives to help those who seek expert advice on relationships.

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