Your birthday is coming up, and it’s time to start planning how you want to celebrate, but coming up with a perfectly planned event or activities can be tough. It’s challenging planning a birthday party for anyone, let alone yourself. It was much easier as kids, wasn’t it? Well, don’t feel discouraged! We have plenty of birthday ideas that are sure to make your special day both tons of fun and extremely memorable.
We’re including suggestions for every type of person—the lone wolf, the adrenaline junkie, the indulgent one, and even those who need to remain socially distanced. Whether you love a huge bash or prefer something more low-key, your birthday wishes are bound to come true when you celebrate with any of these recommendations.
We didn’t get you a birthday card, but we hope this little gift will help you find just what you’re looking for. Come back to this post, year after year, to make every one of your birthdays literally one for the ages!
Give Yourself the Gift of Adventure
How would you like to explore your city, or any city of your choice, for your big day without having to do any planning or rely on friends or family to handle the details? Does that sound like a dream come true? Well, it’s not! ScavengerHunt.com by Let’s Roam to the rescue! We offer custom birthday adventures. You choose the location and let us know what you’d like and we’ll take care of planning the activities. It’s like an epic-themed birthday party for any age!
The expert party planners at ScavengerHunt.com will work with you, or a trusted friend or family member, so we can find out a little about you and your crew. We’ll design a scavenger hunt, art walk, pub crawl, or even a ghost tour. Custom trivia, social media-worthy photo ops, and fun facts are included. Each location will be like a little birthday surprise. Just have your guests show up with their party hats on and maybe some confetti and streamers to celebrate at the last stop. What are you waiting for?
Birthday Ideas for Small Groups
If you just want to celebrate with your closest companions, consider these options. Each unique experience will give you and yours some quality time, while you share stories and create new memories.
1. Book a Spa Day
Gather your girls or grab your significant other and head to the spa! Book an appointment and get yourself facials, manis, pedis, massages, or anything your heart desires. If a spa day isn’t in the budget, a DIY spa day can be just as fun. Get yourselves some printable recipes for face scrubs, conditioning treatments, and foot baths and mix ’em up. Throw some cucumber slices on your eyes and relax.
2. Have a Game Night
This one brings new meaning to the phrase “party games.” Phone your closest friends and ask each other about their favorite board game. Get together and play the one that gets the most votes. Make a night of it—have munchies on hand and blend up some drinks. You could even have party favors! Whether you win or lose, you’re sure to have a great night.
Or if a virtual party is more your style, throw a virtual game night for your next birthday! You and your friends will have a blast playing classic party games from the comfort of your socially distanced home!
3. Participate in a Pub Crawl
If you and yours love to get your drink on, why not head out on a pub crawl? Our friends at Let’s Roam offer ready-made bar hunts or can customize a pub crawl for you. Explore the best watering holes in your town or a city near you!
Birthday Ideas for Nature Lovers
Are you a tree hugger or do you just love the feeling of fresh air? Then these are the birthday ideas for you. They’ll have you celebrating under the sun or the stars!
4. Go Camping (or Glamping)
A birthday retreat could be just what the doctor ordered. Call your buddies, load up the car with camping supplies and pitch a tent under the stars. Spend your birthday night roasting marshmallows and singing the night away. Who needs cake and ice cream when you have s’mores?!
5. Take a Hike
Find a trail you’ve never explored, prepare some provisions, and head out. Pick yourself a bouquet of wildflowers, take some photos, and be one with nature. Enjoy yourself and cherish your alone time. Just be sure to keep safety in mind!
6. Star Gaze
Find a spot where you can safely lounge, out in the open, at night and get ready to gaze at the stars. Invite a few friends, pack some party supplies, and talk about the good times while you enjoy each other’s company. If you prefer to make this a solo mission, sit down with an astrologer during the day and find out about your true horoscope, then set out after dark and see how many constellations you can spot.
Birthday Ideas for Adventurers
Are you an adventure seeker or adrenaline junkie? Then the following birthday ideas are perfect for people who enjoy an experience.
7. Climb a Mountain
This one is great for a milestone birthday! Remember that mountain you’ve always wanted to conquer? Now’s the time. Make an effort to get up early, gather your hiking buddies, and get going. Try to time it so you reach the peak at sunset and don’t forget to capture it on camera.
8. Book that Dream Vacation
Why wait? Your big day is the perfect excuse to jet-set. Travel to a place that’s been on your bucket list. Whether it is the beaches of Florida, the mountains of West Virginia, or even The Himalayas, the world is your playground. You can spend your day in a foreign land doing everything you wish to do. Make it an annual tradition!
9. Go on a Scavenger Hunt
Have a bunch of adventurous friends who are up for anything? Enjoy a scavenger hunt on your birthday. Let us do the planning and you can show up for the fun. This is a perfect gift idea for a friend’s birthday, too! Hunts can be customized with themed party characters, and challenges. We even offer special hunts. For example, if your birthday is near Halloween (or even if it’s not), you can make it a ghost hunt. There are so many options!
Birthday Ideas for Those Who Like to Indulge
Don’t feel like celebrating with anyone this time? No problemo! We have birthday ideas for every kind of person and occasion. There are plenty of things to do even if you do not feel like hanging out with friends. Pamper yourself to a spa day or go out shoping. You can even treat yourself to an elaborate meal; the world is your oyster!
10. Buy a New Outfit
Nothing feels better than retail therapy at times, and what better day to indulge buy buying yourself a birthday gift (or two … or three). Don’t leave any stone unturned as you search for your perfect duds to celebrate your day. If you can splurge, don’t stop at one—treat yourself to a new wardrobe. New year, new threads, new you!
11. Do a Birthday Photoshoot
This can go hand-in-hand with #7 on our list. Feel like an absolute star this birthday—Get glammed up and feel like a celebrity. Put together a camera-ready wardrobe and hire a photographer to take stunning birthday photos! Post Insta-worthy pictures of yourself on social media and watch the birthday wishes roll in.
12. Enjoy a Fancy Meal
Your birthday is that one time of the year when you can indulge in anything. Go to a restaurant you’ve always wanted to try (or order in) and let yourself go, guilt-free! Make sure you indulge in all your favorite foods and don’t forget to treat yourself to some delicious drink(s).
Birthday Ideas for Those Who Prefer to Fly Solo
You don’t always have to plan a birthday party with others in mind. Make this occasion all about you. “The world is your oyster” as they say. In addition to some solo options elsewhere on our list, these two birthday ideas are sure to make your day special.
13. Go On a Road Trip
Pack your favorite treats, load up your favorite tunes, and spend the day driving. You can have an itinerary in mind or just go where the road takes you. Snap photos, take in the sights, and hit up some shops. Spend the day enjoying your own company.
14. Get a Psychic Reading
Everyone gets curious about their future. Head to a psychic or card reader and see what they have to share with you. You could even try a past life regression reading if that’s something that interests you. Your birthday is an ideal time to gaze into your past and see what the future holds.
Birthday Ideas for Fun Seekers
If you thrive on excitement and adrenaline rushes, this is the category for you. Get that blood pumping, satisfy your competitive spirit, or play some pool games. These birthday party ideas are sure to be a good time!
15. Go to an Amusement Park
Book tickets for an amusement park and have a day with your loved ones. Involve the kiddos, friends, and anyone brave enough to take on your favorite rides. Ride the scariest roller coaster, eat delicious food, and get competitive in the arcades. Feel like a kid again as you celebrate your big day!
16. Play Laser Tag
Bring out that competitive side to you as you bring the other team down in a fun game of laser tag. This game never fails to get that adrenaline rushing. Call your dream team and get ready to get messy! Smashing a piñata isn’t the only way to get out some aggression on your special day.
17. Throw a Pool Party
This idea works, whether you’re in a warm climate or have an indoor pool or water park nearby. Many hotels rent their pools to groups with reservations. Near the sea? Make it a beach party! Just pack your best suit, hit the water, and have a happy birthday blast!
Birthday Ideas for the Nostalgic
It doesn’t matter if you are having your 30th birthday or your 50th birthday—you can take a trip down memory lane anytime. Think back to simpler times and get ready to relive some. When you give these ideas a whirl, you’ll have a ball!
18. Catch a Drive-In Movie
There are still some drive-ins left in the world. If there’s not one near you, make a DIY drive-in! Set up a projector and a screen, even if you have to do it in your own yard or driveway. Pop some popcorn, grab some Goobers, and enjoy the show!
19. Host a Sleepover
Recreate your middle school days by inviting your best friends over, play truth or dare, do each other’s hair, watch movies, and stay up late gossiping. It will feel comforting to indulge in activities that you used to enjoy as a kid. Don’t forget the goodies! What’s a slumber party without pizza, cupcakes, ice cream, candy, and chips? Oh my!
20. Have a Skating Party
Get out those old roller skates or rent them at your nearest rink. Call ahead and make party reservations or just make it an informal, spur-of-the-moment dance party on wheels! Skating isn’t just for kiddos. You’re about to boogie to the beats, under the lights, and get retro. Some rinks will even provide a birthday cake, brought out to you by singing staff. How could that not make for an awesome party?!
Birthday Ideas for Cultural Aficionados
Are you the artistic type or do you like to expand your horizons? These birthday ideas are will appeal to your senses and may even get your creative juices flowing!
21. Appreciate Some Art
If you love art, get thee to a gallery! Your birthday is a great time to see some amazing art. If galleries aren’t your scene, how about a mural hunt? Take in some street art as you celebrate your day.
22. See a Show
If theaters are an option in your area, why not support them by getting tickets for you and your loved ones to see a play or a musical? Some universities also offer “theater on the green,” where you can see college performers in an outdoor setting. What a fun birthday that would be!
Birthday Ideas for Volunteers
Share some goodwill to celebrate your birthday. These ideas are great for a solo endeavor or you can involve friends and family. Whichever you choose, these are wonderful ways to spend a day!
23. Help Humans in Need
Spread some love to those less fortunate. Spend your birthday at a shelter or soup kitchen. You could even ask to pass out cupcakes for dessert! When pandemic restrictions don’t prohibit it, consider visiting a hospital or nursing home. The smiles on the faces of others will help make your birthday a happy one, for sure!
24. Visit an Animal Rescue or Sanctuary
There are animals all over the world in need of our time and care. Take a trip to a rescue or sanctuary in your area and play with the animals, donate supplies, and help with feeding or cleaning. The animals will appreciate it, but you might appreciate it even more. If you don’t know where to start, try this list of animal sanctuaries.
Birthday Idea for the Socially Distanced
A lot of people are still social distancing. That doesn’t mean your birthday plans have to go down the drain. Or maybe you just don’t have family or friends close by. Whatever the case, you can still celebrate!
25. Host a Virtual Party
Celebrating a birthday away from loved ones should be more than a quick Zoom or Skype call. Allow our friends at Let’s Roam to help you plan a virtual birthday party! Each celebration includes five rounds of fun and you get to choose your favorites. The options include over 50 trivia categories, drinking games, drawing challenges, virtual charades, and more! All you need is a guest list of people with Internet-ready devices and browsers. See how it works.
We hope that this list can be a helpful guide when you’re looking for things to do on your birthday. Share it with friends and help make their days special, too.
You are an extraordinary person who deserves to feel amazing on your special day, so don’t be afraid to step into the spotlight. Try fitting a couple of these ideas into a whole birthday week to make this your most unforgettable birthday ever!
May you feel birthday love from all over the world—we’re sending some your way. Happy birthday from ScavengerHunt.com and Let’s Roam!
Frequently Asked Questions
See this list of birthday ideas or plan a virtual birthday celebration. ScavengerHunt.com creates handcrafted experiences to suit a variety of needs. Check out the available options and have a happy birthday!
Have ScavengerHunt.com plan a birthday party scavenger hunt. Each attendee will receive a themed birthday role, like the Party Animal or Shutterbug. Of course, the guest of honor will be the Birthday Star!
Plan a special scavenger hunt with friends and family or set up a drive-in movie night at home for the two of you. This list of birthday ideas has options to suit just about anyone!