Birthday Event Ideas for an 18th?

Zelda on 07/05/2019 - 22:09

Hello,
I hope I'm posting in the correct topic/forum..

I have an 18th next month, and I want to invite 20 or so friends for my party.

I don't want to go drinking or clubbing, but I don't want to stay home either.

Do you guys have any ideas for group activities that a crowd of 18-25 year olds might enjoy? (That won't make me broke)

I suppose we could all just go to a restaurant if I can't think of anything.. But I'd much rather go out and do something fun.

Bowling seems boring, I don't really see the appeal.
Paintball sounds fun, but it hurts too much and I won't enjoy it after a couple hours.
Escape rooms I also love, but feel it's too isolated when we separate ourselves into groups.

I'd love to hear your suggestions ..!

Also, I'm adding a poll to get some extra opinions..
If I do pick out a group event, and it costs maybe $20+ per person, do you still think I, the host, should pay for everyone? Or are they supposed to pay for themselves considering the cost could possibly rack up to $400

Thanks so much!!

Poll Options

  • 7
    Guests should pay for themselves
  • 30
    The host should pay for the guests
General Discussion

Comments

  • fantombloo on 07/05/2019 - 22:23
    +4

    IMO an invitation to an organised personal event is different to an invite to a general event. The former is your responsibility and you should pay for; the latter is each person's own responsibility and they can pay for it themselves.

    Can't afford it? Hope your friends organise something for you. Or make an informal suggestion to go out rather then give them an ultimatum with an attached charge.

    • Zelda on 07/05/2019 - 22:29
      +3

      Hey, I really like your reasoning. Thanks so much!!

  • John Kimble on 07/05/2019 - 22:32

    https://simosity.com.au/

    Up to 8 people at a time only though…

    • Zelda on 08/05/2019 - 10:49

      Oh cool, I didn't know they made VR into a group outing thing!

  • MagicMushroom on 07/05/2019 - 22:54
    +1

    Not sure where you are but Strike bowling bayside has unlimited bowling, laser tag and pool for $15 per person on Monday.
    https://www.strikebowling.com.au/locations/strike-bayside

  • oscargamer on 07/05/2019 - 23:00
    +1

    Strippers…. obviously

    • Imhereforcomments on 07/05/2019 - 23:33
      +1

      Casino first then winnings on strippers…

      • try2bhelpful on 09/05/2019 - 16:56

        So no strippers then? Or maybe just the people who have lost their shirt :)

  • spackbace on 07/05/2019 - 23:25

    Laser tag
    Paintball (toughen up!)
    Go karts

    • Zelda on 08/05/2019 - 10:27

      Laser tag and go karts sounds super cool! Though I don't even have my L's… Rip

      • John Kimble on 08/05/2019 - 10:28
        +1

        You don't need a licence…there's 8 year olds that will lap you

        • Zelda on 08/05/2019 - 10:50

          Oooh I didn't know that, I'll look into it, seems fun

  • [Deactivated] on 07/05/2019 - 23:26
    +2

    escape room

  • sahh on 08/05/2019 - 01:22
    +1

    Holey moley, barefoot bowls?

    • try2bhelpful on 08/05/2019 - 06:27

      I enjoy this, particularly with a barbecue, but maybe not for 18 year olds.

  • try2bhelpful on 08/05/2019 - 06:46
    +1

    Maybe chat to a few of your mates and see if there is anything in particular they want to do, nothings falls flatter than a “fun” event nobody is enjoying. We used to go to “mock” formal parties where you had to find your outfit from an op shop. The big issue is, if you are serving alcohol, make sure people don’t drive. Maybe give people the option of overnighting and feed them breaking in the morning. Keep things under control make sure someone is handling security to avoid gate crashers don’t advertise on generally available social media.

  • slow on 08/05/2019 - 08:45

    I reckon it's OK to ask them to pay for themselves (or pay part of it) if
    1. You know them all pretty well, and you don't have a lot of money, and they know that
    2. You tell them not to buy a gift and pay for themselves instead
    3. It is not too expensive

  • AssamLaksa on 08/05/2019 - 09:26
    • Mini golf
    • Go karting
    • Bubble soccer
    • Ice skating/Roller skating
    • Zelda on 08/05/2019 - 10:52

      Nice ideas, thank you so much!

  • Seraphin7 on 08/05/2019 - 09:59

    I don't want to go drinking or clubbing

    How do your friends feel about this?

    • Zelda on 08/05/2019 - 10:22

      It's very separated. Half of them really dislike it and the other half love it.

      • John Kimble on 08/05/2019 - 10:29
        +1

        Designated drivers! Win-win

    • Illian on 08/05/2019 - 23:56
      -2

      Who cares? It's not their birthday, they can be generic losers on their own time.

      • Bobbacarpet on 09/05/2019 - 10:02
        +1

        Generic losers hey. Meeting new people, dancing and having fun. Sounds like a horrible time…

  • floppy on 08/05/2019 - 11:55

    air bnb a farm house or something a road trip away. make a weekend of it. you can most likely split the costs for the hire and drinks as your friends are also getting a weekend away. then depending on where you go there could be a number of options to do.

    or consider going on a camping trip, i did one of these for a friends 18th many years ago. was pretty cheap from memory. many things that can be done depending on the location again

    • try2bhelpful on 08/05/2019 - 22:35

      A lot of air bnb places don’t allow parties and powered camp sites are probably similar.

  • Illian on 09/05/2019 - 00:01
    +1

    I call bullshit on paying for everyone just because it's your birthday, so you lose out because it's your birthday, how does that make sense? You could even let them know it's ok to not bring a present considering the cost of the activity. If they can't afford it or make it, then that's that, it's not like it's the-big-20-entering-adulthood-special birthday, it's just 18.

    I second camping with a big bonfire or laser tag. Laser tag places usually have promotions, you should be able to spend a whole afternoon/night playing with food/beverages for not too much.

  • myusername on 09/05/2019 - 09:16

    coke and hookers

  • kindshibe on 09/05/2019 - 10:15

    You could tell your friends to bring a cash 'donation' for the party in lieu of a present

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