How to Have a Spa-Themed Birthday Party for Tweens

Planning a birthday for a young child is relatively easy, because there are so many different themes that you can choose from. However, as kids--particularly girls--grow into their teens and their tastes change, it begins to become increasingly difficult to choose a theme that will suit their tween interests. Planning a spa-themed birthday party not only opens the door to girly pampering and fun, but it also begins a lesson in grooming and self-maintenance while making them feel grown up for a day.

Things You'll Need

• Notebook
• Cardstock paper (optional)
• Spa-themed stickers
• Spa embellishments
• Lawn chair or kitchen chair
• Salon capes
• Nail polish
• Face masks
• Face creams
• Party tableware
• Cellophane goody bags
• Small hair clips

Instructions

1. Plan the spa birthday party well in advance so that you have enough time to collect all the materials and supplies that you will need. This will also allow enough time to send out invitations and get back RSVPs. Put your plans down in writing in a notebook.

2. Send decorative and fun invitations to all the tween girls, based on the "Spa Party" theme You can purchase girly, beauty-themed invites at your local party shop or online. Alternatively, make your invites with the help of your tween. Use card stock paper, add stickers of make up, face masks and towels.

3. Gather or purchase a variety of spa essentials such as nail polishes, face masks, facial creams and make up items. Alternatively, research the web for homemade recipes for the tweens to mix up into beauty concoctions of their own. This not only saves on money, but enables you to control what will actually be put on the girls' skin.

4. Decorate a specific room in your home to imitate a beauty salon. Browse through teen and fashion magazines to come up with ideas about decorating for a spa. Comfy chairs, fluffy towels and mirrors are essential. Plants and foliage can be used to create a cozy atmosphere

5. Arrange a number of lawn chairs or kitchen chairs complete with a hair salon cape for the girls to wear. Place small end tables within easy range of the chairs, as a place to set all the nail polish, face creams and masks.

6. Make goodie bags by filling clear or decorative cellophane bags with spa masks, trial size lotions, small bottles of nail polish and hair clips. The bags can be decorated with stickers or simply left as is and tied closed with pink or colorful ribbons.

7. Offer light snacks such as finger sandwiches, yogurt and granola. These can be served in goblets, which are available at the party store. You may also arrange fruit and cheese on a tray, with a bowl of dip in the center.