Sweet Sixteen Party

Paintball and laser tag are lots of fun! If that's what she wants to do, I say go for it! Find out costs, and if you need to trim those, give her a limit of the amount of people she can invite OR offer her something less expensive if she wants to invite them all.

Call me crazy...but I think paintball would be a hoot! Memorable and fun...just the suggestions makes me think your daughter is pretty down to earth and fun. I say let her run with it, and be thankful as all get out that she didn't think she needed a hotel ballroom, tiaras, and a rock band. Let her do something fun and funky that she wouldn't normally do, and congratulate yourself on not raising a princess or a diva!

Paintball can be pretty painful... my brothers often come home with welts when they get hit at too close of a range. My fear would be that with that many young people it could turn bad... BUT Laser tag or using paint guns (not paintballs, but shoots streams of paint) could be really fun! Or paint-filled balloons (like a water balloon...), silly string, marshmallow gun... something that you don't have to worry about an angry parent calling you wondering why their daughter is all bruised up. You could order a bunch of pizzas (and salad...), cake and ice cream... sounds like a good time to me!

Well, my daughter is only four so I have lots of time but here is what I suggest.

I would do a party for all her friends (males and females if she wants). Just have food/snacks, music, room for dancing, and of course cake. Then for just her and few close friends, take them to get manicures and/or pedicures (sort of a spa day) either the day of or the day after the party. If she doesn't want family at her party, you can have something private on a different day for just family (and boyfriend of course).

If paintball is in your budget, and that's what she wants to do and all the parents are okay with it, why not? However, my husband has done paintball and never will again due to a friend's injury from the game. If they get to have their own group against themselves without any high-powered equipment, it won't be as bad. I hear the air-soft guns are not as painful. Personally, I'd try to talk her into laser tag instead.

I remember my "sweet 16". I was kind of disappointed because nothing was going on, and then I walked into a surprise party that my mom had teamed up with my best friend to throw for me! It was at Lou Malnati's, but it was only about 8 of us (not 20 - that would be pretty pricey). Partnering with you daughter's best friend or boyfriend to throw the party will make it much easier so you'll know who to invite, where to have it, etc.

If she wants active you cold try Lasertag, bowling, go karting, kareoke, etc. Or you could have a manicurist come to the house and giv ethe girls mani-pedis, order pizza, have them make their own Sundays, cake.

My daughter turns 16 in a few days.

She heard about the Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the BLock coming to town in June and she pleaded...no party just tickets to this concert. That was easy!!! I got 2 tickets, front row at the stage for her and a friend. NOT an easy task and yes, pricey. She is psyched!!

I expected her to want a full blown party like she's had before with the DJ, food, dancing, etc at the country club. These parties were a lot of fun...coed and supervised by off duty police officers.

We got off easy this time....... $600 tickets vs a $3000 party!! and she is thrilled. She'll also take her TX driver license test on her bday and get my car.

Her best friend just had a paintball party and they had a blast.

No, I don't have a princess or diva..... just a good kid who is acknowledged for being a good kid.