16th Birthday 60's Retro Party

by Sharon W.
(Newberry, SC)

When my daughter turned 16, we decided to have a retro party. I had rented a large community hall which gave the kids plenty of room to dance and play games. Decorations were very simple. I bought bright colored plastic tablecloths, handkerchiefs that were tie-dyed, and balloons.

On each table I placed a handkerchief in the middle of the table with balloons in the center. I also bought t-shirts for each guest and tie-dyed each shirt ahead of time so they would be ready for them to change into when they arrived.

Since most of the guests were legal driving age I came up with a game for them to play. I created a photo scavenger hunt. On each table I bought disposable cameras. Before the party I created a list of things that they must find and take a picture of.

You can be very creative when you create the list. I had them take a picture of a man sitting on a bench, a water fountain, each of them sliding down a playground slide, Ronald McDonald, an employee of Wal-mart, etc. This list could be as creative as you chose to make it.

On my list I had 20 items and gave each team 30 minutes to complete the list. Rules were set up to encourage safe driving. I was amazed at how each group interpreted the items on the list.

Once the cameras were developed it gave my daughter a wonderful collection of pictures that will always be remembered. Her friends commented that it was the most fun they had ever had.


After the photo scavenger hunt, the rest of the party was at the rented hall. I had lots of games lined up and to my amazement, at one point they decided to play duck-duck-goose. Who knew they would be into that!?!!

After a meal of hot dogs and hamburgers, the teens did dance to disco music, as well as their music. To me it was a 16th birthday party that was very special and one my daughter will never forget. Best of all, besides the rental of the hall and the food, it was very inexpensive.

Categories: Sweet 16th, 1960s Retro

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