22 Best 18th Birthday Ideas you NEED to do for Your Birthday

If you’re turning 18 soon and need some 18th birthday ideas, keep on reading. Whether you’re looking to celebrate with friends; throw an 18th birthday party, or keep things lowkey and casual; these 18th birthday ideas will give you tons of inspiration to plan an incredible day. 

18th Birthday Ideas

1. Have a Self Care Day

Honestly, one of my favorite birthday ideas, especially for an 18th birthday, is to have a self care day. You can DIY everything at home or book appointments and let someone else pamper you. 

From getting your nails done to getting a new hairstyle; this is a great way to reset and ring in your birthday feeling relaxed and totally pampered.

2. Go Shopping

Get some much needed retail therapy and treat yourself to a birthday shopping day. 

3. Collect Birthday Freebies

You’ve probably seen those “Come with me to collect my birthday freebies” videos online. If you haven’t, it’s basically where people spend the day visiting different restaurants and stores to redeem free rewards.

So many places give out amazing rewards just for it being your birthday. From a free stack of pancakes at IHOP to a free drink at Starbucks, there are tons of fun freebies to scoop up. Just make sure to check each restaurant’s rules so you know how to redeem them.

Here are some of my favorite spots that offer birthday freebies. But definitely do your own research, there are so many more out there:

• Jamba Juice

• Crumbl Cookies

• Aunti Anne’s 

• Publix

• Einstein Bros Bagels

• Krispy Kreme Donuts

• Dutch Bros Coffee

• Baskin Robbins

4. Visit a Theme Park

As a Florida native, one of my absolute favorite things to do, especially for special occasions like a birthday, is to spend the day at a theme park. Disney and Universal are my go-tos, but you can totally visit any amusement park near you. 

Or, if you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can even plan a little birthday trip and come on down to Florida to experience some of the iconic parks here. 

CHECK OUT: Best Snacks At Magic Kingdom You Can’t Leave Without Eating

5. Go Out for Dinner

Going out for dinner is such a classic birthday idea and it’s usually on a lot of people’s birthday itinerary. Whether you’re heading to a restaurant or having a dinner party at home; there’s something so special about gathering at a table with friends and family.

Fun 18th Birthday Ideas

6. Go Out for Brunch

If dinner isn’t really your style, or if you just want to start your celebration earlier in the day; celebrate your birthday by going out for brunch. 

7. Take Birthday Pictures

Turning 18 can be a bitter sweet milestone because you’re not just leaving childhood, you’re officially stepping into adulthood. So make sure to commemorate it by taking some cute birthday pictures. 

You can go as casual or as fancy as you want. Whether you’re taking pictures on your phone or booking a photographer, celebrate the moment and capture it.

8. Hang Out With Friends

If you’re looking for 18th birthday ideas with friends, there are so many things you can do besides throwing a party. You can go to the arcade, go roller skating, go bowling, or check out any other fun hangout spots you and your friends love.

9. Have a Slumber Party

Now that you’re almost 18, you probably think that sleepovers ended in your teens, but that’s not true. Lean into your inner child and have a slumber party with your besties! And take the opportunity to do some classic sleepover activities like baking cookies, watching a movie, and doing karaoke for a fun girls night in.

10. Book a Hotel or Airbnb

Continuing with the slumber party idea, if you want to jazz it up a bit; you can ask your parents to help you book a hotel or Airbnb for the celebration.

Creative 18th Birthday Ideas

11. Act as a Tourist in Your City

If you live in a touristy area, take advantage of it and pretend you’re a tourist in your own city. Visit popular attractions, restaurants, and landmarks, and enjoy the day as if you’re on vacation.

12. Go to the Movie Theater

Another great birthday idea, especially if you want something super casual, is going to the movie theater.

13. Have a Picnic

If you’re looking for a way to spend your birthday outdoors, consider having a picnic. You can keep it casual with some snacks, a blanket, and your friends. Or if you want something bigger, you can do a picnic party with balloons, decorations, and a spread of food. 

One of my favorite things about a picnic, is that you can do it almost anywhere. At the beach, by a lake, in the park, or even in your backyard.

14. Go on a Birthday Trip

Whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a full-blown vacation, coordinate with your friends and family and plan a birthday trip together.

15. Go Restaurant Hopping

If you’re a foodie who loves to eat out, try having breakfast, lunch, and dinner at different restaurants. One of my good friends and I did this for her birthday one year, and we absolutely loved it. She’s such a foodie, and it was so fun exploring new spots and eating out all day. 

And y’all… I don’t know about you, but there’s just something about someone else cooking your food that makes it taste ten times better. So if you love dining out. Or if you don’t usually eat out and want to experience being fully catered to, definitely give this a try!

Birthday ideas for 18th Birthday

16. Celebrate With Seasonal Activities

No matter what month your birthday falls in, there are always fun seasonal activities you can take advantage of. For example, if your birthday is in the fall, you can do classic fall activities like visiting a pumpkin patch. If it’s in the winter, you can go ice skating or book a winter cabin. Spring birthdays are perfect for picnics or a cute garden themed party. And if you’re a summer baby, you can celebrate with a pool party, a beach day, or a backyard BBQ.

CHECK OUT: 21 Festive Fall Birthday Party Ideas For A Fun Celebration

17. Take a Pottery Class

Another one of my friends booked a pottery class for her birthday and invited a few of us. And it ended up being such a creative and fun activity, that I still think about it to this day. Every time I look at the pottery plate I made, I’m reminded of her birthday and the time we spent together.

So if you’re looking for something fun to do with friends and want a built-in party favor; consider booking an activity or class where everyone can take home something they made. 

18. Go on a Cruise

(Cue The Suite Life on Deck theme song) 🎶 “Come along with me, let’s head out to sea, see what this world has for you and me now!”

If you’ve been thinking about going on a cruise, your birthday is the perfect time to celebrate on the open waters. From waterslides and onboard attractions to exploring different port countries, a cruise can be a unique and exciting experience. I recently went on my first cruise, and it was really fun. 

If you want to read more about my cruise experiences and tips, check out the link below!

CHECK OUT: What To Wear On A Cruise: Cruise Outfits For A Cute & Comfy Look 

19. Write a Letter to Your Future Self

From making a list of the 18 things you’ve learned in 18 years; to creating a bucket list of 18 things you want to accomplish; to writing a heartfelt letter to your future self; your birthday is the perfect time to sit back, relax, and reflect. 

Take a moment to look at where you’ve been, where you are now, and where you’re headed. Trust me, it’s a sweet reminder of how much you’ve grown and how much you’re still growing.

Things to do for 18th Birthday

20. Have an 18th Birthday Party

If you’re wanting a big celebration with your friends and family, then consider throwing an 18th birthday party. You can keep it simple with a classic party vibe. Or go all out with a fun theme, like a Y2K themed party. And if you’re looking for 18th birthday party ideas, check out the article linked below!

21. Celebrate with Your Favorite Dessert

Celebrate your birthday with cake. Or, if you’re not a fan of cake, go for your favorite dessert! Whether it’s donuts, cookies, ice cream, or anything else you love, this is your day, so make it as sweet and delicious as possible.

22. Have a Golden Birthday Party

If you’re turning 18 on the 18th of your birth month, consider celebrating with a golden birthday party! A golden birthday is when your age matches the day you were born. For example, turning 18 on November 18 would be your golden birthday. 

I’ve seen so many people online go all out with a gold themed party, and it looks A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. All you need to do, is decorate with lots of gold decorations, shimmer, and plenty of sparkling accents to bring your party to life.