1
Go to a concert or play. Live performances, be they comedy, ballet, music, or stage plays, are a great way to make an outing special! Get a gang of your best pals together, or see a show with your significant other for a romantic birthday date.
- Make the outing really special by stopping for drinks or dinner beforehand, or grabbing dessert (did someone say birthday cake?) at your favorite restaurant afterward.
2
Have a picnic. A leisurely afternoon sitting on a blanket outdoors is a perfect way to enjoy your day. Take a blanket, some drinks, snacks, and pals, find a scenic spot, and celebrate your big day with a picnic. If you’re feeling a bit fancy, bring wine, cheese, and fruit.
- For a more festive feel, bring cake, balloons, and a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY banner (or not-so-subtly hint to your friends to do it) and turn your picnic into your own magical outdoor birthday party.
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3
Try a new restaurant. Make a reservation at a place you’ve been dying to try, whether that means having a delicious brunch or a fancy dinner. You could try the new sushi place that’s been taking off or an authentic Italian trattoria—whatever suits your tastes. Invite a few friends and enjoy a meal together!
- You could always make reservations for a big party if you want, but don’t worry about bringing as many people as possible! It may be easier to get a reservation for a small group of close friends.
4
Take a scenic hike. Did you know spending time in nature is good for your mental health?[1] Enjoy a peaceful stroll through nature and breathe in the fresh air. Plus, you can always bring a picnic and find a spot with a view to stop and eat. Invite friends to take in the sights with you or take a quiet hike by yourself if you prefer.
5
Go swimming. Whether you dive into your local lake or you suit up at the Y, swimming is a fun and refreshing birthday activity. If you want to make it a really special day, gather a gang of besties and go to your fave water park for a day of games, cotton candy, and water slides!
6
Check out an escape room. See how much smarter you’ve gotten in the last year by going to an escape room! To “win,” you and your team must find clues, solve puzzles, and complete tasks in the escape room within a certain amount of time. So gather up your most Sherlock Holmes-y pals for a birthday you’ll never forget.[2]
- There are escape rooms centered on all kinds of themes, from ancient Egypt to Harry Potter. See what cool escape rooms there are in your area, or make an adventure of it and road trip to your room of choice!
7
See Also300+ Happy Birthday Wishes and Messages - WishesMsgThe 50 Best Happy Birthday Quotes to Help You Celebrate101 birthday wishes and messages to send to all the special people in your life130 Happy Birthday Wishes and Messages for EveryoneHave a game day (or night). Pick some of your favorite board games, card games, or multiplayer video games and invite some friends over for a gaming marathon! You could also make the event more collaborative by asking guests to bring one of their favorite games, too—or have a gaming tournament and see which of you is the greatest gamer of them all.[3]
- Make sure you set out some snacks and drinks if you plan to play games for a while!
8
Go bar-hopping. If you’re a fan of fancy co*cktails or craft beers, why not take your friend group out on an all-night adventure to the best bars your city has to offer? You can test out that cool new tiki bar you’ve been meaning to try, or visit your favorite cozy pub.
- Some places may even give you free shots if you tell them it’s your birthday. Picklebacks all around!
9
Have a spa day. Your birthday is the perfect day for a mental detox! Make an appointment at a spa in your town and prepare to be pampered. Go with a bestie or have a solo relaxation day. You deserve it![4]
- From facials to cucumber water to mud baths to much-needed massages, a spa day is a great way to show yourself some self-love!
- Going to a spa can be pricey, but you can have your own special spa day at home. Buy a few face masks for everyone, light your most fragrant candles, pour everyone a glass of champagne or hot tea, and you're guaranteed a fun, relaxing birthday.
- Buying spa products can get expensive quickly, but asking everyone to bring their favorite lotions, masks, and nail polishes is a great way to save money and make your guests feel more involved.
10
Get lost in a bookstore. Are you a total bookworm? If so, there’s no better place to spend your special day than a bookstore. Hit up a local bookstore or check out a bigger chain bookstore, and find a few new reads for yourself! Plus, you can always bring a couple of friends, grab some coffee or tea, and chat about the books you find.
11
Play games at an arcade. Arcades aren’t just for kids! It’s never too late to head over to your local arcade with some friends and spend a few hours playing games—and winning prizes, of course. So, go ahead and indulge your inner child with everything from Pinball to Mario Kart!
12
Go bowling. Round up a group of friends and head over to a bowling alley for a few games and see who can knock down the most pins! Bowling is super chill and easy to do, yet lots of fun—and since most bowling alleys have food and snacks, you can also grab a bite to eat there.
13
Visit an amusem*nt park. There’s no shortage of things to do at an amusem*nt park, from thrilling rides to games, treats, and gift shops. You could easily spend your entire day getting lost there with a couple of besties, and you never know—you might even get special treatment there if it’s your birthday!
14
See a comedy show. Check to see if there’s an improv or comedy show in your area and snag tickets. There’s nothing like a healthy dose of laughter to make a birthday feel extra joyful, after all. You could even join an open mic night and try a comedy routine of your own!
15
Go camping. If you’re a lover of the great outdoors, why not plan a camping trip? Find a local campground where you can lay out a few tents, light a campfire, make s’mores, and tell some stories with a group of friends. Try bringing some games to play, too, to add in some extra fun.
16
Go thrifting (or shopping). If you have some extra funds to spare, check out a few thrift shops in the area; the beauty of them is that you never know what you’ll find! You might find anything from some amazing (and inexpensive) clothes or a cool new piece of furniture for your home.
- If thrifting isn’t for you, you could also go on a regular old shopping spree with a few friends and hit up your favorite stores.
17
Have an ice cream social. Get a whole bunch of ice cream flavors (including a couple of your absolute favorites) and some toppings—like sprinkles, chocolate syrup, cookies, marshmallows, cherries, or whipped cream. Then throw a party where you and your guests make your dream sundaes together!
18
Visit a cat or puppy cafe. How about a dose of cuteness on your birthday? Find a puppy or cat cafe in your area and make an appointment so you (and some pals) can spend a couple of hours drinking coffee, eating pastries, and best of all, cuddling with animals!
- This is especially great if you’re already planning on adopting a pet. You might just meet your new best friend at a cafe with adoptable dogs or cats!
19
Take a class and learn something new. Is there a new skill you’ve always wanted to learn or get better at? Maybe you want to master the art of cooking, learn to speak a new language, or take guitar lessons! Whatever the skill you’re hoping to learn, your birthday is the perfect time to take that leap and sign up for a class.
- Rope a friend or your significant other into taking the class with you! That way, you’ll have an activity to share—and something special to do with one another regularly.
20
Get a makeover. It’s a new year for you, so try a new look! Treat yourself to a new hairdo, a wardrobe update, some new makeup—or all of the above. Visit a salon or beauty counter for hair and makeup, and find a few pieces of clothing to add to your wardrobe at either your favorite store or one you’ve been wanting to check out.
21
Have a pajama party. Who says pajama parties are for kids alone? You can do this with friends, a partner, or even your whole family if you have a partner and kids! Hang out in your favorite comfy pair of pajamas, eat snacks, and binge-watch your favorite TV shows to make your birthday chill and tons of fun.
22
Do some karaoke. Rent a private room at a karaoke place for you and your friends, or head over to a karaoke bar where you can mingle and sing along with total strangers—whatever makes you more comfortable! Belt out your favorite songs, have a few drinks, and stay out a little too late to celebrate your special day.
23
Host a private movie screening. Have people over to watch your favorite movie with you—and have some popcorn while you watch, of course. You could rent the movie of your choice, stream it on your TV, or even get a projector and create a DIY big screen in your home.[5]
- If you have the funds, you could even rent out a movie theater for your birthday and have your party there!
24
Plan a trip to visit a friend. Give yourself the gift of quality time with someone you really love, whether that’s a close friend who lives farther away or a family member. Make plans to take a road trip, train ride, or plane and go see them for a few days. It’s a surefire way to make your birthday super memorable!
25
Book a room at a hotel. You don’t have to go far; staycations can be tons of fun because they feel like vacations without you actually having to travel! Rent a hotel room for your birthday and spend the night enjoying the hotel amenities and ordering room service. Try bringing someone with you, too, whether you end up sharing a room with your partner or bestie.[6]
26
Collect birthday freebies. There are a ton of different restaurants and stores that offer free stuff on your birthday—so why not spend the day getting as many freebies as possible? Recruit some friends and enjoy anything from a meal or snack to a movie at a discounted price. Places with free birthday rewards include:
- AMC will give you a large popcorn when you buy a movie ticket on your birthday if you’re an AMC stubs member.
- Baskin Robbins offers a free scoop of ice cream when you join their Birthday Club.
- BJ’s Brewhouse will give you a free pizookie for your birthday if you’re a Rewards Member.
- Cheesecake Factory will give you a free slice of cheesecake if you’re a member of Cheesecake Rewards.
- Coldstone Creamery offers a buy one, get one creation free for Club members.
- Olive Garden offers a free dessert so long as you get a meal there for your birthday, no signup required!
- Starbucks will give you a free drink or food item if you’re a Starbucks Rewards member.
27
Buy yourself a present. You’re a savvy spender and you diligently tuck away money with every paycheck, right? Well, your birthday is your time to splurge on yourself and buy that special thing you’ve been wanting, whether it’s a divine-smelling perfume, a first edition of your favorite novel, or a new video game.
28
Throw yourself a birthday bash. Take matters into your own hands and plan a spectacular birthday party so you can host your friends, put out food, play some music, catch up with everyone, and above all, have a very happy birthday. For advice on planning and throwing your birthday party, check out our guide below!
29
Write a letter to your future self. Try starting a simple tradition of writing a letter to yourself reflecting on the past year and your goals for the year ahead. It doesn’t have to be perfect or super deep; just share your thoughts as best you can and give yourself something special to look back on when you reopen it on your next birthday.
30
Do nothing. Who says birthdays have to be filled with activity? Many of us want to have a birthday that’s filled to the brim with adventures, but there’s nothing wrong with just relaxing and taking it easy on your birthday.[7]
- Sleep in. Have a big breakfast and relax.
- Cook a favorite meal, or watch those rental movies you haven’t had the time for.
- Invite friends or family over for a casual hang, or enjoy the alone time!
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