60+ Fun Things You Can Do on Your Birthday

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Have an unforgettable birthday with these activities

Co-authored by Natasha Miller and Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: January 12, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Group Birthday Activities
|
• Solo Birthday Activities
|
• Adventurous Birthday Activities
|
• Chill Birthday Activities
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• Free Birthday Activities

|Show more |Show less

Happy birthday! Odds are if you’re looking at this article, you’re trying to find some fun activities to celebrate your special day. Since your birthday only comes once a year, you should take the opportunity to do whatever you want to do. Whether that’s something adventurous like skydiving or something lowkey like having a movie marathon, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for the best birthday celebration ideas, plus expert tips from party and event planners.

Things You Should Know

• Celebrate with your friends by throwing a party, going bar hopping, or doing an escape room.
• Treat yourself to some self-care by having a spa day, eating breakfast in bed, and doing some reflective journaling.
• Opt for a free activity like a picnic in the park, hiking, or visiting with family.

Steps

Section 1 of 5:

Group Birthday Activities

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   Celebrate with your friends or family. There are a ton of fun group activities you can do to celebrate your birthday. As an adult, it can be hard to get everyone together at the same time, so your birthday is a great way to spend time with all your friends. Here are some fun group activity ideas:

   • Throw a party
   • Do an escape room
   • Go bar hopping
   • Go bowling
   • Go camping or glamping
   • Do karaoke
   • Have a pajama party
   • Rent a limo or party bus
   • Visit a comedy show
   • Play mini-golf
   • Go to a fancy restaurant
   • Go paintballing
   • Play laser tag
   • Pro tip: Party rental company owner Anna Braff recommends choosing a smaller group to save money. “I think keeping the numbers down is important,” she says. “You may have 10 friends, but that does add up, so maybe it’s best to just pick five.”
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Section 2 of 5:

Solo Birthday Activities

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   Unwind and focus on yourself. If you’re under a lot of stress, your birthday is the perfect opportunity to ignore your responsibilities and do some self-care. If you’re not into crowds or parties, here are some great ways to treat yourself on your birthday:

   • Book a stay at a luxurious hotel
   • Buy yourself something nice
   • Get a tattoo or piercing
   • Visit a psychic
   • Go on a shopping spree
   • Go to a concert
   • Order in from your favorite restaurant
   • Take a cooking class
   • Have a spa day
   • Get your hair and makeup done at a salon
   • Donate to your favorite charity
   • Try goat yoga
   • Visit an animal shelter
   • Stay at a unique Airbnb

Section 3 of 5:

Adventurous Birthday Activities

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   Birthdays are the best time to do something daring. If you’ve been wanting to get out of the funk of day-to-day life, why not splurge on an adventure? Your birthday will certainly be a day you remember for the rest of your life when you do one of these fun activities:

   • Go skydiving
   • Try rock climbing
   • Go snorkeling
   • Go bungee jumping
   • Go horseback riding
   • Take a hot air balloon ride
   • Learn to ice skate
   • Go white water rafting
   • Visit an amusement park
   • Book a cruise
   • Ride in a helicopter
   • Go on a road trip
   • Hop on the first flight out and visit a new place
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Section 4 of 5:

Chill Birthday Activities

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   Do something relaxing. If you don’t feel like being a daredevil, enjoy a peaceful day instead. Grab a couple of friends or treat yourself to a solo day of rest and relaxation. Here are some of the best things you can do to have a chill birthday:

   • Have a movie marathon
   • Have a birthday brunch
   • Go to a Sip and Paint
   • Take a trip to the beach
   • Have a picnic
   • Go wine tasting
   • Read your favorite book
   • Have breakfast in bed
   • Bake a cake
   • Journal about your past year
   • Determine your goals for the upcoming year
   • Create a scrapbook
   • Pro tip: Event planner Rachel Weinshanker recommends partying at home for a chill birthday experience. She says, “Guests enjoy parties in familiar spaces, and oftentimes someone’s home can create a sense of comfort and security.”

Section 5 of 5:

Free Birthday Activities

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   You don’t have to spend money to have fun on your birthday. There are plenty of free things you can do at home, by yourself, or with a group to celebrate. Your birthday is all about you, so don’t let the stress of spending money stop you from having a good time. Here are some ideas:

   • Visit a free museum
   • Take a stroll through the park
   • Explore your city
   • Have a game night
   • Go hiking
   • Dress up in your favorite outfit
   • Write a letter to your future self
   • Go window shopping
   • Volunteer with a cause you care about
   • Visit your best friend
   • Spend time with your family
   • Pro tip: Party planner Natasha Miller suggests playing Bingo for a game night. “Bingo has made this big comeback,” she says. “It’s fun because there’s some competition, but it really is a game of chance. And, you know, anything that has prizes is a win.”
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