What are some great ideas for an 18th birthday party?

Some great themes for an 18th birthday party are a movie party, a beach theme or a Zombieland concept. The venue, activities and food selections can be tailored to suit the theme as well as the celebrant's personal preferences and interests.

To create a movie party theme, setting up a projector screen in the backyard and laying out cushions, throw pillows and blankets on the lawn makes it easy to run a marathon of the 18-year-old's favorite movies or TV shows. Including pretzels, nachos and pizza on the menu fits the theater theme, as does renting an industrial-sized popcorn machine.

A beach theme is a great idea for a summer birthday. Activities such as beach volleyball, Frisbee, sun bathing and surfboarding keep guests engaged, while Adirondack chairs can be arranged for more intimate conversations. Seafood, non-alcoholic cocktails and coconut desserts enhance the tropical theme.

Zombieland is a great concept for an 18th birthday party. Adding red and blue lighting and realistic skeleton props can produce a spooky effect. A professional makeup artist can transform guests into zombies. As a surprise, the host can institute a flash dance mob set to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and dedicate it to the birthday boy or girl.