In KIMBERLY AKIMBO, winner of five 2023 Tony Awards including Best Musical, the title character’s life is in upheaval. Between a move to a new town, her first crush, family dysfunction and a genetic condition, her life is a rollercoaster. In the production, Kimberly celebrates her 16^th birthday, which, as any parent knows, is a difficult age to plan a party for, in that awkward time that teeters between childhood and adulthood.

For parents out there looking to plan a birthday party, here are some ideas a 16-year-old may love, depending on their interests.

Photo courtesy American Ninja Warrior Adventure Park

FOR ADVENTURE-SEEKING TEENS:

American Ninja Warrior Adventure Park is inspired by the popular TV show, letting guests experience truss obstacles such as Spider Walls, Floating Bridges and 10,000+ square feet of inflatable obstacle course. Parties include one hour of ninja session and one hour in the party room, which includes a dedicated party host, pizza, soft drinks, serve ware, branded Grip Socks, a special t-shirt for the Birthday Ninja, printable invitations and more. Additional swag and food and drink items can be added on. Hosts can bring in cake or cupcakes.
Location: 7150 Leetsdale Drive, Denver, 720.769.5198.

FlyteCo Tower parties are all about choices. Between two floors, teen parties can go bowling, play 18 holes of minigolf, and enjoy a full arcade at this aeronautics-themed restaurant and brewery located at the base of what was once the control tower for Denver’s former airport. OverFlyte, on the third floor of the Tower, has pin-pong, axe throwing (for ages 14 and older) and golf simulators. Food is available throughout the three levels and areas can be reserved for as few as 20 people. Order off the menu or order food in advance.

Photo courtesy FlyteCo Tower

Location: 3120 Uinta St., Denver, 720.708.8833.

Podium Karting & Events feeds the need for speed among party guests aged 14 and up. They offer races of different formats from relays to championship-style racing to a finish line to Indy Racing. Party packages can include go-karts, axe-throwing, food, drink and event space.
Location: 7300 Broadway, Denver, 720.282.5000.

FOR A SLIGHTLY PROPER TEEN:

Afternoon Tea, Brown Palace Hotel. Photo by Courtney Drake-McDonough

Afternoon Tea provides a reason to dress up the party a little and feel fancy while enjoying various teas and pretty presentations of both savory and sweet treats served on tiered plates. D Bar’s Uptown dessert and pastry spot serves its Afternoon Tea Saturday or Sunday afternoons in a contemporary atmosphere. For something that feels a little more traditional, Afternoon Tea Service in the atrium of the historic Brown Palace Hotel in downtown Denver is accompanied by live piano music and is offered daily.
Locations: D Bar –  494 E. 19^th Ave., Denver, 303.861.4710; Brown Palace Hotel – 321 17^th St., Denver, 303.297.3111.

FOR THE TEEN WHO WANTS TO SPREAD THEIR WINGS: 

Aerial Cirque Over Denver birthday parties provide professional instruction on aerial silks and trapeze for approximately 1 ½ hours to give guests ample time to try out new skills. Add-ons include a mini performance by instructors and extra time for the lesson or cake and presents. They do not have tables, so cake time is informal, held sitting on chairs or the floor. Birthday parties are held on weekends.
Location: 4605 Quebec St., Denver, 720.654.9737.

iFLY Colorado Springs lets birthday-goers experience indoor skydiving in state-of-the-art vertical wind tunnels. After initial instruction, kids get gear on and have their flight session. There is a party room and pizza and beverages that you can add to the experience. There’s no falling feeling, just the feeling of being suspended in the air.
Location: 281 Kaycee Case Pl., Colorado Springs, 719.400-4359.

Photo courtesy Aerial Cirque

FOR THE ARTSY TEEEN:

Art Garage in Park Hill offers themed parties that includes the art project, an art instructor, materials, a decorated board with the guest of honor’s name and a party assistant. Popular parties for this age group include “functional ceramics” such as making hand-built jewelry boxes, bowls, and mugs thrown on the wheel. There’s also stenciling and spray-painting and making wearable art such as jewelry or painted tote bags. The last 30 minutes of the 2-hour party time is for socializing, opening gifts and enjoying food and cake, which can be brought in.
Location: 6100 E. 23^rd Ave., Denver, 303.377.2353.

Photo courtesy Meow Wolf, Denver

Ceramics in the City has party packages or you can create your own. They’ll do the set up and clean-up. Themes are Harry Potter, Banks, Party Animals, Fairytale Figures, Dunk Mugs (that hold milk and a cookie) or pick items off the shelf to paint. Parties are 1 ½ hours long. The studio team handles set up, facilitates the party and cleans up. Participants leave the painted project to be glazed and fired and then pick up the finished product in a week or less. Cake can be brought in but no other food. They do not supply plates, utensils or napkins.
Location: 5214 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, 303.200.0461

FOR OTHER-WORLDLY TEENS:

Meow Wolf Denver Convergence Station is an immersive, interactive, experience and journey of discovery kind of thing. It’s a place you have to see to believe – and only maybe understand. For 16-year-olds, it hits on a lot of cylinders with mysteries, portals, other worlds, amazing visuals and creative characters. Guests get a QPASS, which they use to get into each of the four worlds that converged in a mysterious event. There’s a narrative that runs throughout and teens will bond over taking a deep dive into the storyline. For parties of 25 or more, group ticket pricing is available. Get food from the on-site HELLOFOOD Café & Bar and enjoy it on the patio or work with approved outside caterers. Outside food is not allowed.
Location: 1338 1^st St., Denver, 866.636.9969.