Island Escape

• Gather the whole family around the pool or at the beach for a sweet 16 island escape. Ask your family to wear Hawaiian shirts to the event, and hold a Hawaiian shirt contest. Give leis to family members with the coolest, loudest, tackiest and prettiest Hawaiian shirts. Play ukulele music in the background to set the mood. Purchase a hula-dance DVD and invite the guests to learn to hula dance. After a day spent swimming and relaxing in the sun, feed the family with a tropical-inspired barbecue. Add pineapples to burgers and serve coconut water. Present the birthday boy or girl with an island-themed coconut or pineapple cake.
  
  

Sweet America

• Celebrate a milestone birthday and honor the country with a Sweet America theme. Organize the party like a Fourth of July fair, with face painting, a beanbag toss and a three-legged race. Consult a local party planning business for fair supplies. Hang American flags around the venue, and decorate with red, white and blue. Set out photos of family members who have served in the United States military. Place small plastic soldiers on tables as centerpieces. After blowing out the candles on the cake, sing the family's favorite patriotic tunes.
  
  

Game Night

• A game night allows the whole family to actively participate in celebrating a Sweet 16. Set up several stations of the guest of honor's favorite board and card games, placing one game at each station. The family can rotate around the stations playing different games all night. Keep track of the winners, and distribute inexpensive awards at the end of the night. To remind everyone that the games are all in good fun, do not play for money.
  
  

Black and White

• Set the tone for the occasion with a striking color palette such as black and white. The whole family should dress in black and white, though the attire can still be casual. Add a splash of color to the birthday boy or girl to set them apart from the rest of the family. A birthday boy may wear a red tie and a birthday girl can select a pink tiara. Stop by a local party supply store for black and white tablecloths, flatware, and cutlery. Use white flowers for the centerpieces. Finish the night with black and white chocolate cake with a black and white sweet 16 cake topper.