22nd Birthday Ideas: 22 Fun Ways to Celebrate This Special Day
Turning 22 gets less glory than turning 21 or even 25, but we think it should be no less fun! Whether you’re planning a 22nd birthday shindig for a loved one or yourself, we’ve put together a list of the best 22nd birthday ideas. From boozy brunches to international getaways, you’ll find a fun way to celebrate another trip around the sun.
22 Ideas for an Unforgettable 22nd Birthday
Think the fun ends with planning a 21st birthday party? Not a chance! Get ready to ring in the big day with this list of the best 22nd birthday party ideas that span a variety of styles and budgets. We’ve also included birthday invitation designs so you can let guests know they’re about to attend a bash they won’t forget.
1. Host a Boozy Brunch
Design: Sogi’s Honey Bakeshop
Invitation Inspiration: But First, Brunch Invitation
Celebrate this special day with a fabulous brunch surrounded by your favorite people. Reserve a table at a local restaurant or host a brunch at home. You can make it a dress-up event by setting a dress code — boho chic or 70s disco, perhaps?
Whatever you decide, make sure to mention any important details on your digital invites — and don’t forget the mimosas and bloody marys for a birthday toast!
2. Go on a Wine Tasting Adventure
Get everyone together for a fabulous wine tasting trip. Head to famous wine regions in California like Napa and Santa Barbara or explore quieter vineyards like Texas Hill Country or one of the many smaller wineries in Oregon and Washington.
For a more budget-friendly option, plan a wine tasting at a local restaurant or at home. For a 22nd birthday gift that matches the theme, buy the honoree a bottle of wine or order custom wine glasses.
3. Relax With a Spa Day
Design: Claudia Owen
Invitation Inspiration: Painted Hibiscus Invitation
Ahhhh … it’s hard to go wrong with a birthday spa day. If your 21st birthday was madness, why not flip the script with this soothing 22nd birthday idea? Indulge in massages, manis, or facials at a wellness retreat with your besties. Or opt for a DIY spa day at home with cozy robes, face masks, aromatherapy candles, calming music, and lots of tasty snacks.
4. Host a DIY Paint and Sip
For this 22nd birthday idea, head to your local party supply shop and pick up essentials like paint brushes, canvases, and glitter. Next, make a quick stop at the grocery store for some wine, beer, or spirits. Set up a mini art studio in your living room or on your patio and invite the birthday honoree and friends for a sensational paint-and-sip soiree!
5. Plan a Staycation
Design: Make and Tell
Invitation Inspiration: Cake and Flowers Invitation
Don’t feel like planning an international trip, but still want the feeling of getting away? Rent a hotel room or Airbnb nearby for a staycation. Look for a place that has special amenities like a pool, hot tub, outdoor fire pit, or game room. Depending on what the birthday girl or boy prefers, you can also choose a place that’s close to outdoor activities or entertainment.
6. Focus on a Birthday Party Theme
You don’t need much more than a few friends, some decorations, and a creative birthday party theme to make lasting memories. For instance, maybe you want to relive the glitz and glamour with a Roaring 20s party or a Taylor Swift-themed soiree inspired by her song “22.” Match the birthday party decorations to the theme and don’t forget birthday balloons, streamers, b-day centerpieces, and a birthday banner.
7. Host a BBQ
Design: Claudia Owen
Invitation Inspiration: Backyard BBQ Grill Invitation
Get together for a casual birthday celebration with a delectable BBQ party. Gather all the fixings for the grill and set up comfy seating areas for guests. Don’t forget to plan some fun outdoor party games.
8. Play Party Games
Speaking of games, take the fun up a notch by playing party games to celebrate the newly minted 22-year-old. Even if you’re just hanging with friends or family at home, games like Drunk Jenga, beer pong, and flip cup are favorites. You can also play classics like Twister, set up a scavenger hunt, or team up for relay races.
9. Go Tropical With a Luau
Design: frau brandt (photo courtesy of Patrick Nied)
Invitation Inspiration: Luau Crown invitation
Instead of a classic BBQ, get ready for tiki time with a tropical luau party! Even if roasting a pig on a spit isn’t an option, you can still have plenty of delicious luau-inspired foods like grilled pineapple, roasted sweet potatoes, and poke bowls. Give the birthday honoree a birthday sash and lei to complete the theme.
10. Take a Hike
Enjoy the great outdoors and celebrate year 22 with a hike in nature. Think about the activity level of your group when planning a hike. If you’re avid hikers, go for a big summit. If your group has novice hikers, skip the peak bagging and opt for a meadow trail or meandering river walk instead.
11. Casino Night
Design: Claudia Owen
Invitation Inspiration: Wildcard Invitation
Does the birthday honoree love a little friendly competition? Plan a casino night where you can dress up and play card games like the pros. Play classics like blackjack and poker or go all out and rent a roulette table.
12. Visit a Trampoline Park
Trampolines aren’t just for kids. Head to an indoor trampoline park where you can do backflips and put together a whole gymnastics routine. Grab a bite to eat after you work up an appetite and make sure to have some birthday cake.
13. Belt It Out With Karaoke
Design: Claudia Owen
Invitation Inspiration: Karaoke Night Invitation
Sing your heart out and belt tunes from your favorite artists with a karaoke birthday celebration. It’s a fun way to let loose and have fun with your closest friends. Head to a local karaoke bar if you enjoy taking center stage or download a karaoke app to have the event in your home — away from an audience!
14. Visit a Barcade
What’s more fun than an arcade? A barcade that serves adult beverages! (Hey, being 22 years old has its privileges.) Belly up to the bar with your pals and grab a few beers or take a shot. Then crush the competition at arcade games like PacMan, Donkey Kong, and Frogger.
15. Go on a Brewery Tour
Design: Laura Bolter Design
Invitation Inspiration: Party Brewing Invitation
Get the gang together for a brewery tour and get the lowdown on how beer is made, from fermenting hops to adding flavors. After the tour, order a flight to try different beers. You can also plan to visit a couple of different breweries to make it an all-day celebration — just be sure you’ll have ride-sharing services available or book a driver for the day.
16. Try a New Workout Class
Step outside of your comfort zone and try a new fitness class. Aim high with an aerial yoga course or go bold with a pole dancing class. You can also let your hair down and show off your best moves with dance classes like Zumba.
17. Plan an International Getaway
Design: Claudia Owen
Invitation Inspiration: Mediterranean Tiles Invitation
Celebrate an extra special special birthday with your best friend by heading on a trip to a foreign country. You can stay close and visit places near the U.S. like Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Of course, you could also head farther to favorite spots like Paris, Bali, or Portugal. Need 22nd birthday gift ideas? Luggage tags, packing cubes, and personalized totes are great options.
18. Host a Beach Day or Pool Party
Have fun in the sun with a beach party or poolside celebration. Giant floaties like flamingos, llamas, and sunbeds are perfect for some luxury lounging in the pool — plus, they make for great props for all your Instagram photos. Pack plenty of refreshments and consider having contests like frisbee toss and hula-hoop.
19. Plan a Picnic
Design: Make and Tell
Invitation Inspiration: Picnic Basket Invitation
Want to celebrate your 22nd birthday with a relaxed and sophisticated vibe? Plan an aesthetic picnic. Lay out a picnic blanket and cozy pillows for seating. Use retro glasses for a funky vibe or opt for rose gold table settings for an elegant look. Serve classic picnic foods like cheese, cold cuts, and wine — alongside the birthday cake! Don’t forget to snap fabulous pics to commemorate the moment.
20. Hire a Party Bus or Bar Bike
Go all out with a party bus rental or plan an afternoon of fun with a bar bike where you can drink and pedal around the city. It’s a great way to check out venues near you without having to worry about driving.
21. Go Camping (or Glamping!)
Design: Signature Greenvelope
Invitation Inspiration: Outdoors Adventure Invitation
Celebrate a 22nd birthday with a camping trip. Pack up the tents, bug spray, and coolers and hit the road to your favorite camping spots. If camping isn’t your thing, try glamping in a chic yurt or comfy cabin. Make it a memorable trip by ordering group T-shirts or personalized sleeping bags.
22. Enjoy a Movie Night
Stay in and celebrate the big two-two with a movie night. Binge watch a new TV show or watch some of your favorite movies with your closest friends. Bring out the popcorn and movie snacks like nachos, candy, and hot dogs. If weather permits, you could even host an outdoor movie night under the stars.
Celebrate Your Way With These 22nd Birthday Party Ideas
With these ideas at the helm, you’re sure to come up with a fun way to celebrate a very happy birthday. Once you decide how you want to mark the big 22, send out invites to your party guests.
With Greenvelope, you can choose from hundreds of stunning birthday invitations that you can customize with just a few clicks. From elegant and fancy to casual and funny, there’s an invite style for everyone. For even more ways to celebrate, continue browsing our Stationers blog where you’ll find tips on throwing parties as well as theme ideas, party decorations, and more.
