Feel Free to Steal One of These 40 Fun 25th Birthday Ideas

Who says you’re not allowed to make your own birthday cake?? Get a lil inspo on TikTok (or Cake Boss, perhaps?) and get your piping bag ready—you’re going to bake a cake that’s going to win you dozens of likes on social and “OMG, you made this???” comments in person.

Sometimes it’s nice just to get a change of scenery, and you can do that by renting out a gorgeous property for a night or two. Take a peek at VRBO or Airbnb and see what’s in your price range. Whether you do a cute romantic getaway somewhere close to home or a big girls’ trip out of town, it’s a guaranteed good time.

This one’s for all the girlies who wanted to be a vet when they grew up. Take a trip to your local animal shelter and volunteer your time in whatever way is most helpful. (And maybe ask for donations to the shelter instead of birthday presents this year!) Also, I don’t want to be the one to say it, but you could adopt or foster a new best friend, if that’s something you’re ready for…

For some reason food just tastes better when it’s eaten outside and on a blanket. I suggest staking a claim on a spot near a tree, stringing up some twinkly lights and a birthday sign, and inviting all your loved ones. If you want to turn the picnic into an outdoor tea party, even better.

Throw it allll the way back by inviting your friends over for a wholesome-ass sleepover. You should definitely embrace the nostalgia of it all and have a pillow fight, play truth or dare, and bake cookies. Maybe choreograph a dance routine or film a low-budget music video while you’re at it!

If there’s a chill lil winery near you, take a couple of friends and partake in one of the tasting sessions they offer. If not, create your own by purchasing a bunch of bottles and some opaque glasses so your guests can go in blind. Don’t forget the cheese!

Sit down and write a letter to yourself at 30, 40, 50 or beyond. What do you hope future you has achieved? How do you hope you feel? Who do you hope ends up staying in your life? Put it all down in ink and seal it with a kiss.

What better way to ring in a new phase of life than with some killer new IG content? Find a photographer you click (heh) with—I suggest searching Airbnb Experiences or Flytopgrapher!—then set up a shoot that makes you feel special. I’m talking favorite location, favorite outfit, and favorite people all in the shot!

Or whatever mother figure you have in your life. You probably wouldn’t have made it 25 years without them, after all! Gotta give credit where credit is due.

Take advantage of the fact that you’re young and can still day drink! This is a skill that sadly will not last forever! Plus, brunch means you get to dress all cute and gather the girlies to eat breakfast foods—need I say more?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock (slash don’t have the clock app downloaded on your phone), you’ve most definitely heard of PowerPoint Nights, a concept that blew up on TikTok during the pandemic. Basically, you get a group together and make PowerPoint presentations about actually fun topics, like “Each Friend’s Celebrity Doppelganger” and “My Favorite Conspiracy Theory.” Because it’s your birthday, I think every friend should make a presentation about you, but that’s just an idea…

Just you, some friends, and the great outdoors…what better way to spend your birthday? Get your fresh air on by bringing a tent or two to a nearby campsite and gathering your loved ones for some s’mores and singalongs. If tents sound a little too nature-y for you, check out Getaway House, a company that offers tiny cabin rentals a short drive from several big cities.

You heard Miley! Do it right now! Go to Trader Joe’s or your local farmer’s market and load up on some blooms, then arrange ‘em in the cutest vase you can find. Pro tip: Buy dried flowers if you want your bouquet to last for a while!

Trust me, it’ll be fun even if you have no team affiliation and just want both sides to have a good time. You get to dress up in a little costume and eat and drink to your heart’s content. And to that, I say…go sports!

You know what all those tacky signs in your MIL’s house say: life is better when you’re laughing. Check out a local comedy club—or get tickets to see a big comedian coming to town—and prepare to giggle. Bonus points if you try an open-mic night!

Or Dave and Buster’s. Or whatever arcade exists in whatever corner of the Earth you exist in. Embrace your inner child where a kid can be a kid, and eat some greasy food while you’re at it.

It’s a new year of you, so start things off on a fresh note with a sparkly new journal. A whole book full of blank pages is *everything* (is it just me, or do unused journals smell amazing?), and a damn good metaphor, if I do say so myself.

…except to go to the bathroom. But really! Make a point of not getting out from between your covers and enjoy spending the entire day vegging out. You can do whatever your heart desires while horizontal—just make sure your partner or roommate serves you your meals in bed!

Think of what cause is closest to your heart. Is it mental health awareness? LGBTQ rights? Fighting hunger in your community? Decide what speaks to you and spend the day donating your time and energy to a charity that could use your help.

Whether you go out to a karaoke bar or simply search “best karaoke songs” on Youtube while hanging in your living room, it’s never a bad idea to sing your heart out alongside your best friends. A word from the wise: if you do head to a bar, try to find one that has personal rooms you can book out that allow you to BYOB!