Recipe(tried): 13th Birthday Party Idea

Having 2 girls (1 preteen & 1 almost in college), we've been through it (Did I mention I was a girl scout leader?). Usually girls love to do the make up thing. We did hair wrapping (embroidery floss & beads) like what they do on the beach. It's easy & my daughter was 9 when she did it.You could incorperate that with a Mary Kay consultant about skin care, etc. You can have stations & include other girls and/or moms to do their specialty. If you know someone at your beauty salon, have them do the girls hair & go for lunch nearby. If it's a slumber party, you could do a runway party. Favors can be sunglasses & the girls can do "modeling" in their jammies, etc. I saw an article in Family Fun (another good resource) that had a runway lined with pink & purple balloons.

Another idea would be do a party at a gymnastics center for tumbling, bowling party, swim party, paintball or go carts. It just depends on what your daughter's interests are. Good Luck!

Good resources would be:
American Girl books (They have a slumber party book)
Boardman's Party Website
Family Fun magazine