The Ultimate List of Hen Party Ideas For Every Type of Group

Updated 31/10/2024

Weddings are a glorious representation of love; but, we all know the fun starts before the big day! When friends & family get asked to play a part in the celebrations it can be a real bonding moment - The excitement of discussing wedding decor, the location, the food, offering up emotional support and of course, planning one of the most anticipated events before the wedding itself - the hen party!

Hen parties play such a huge role in the overall wedding experience, first and foremost they are a great chance to bring friends together from far and wide to celebrate this momentous occasion; however, it can be super daunting if you have never organised a hen party before.

Where do we go? What are we doing there? When should I book the hotel? What’s the food like there? Will we eat out? Your head would be absolutely spinning from all the seemingly endless questions! Simply put, there are nearly too many hen party ideas and activities to choose from at this stage!

Sounds like a lot, doesn't it? Well, that’s because it is! But don't fret, as Henparty.ie is here to help you plan the best hen party ever!

We have got hen do ideas with arranged packages ready to go. Meaning you can focus on having the best night ever with the bride to be and the ladies!

• Unique Hen Party Ideas
• Funny Hen Do Ideas
• Affordable Hen Weekend Ideas
• Classy Hen Party Ideas
• Crafty Hens Night Ideas
• Outdoorsy Hen Party Ideas
• Combined Hen and Stag Party Ideas
• Hen Party Ideas for mixed Ages
• Hen Party Ideas for Small Groups
• Hen Party Ideas for Pregnant Brides

Unique Hen Party Ideas

If the more classic, tried and tested hen party ideas aren’t doing it for you, why not flip the night completely on it’s head and go the opposite direction with some more unique hen party ideas! We have a few hen party ideas for the bold, daring and adventurous brides who don’t want to sit around waiting for sandwiches and scones!

• Murder Mystery Hen Party
• Festival trip
• Experience days
• Belly dancing class
• Escape Room

Murder Mystery Hen Party

Right, this is a proper laugh! When you think of a hen party, you might not instantly think about a horrendous crime, but if the bride-to-be loves a good whodunnit, then a murder mystery event will be the best hen party idea for them. Can you figure out who did it before the big day?

Festival trip

Need something for the music lover? Why don’t you organise a group trip to a festival! There are so many options in Ireland and if you’re willing to spend a few days in a tent together it can be an amazing bonding experience – Get the wellies out girls!

Experience days

For the bride-to-be that loves adventure, why not explore experience days. Experience days vary depending on the location, which makes it entirely personal to the bride-to-be’s interests! You can go from everything from Cabaret to Rallying, sky’s the limit really!

Belly dancing class

Step out of your comfort zone and organise an event the bride-to-be will never forget! Belly dancing classes are great fun and guaranteed to get everyone laughing. Who knows, you might have a secret Shakira in your group and you can show off your new moves at the reception!

Escape Room

Really running with the alternative hen party theme here - why not arrange an escape room? You'll all end up feeling like Sherlock Holmes - Solve clues, attempt riddles and see if you can escape (don’t worry, they let you out after a while if you don’t figure it out!)

Funny Hen Party Ideas

Funny hen parties are a surefire way to get every member of the group interacting and having fun! If you think you need to break the ice and get everyone mingling, we have a few funny hen party ideas to help you make hilarious memories.

• Build a willy
• Footgolf
• Zorbing
• Laughter yoga

Build a willy

It’s a bit crude, but you’ll get everyone laughing with a build-a-willy competition. It is certainly something different! Think of all the sexual innuendos that will be made throughout the day! Plus, it will be a souvenir to ensure everyone remembers the wild night you had.

Footgolf

Look, traditional golf is expensive, try footgolf instead! All you need is your feet and a football! This is a creative hen party idea for any active bride. Similarly to golf, you have to get the ball in the hole in the least amount of shots possible – sounds easy, right?

Zorbing

If you want everyone to have a ball at the hen party (terrible pun!), zorbing could be the answer! I can hear you asking, what in the name of god is Zorbing? Well, it’s giant plastic orb, which you climb inside and are strapped in by a harness before you can bounce around and into other hen party guests – Gas craic!

Laughter yoga

Nothing says fun quite like an activity that has laughter in the name. Laughter yoga is a creative way to laugh away wedding stress and focus on your friends. A few giggles with your favourite people is always a great hen party option.

Affordable Hen Party Ideas

Weddings are notoriously expensive and many couples try to be as thrifty as they can with some aspects of their special day. If you want to plan an affordable hen party that doesn't break the bank for all involved, we have some inexpensive hen party ideas for you.

The best part? Everyone should be able to attend as the financial aspect shouldn’t be a factor -

• The ultimate hen party night in
• DIY cocktails
• Wine and cheese night
• Local attractions

The ultimate hen party night in

Does your bride love a night in? Well, personalise their ultimate hen party night in! From the food , the drinks to the games you play. Whether you want to keep it classy with some board games or want some tongue-in-cheek questions to get the group laughing.

DIY cocktails

Get each hen party guest to create a cocktail inspired by the happy couple. For example, if the couple met during their college days, you could create something inspired by their cheap, boozy days! If you DIY-it, you’re going to save a bit whilst having a more personal experience.

Wine and Cheese Night

Wine and cheese boards aren't just for restaurants you know - Create your very own at home for a significantly lower cost. You can even ask the bride what her favourite cheeses are to include in the wine and cheese hen party night. Get some good brie or nibble on some ricotta!

Local attractions

You don't have to stay in to have the best hen party ever, as you can venture out and keep costs low. Every location has eye-catching local attractions that you can explore, no matter where you are! This type of activity is perfect for the active, history-loving hen party.

Classy Hen Party Ideas

Not every bride-to-be and their hens want to wear sashes and hit the town; instead, they want a different, classy approach to suit their tastes. Here are some classy hen party ideas to ensure the bride has an elegant evening.

• Historical tour
• Wine tasting
• Gin tea party
• Country House

Historical tour

For a bride-to-be that is also a budding historian may prefer a classy historical and heritage tour. Historical tours vary from location to location obviously; however, all add a touch of class and fascinating facts to your hen party. See Medieval tours in Kilkenny

Wine tasting

Classy doesn't mean you have to ditch the alcohol altogether - you just need to add an elegant little twist. Wine tasting is a great activity for any connoisseur bride-to-be as you’ll get to sample some of the finest bottles there are.

Gin tea party

Afternoon tea is a popular choice for a hen party celebration, but if you really want to up your game, a gin-tea party is on another level! If the bride-to-be is a gin lover, this is the option you should choose! Combine the classy atmosphere of a tea party with some gin soaked fun!

Country House

Nothing says classy like feeling like royalty at a country house, lucky for you Ireland is full of them! Some brides may want a relaxing weekend in the countryside, chatting with friends and enjoying laidback hen party activities before the big day – we can make it happen.

Crafty Hen Party Ideas

For the bride-to-be who's leaning on the more crafty & creative side, you should organise an equally artistic hen party! We’ve compiled some of our best crafty hen party ideas that are not only fun but will also give the bride-to-be and her hens something to keep as a reminder of the day, a win-win!

• Pottery making
• Life-drawing class
• Sculpt a naked guy

Pottery making

Unleash your creativity and keep those hands steady with a pottery-making class. You and the rest of the hens can sit down and get to work (no recreating the scene from Ghost!) - Best part is, you come away with a keepsake and a memory of the occasion, if it stays together!

Life-drawing class

We've had two classy, crafty hen party ideas; now it's time for two cheeky crafting ideas. Start the hen party by practising your art skills by drawing a nude model. Certainly, an experience you won't easily forget and a great bit of fun!

Sculpt a naked guy

Continuing with the naughty crafts, you could take things up a notch and book in a sculpting a naked guy. It will be a fun activity, especially seeing what your fellow hens and bride-to-be can sculpt. Sculpting a naked model from a piece of clay is a great way to start the hen party.

Outdoorsy Hen Party Ideas

Some brides spend far more time in the great outdoors than they do inside the house, you should use this as inspiration and organise an outdoor friendly hen party. Need some inspo? We’ve got you covered.

• Glamping Hen Party
• Go-karting
• Paintballing
• Ski trip

Glamping Hen Party

Add a touch of elegance to an outdoorsy hen party with glamping! This combines the outdoors with comfort, making it suitable for everyone attending the hen party. You don’t need to be getting down and dirty if you want to experience the outdoors!

Go-karting

Speed around the track and unleash any tension by hosting a go-karting hen party event! This is certainly an adrenaline-pumping activity that would add a sense of competition to the day. If the bridge is F1 mad this is such a good option for you! Who knows, might have the next Max Verstappen in the hen party?

Paintballing

Paintballing is a popular choice for outdoorsy brides looking for something active and engaging to do at their hen party. If you’re feeling a little nervous, don’t worry, you’ll be covered head to toe in protective gear and it really is a great laugh!

Ski trip

For something cooler, put on your skis and opt for a ski trip for the hen party! A change of location is something the bride-to-be will appreciate. Plus, can you imagine the breathtaking views? Get the girls together and hit the slopes, savage fun!

Combined Hen and Stag Party Ideas

Combined hen and stag parties are becoming more and more popular! Getting different friendship groups together to celebrate this special event can be fun.

But it can come with some challenges – First off, what do you do with such an array of people? We have some combined hen and stag party ideas to get the ball rolling for you.

• Boat party
• Cottage Hire
• Inflatable waterpark

Boat party

Spice things up with a boat party! Cruise down the river in style, have a bevvy and get chatting. A joint stag and hen party on a boat is sure to break the ice and get everyone mingling, it’s a great way to get things started and set things up for the weekend!

Cottage hire

If drinking on the water isn't your idea of a fun time, why not bring everyone together at a cottage instead. Cosy up beside the fire, get some drinks in and organise some games – The world is your oyster with this option and the craic is sure to flow.

Inflatable waterpark

Get everyone moving with a stag and hen party at an inflatable waterpark. Race your friends around the course and see who is the fastest. Remember that programme Total Wipeout on the telly? It’s kind of like that, but probably more manic once you throw in the hen & stags!

Hen Party Ideas for Mixed Ages

If you’ve got a group with a mixed age, things can be pretty difficult to organise. Of course, you want everyone to have a memorable time so we have a range of hen party ideas to ensure everyone has fun, regardless of age.

• Cookery Class
• Bottomless brunch
• Mini cruise

Cookery class

If the bride and her entourage are foodies, a cookery class could be the right activity for your mixed-aged hen party. You’ll get to try some new recipes and sample your creations at the end. With a good mix of ages you should all be able to learn a thing or two from one another!

Bottomless brunch

Everyone loves a bottomless brunch – Why? Because everyone can enjoy! It’s a wonderful laugh and a great opportunity for everyone to get to know one another! A BB tends to be a popular option for older brides, as it gives a sophisticated air while still keeping the craic going!

Mini Cruise

Sometimes, you need to just pump the brakes a bit but keep the vibes high. Put your feet up and relax with a mini cruise that will make everyone unwind, regardless of their age or interests. Plus, depending on where you are, you might see a few notable attractions along the way.

Hen Party Ideas for Small Groups

Smaller hen groups can be a far more intimate affair, usually there’s a bit more of a focus on closer knit groups and encouraging chat. Here are a few hen party ideas for your smaller group.

• Jewellery making
• Chocolate making
• Photoshoot

Jewellery making

This is such a lovely, intimate and creative activity! One sweet touch with jewellery making is that you could create something for the bride to wear on her wedding day. Alternatively, you can all create a piece that reminds you of this special day.

Chocolate making

Who doesn't love chocolate? Spend the afternoon of the hen party learning how to make delicious chocolates from an experienced chocolatier in a chocolate-making class. After the stress of planning a wedding, now is a good time for a little treat!

Photoshoot

Strike a pose! A photoshoot is a great way to remember the hen party and with many photographers arranging props, themes and makeup, you are sure to have your very own Vogue moment and memories to last a lifetime.

Hen Party Ideas for Pregnant Brides

There may not be a steady flow of tequila for a pregnant hen, but that doesn't mean there isn't plenty of hen party ideas to make the bride feel special! There’s still soooo much you can see, do and create!

• Host a sex toy party
• Shopping
• Pyjama Party

Host a sex toy hen party

Hosting a sex toy hen party makes the day about the bride-to-be rather than the bundle of joy. It can be stressful for the bride-to-be with baby showers, preparing for a wedding, and the birth of a baby. A sex toy hen party focuses on the bride-to-be's fun - truly a day about the bride-to-be and her pleasure.

Shopping

The pregnant bride-to-be has more than likely spent a lot of time shopping for their new bundle of joy; so, why not flip this and treat the bride-to-be to a shopping trip! It’s a day entirely for them and who knows, it may be exactly what they need right now.

Pyjama Party

This depends on how far along the bride-to-be is - they might just want to unwind at their hen party and what better way than with a pyjama party! It's almost like stepping back in time, where it is just the bride-to-be and her friends chatting, reminiscing and talking about what the future holds.

We Hope Our Ultimate List Sparked Your Hen Party Ideas

If you’re looking to try and minimise the mountain of stress that comes with organising a hen party, you’re in the right spot.

HenParty.ie are the go-to hen party experts - We know how to have fun! Which is why we offer different hen party packages to ensure every bride has the hen party they want. It’s not about shoehorning you into a package that doesn’t fit you, it’s all about options. Whether you want to hit up the sunny southeast with our Waterford Hen Party Packages or want something a little bit different, like a Hen night in Belfast or a Hen Party in Athlone we've got something to suit everyone.

We offer packages that fit various budgets, interests, group sizes and tastes. We can arrange everything from accommodation and food to hen party activities and locations.

Let us use our nationwide contacts to ensure you have a memorable and effortless hen party. Email us for more information and a full breakdown of all our incredible hen party packages. If you prefer to talk, you can phone us on 051 390990.