April 9, 2025
From promposals to the big dance, prom night is an unforgettable experience. However, some of the best memories happen after the dance is over. The best move is to plan something with your group of friends. While you’re brainstorming, check out this list of things to do after prom for inspiration. Whether you want to relax with a movie, hang out with friends under the stars, or laugh your way through a late-night adventure, there’s something here for everyone. These after prom ideas ideas are perfect for making the most of your prom night.
After Prom Ideas
Prom After Party
An after party is the most classic after prom activity. Whether a prom after party is hosted at someone’s house, a community center, or even a rented event space, it’s great to keep the party going after prom. Make sure there’s a plan for transportation and supervision if needed, and keep the focus on safe, inclusive fun. People going to the party will probably want to change out of their prom dresses and suits and get into something more comfortable.
Late-Night Diner
Heading to a 24-hour diner after prom is a classic tradition that never goes out of style. There’s something special about piling into a booth with friends in your fancy outfits, ordering milkshakes and pancakes at midnight, and reliving the night’s best moments. It’s low-key, inexpensive, and full of charm. Diners like waffle house are great because they’re some of the few places that are open after midnight
Have an After Prom Sleepover
An after-prom sleepover lets the fun stretch into the next day. Whether it’s a few friends or your whole friend group, staying up late talking, laughing, and sharing stories in comfy clothes is the perfect contrast to the formal prom setting. You can watch movies, play games, do facemasks, or just hang out. It’s a great way to slow down, soak it all in, and spend quality time together before graduation. Be sure to plan ahead for sleeping arrangements, snacks, and any needed parent permissions.
Go to an Arcade
Hit up an arcade to tap into your inner kid and let the friendly competition begin. From racing games and skee-ball to claw machines and air hockey, arcades offer something for everyone. They’re especially fun after prom because they let you swap formal dance floors for flashing lights and fast-paced action. You can compete for tickets and trade them in for goofy prizes, or just go wild with unlimited play passes. Look for arcades that stay open late, and bring some cash or a preloaded card for easy access to the games.
Bowling After Prom
Bowling is a classic group activity that’s low-pressure, high-fun, and open late in many places which is perfect for after prom. You don’t need to be a pro to have a good time; just put on those funny shoes and aim for the pins. Many bowling alleys offer cosmic or glow bowling at night, adding a party vibe to the experience. Consider backing a change of clothes if you don’t want to bowl in your formal attire (although that could be a look too!). Don’t forget to book lanes in advance, especially on prom night, when places might be busier than usual.
Share Baby Pictures
Gathering around to share baby pictures might sound silly at first, but it’s a hilarious and heartwarming way to reflect on how far everyone’s come. Ask everyone coming to send in their baby pictures in advance and put them together in a large slide show. You can either lump the pictures together by person, or have everyone at the party guess whose baby picture is on the screen. Prom highlights the end of high school, so it is very sentimental to go back and look through childhood photos with friends, making it a great after prom activity.
Minigolf
Minigolf is a great casual way to wind down after prom. The quirky themes, silly obstacles, and gentle competition make it an ideal group activity. Whether you’re sinking hole-in-ones or missing every shot, it’s more about the memories than the score. Many courses offer glow-in-the-dark options at night, adding an extra bit of flair. You’ll want to make sure that your minigolf course is open late at night!
Blanket Fort
Building a blanket fort after prom brings cozy childhood nostalgia into your big night. Gather all the pillows, blankets, and string lights you can find, and turn a living room or basement into a magical hangout space. It’s the perfect place to relax, snack, and share stories in a laid-back setting after hours of dancing. Plus, it’s budget-friendly and easy to personalize with music or movies playing inside. This activity is ideal for small groups looking for comfort and quiet bonding time after all the excitement. You can even incorporate the blanket fort into a sleepover with friends!
Late-Night Skating
If you have a skating rink nearby, going there after prom is a fun way to keep the fun going. Many skating rinks offer late-night sessions with music, lights, and a party atmosphere. It’s great for photo ops, goofy falls, and dancing on wheels. Plus, it gives everyone a chance to try something different while staying active. One thing to take into consideration is that people might be very tired after prom, and this is a tiring activity!
Bake-Off
If your friend group loves baking, consider hosting a bake-off after prom! This is a great way to have fun baking together and eating sweet treats at the end. You can even set themes, use mystery ingredients, or have judges vote on the best dish. You’ll need to make sure that someone has a good kitchen to host the bake-off!
PowerPoint Party
A PowerPoint party (sometimes referred to as “presentation party”) is a party where everyone gets together and gives presentations on various topics. You can either put together a presentation that is specific to the friend group like or just a random topic that you find interesting. All you need is a laptop, a screen, and some good-natured humor. Bonus points for silly transitions, over-the-top graphics, or audience voting.
Story Circle
A story circle is a chance to slow things down and connect through shared memories. Sit in a circle and take turns telling your favorite school stories, awkward moments, or things you’ve always wanted to say. It can be funny, meaningful, or even a little emotional. This activity is especially special near the end of senior year because it helps everyone reflect on how much they’ve grown and appreciate each other before heading off in different directions. As people share stories, you feel a lot of emotions, get to know each other better, and create a much stronger bond.
Friendship Bracelet Making
Making friendship bracelets after prom is a fun, creative way to slow things down and create something meaningful with your besties. Grab some colorful string, beads, and charms, and spend time crafting personalized bracelets for each other. You can make them for each other, or you can all decide to make matching bracelets. It’s a keepsake you’ll actually want to wear, and a sweet reminder of a night spent together.
Make a Time Capsule
Creating a time capsule with your friends is a unique way to freeze your prom memories in time. Each person can contribute something like photos, notes, mementos, and predictions about the future. You can decorate a box together, choose a spot to store it, and agree on when you’ll open it (like at your 10-year reunion).
Karaoke After Prom
Karaoke is a super fun thing to do after prom. After a night of dancing to music, you can sing some yourself! Set up a karaoke machine or use a karaoke app on a smart TV, and belt out your favorite songs with friends. Whether you’re channeling your inner pop star or goofing off with ridiculous song choices, it’s a guaranteed good time. Encourage group sing-alongs, duets, and silly performances for unforgettable memories.
After Prom Bonfire
A backyard bonfire is a cozy and chill way to unwind after the excitement of prom. Gather around the fire with friends, roast marshmallows, make s’mores, and share stories under the stars. Just make sure to have adult supervision or permission if needed, and check local fire safety rules ahead of time.
Backyard Outdoor Movie Night
Set up a projector in the backyard, lay out some blankets and lawn chairs, and you’ve got yourself a magical outdoor movie night. After hours of dancing and posing for photos, it’s nice to kick back with popcorn and a favorite film under the stars. You can pick a nostalgic movie that your group loves or go with something new and funny. Add string lights or fairy lights for extra ambiance.
Game Night
If your friend group bonded over playing games, then a game night is a great after prom activity. You can go old-school with board games like Uno, Monopoly, or charades, or keep it digital with party games like Jackbox or Mario Kart. It’s perfect for big groups or small hangouts, and you can mix in snacks, music, and fun challenges to keep the energy up. Game night works great after prom because it gives everyone a chance to relax and have fun.
Stargazing
End the night on a peaceful note by stargazing with your friends. Whether you’re lying in a backyard, stretched out at a local park, or even on a rooftop, looking up at the stars is a magical way to reflect on the night. It’s quiet, calming, and makes everything feel a little more meaningful. Bring blankets, a speaker for soft music, and maybe even a telescope or star app if you have one.
DIY Spa Night
After all the glitz and glam of prom, a DIY spa night just hits the spot. Think facemasks, foot soaks, nail painting, and soft music. It’s a fun bonding experience that also helps you recover from hours in heels and hairspray. You can customize it with homemade scrubs, scented candles, and even matching robes if you’re feeling extra.
Watch The Sunrise
Watching the sunrise with your friends after prom is a peaceful and unforgettable way to close out the night. Whether you’re at the beach, a park, or someone’s backyard, it’s a quiet moment to reflect on how special the night was. Bring blankets, coffee, and maybe some music to set the tone. You can either stay up all night to watch it, or take a short nap and set alarms to wake up on time.
Scrapbook Session
Wrap up your prom experience by starting a scrapbook session with your friends. It’s not just a hobby, it can also be a group activity. Print out photos from the night, gather ticket stubs, flower petals, or notes, and start putting together pages filled with memories. It’s a great mix of creativity and reflection, and you can keep adding to it over time. This activity turns prom night into something you can look back on years from now. Bring stickers, markers, scissors, glue sticks, and anything else you may need for scrapbooking.
Final Thoughts on Things to do After Prom
Prom night is one of the most special times in high school, and the fun doesn’t have to end when the music stops. Spending time with friends after prom is a great way to make even more memories. Whether you’re laughing over late-night pancakes, singing karaoke, or watching the sunrise together, these moments can be just as meaningful as the dance itself. The best after-prom activities are the ones that make you feel happy, connected, and thankful for the people around you.