5 Ways to Plan a Sleepover

Before firming up any plans for a sleepover party with a child or teen, set a limit for the number of children invited to sleep over. Limiting the number of kids will make the party easier to handle and will keep down the costs of the sleepover. Remember that some guests may be able to attend the party but will not be allowed to stay for the sleepover due to curfews, family rules or early morning family obligations. On the invitations for any sleepover party request that guests bring a pillow, a sleeping bag, pajamas and slippers. Include any details about when kids should be picked up the next day.

Movie Night

Plan a movie night sleepover party for kids of any age. Make your own movie ticket slumber party invitations to mail. Rent two or three age-appropriate movies for the kids to watch. Make popcorn with an air popper and set out bowls, butter spray and popcorn seasonings. Serve low-sugar drinks without caffeine to keep the kids from becoming too rambunctious. Set out movie trivia games for party guests or play a game of six degrees of separation with their favorite movie stars.

Makeover Night

Host a makeover night sleepover for tweens or teens. Purchase bottles of inexpensive nail polish and include a small invitation written on a homemade appointment card. Tie the invitation to the bottle with a hair ribbon. Ask each guest to bring along their favorite nail polish or face mask. Provide sleepover guests with trial-size mud masks, facial scrubs and headbands and bathroom access. Have the guests give each other manicures and pedicures. Help the guests with new hair styles and hair accessories. Favor bags can include inexpensive nail files or manicure sets.

Hotel Party

Splurge on a milestone birthday with a sleepover at a local hotel or inn with a pool. Limit the number of guests to four or six, depending on the prices and availability at the hotel. Make reservations at the hotel restaurant or a quality restaurant in the area. Call ahead if you need a birthday cake served at the dinner.
Decorate the hotel room with balloons and favor bags for the guests. Enjoy the hotel amenities including a pool, a jacuzzi, gift shop, game room or outdoor recreation on the grounds. Use room service or order breakfast in bed for the guests. Leave the clean up for the hotel.

Dance Party

Create invitations on a page from an old song book or blank sheet music (see Resources). Ask guests to bring along their own favorite music or to send in their music requests before the party. Download songs or compile dance lists from borrowed CDs before the party. Clear out a room for the dancing. Add strobe lights or holiday lights as decorations. Demonstrate different dance steps the guests can learn (see Resources).

Creative Nights

Have a creative nights sleepover party. All activities and food served will be created by the partygoers. Require kids to wash their hands before helping with the party foods. Have the fixings for individual pizzas, nachos or fondue and have kids assemble them. Decorate cookies or cupcakes for a sweet dessert. Activities can include finger panting for small children, collages for school children, and modeling clay for middle schoolers. Tweens and teens can paint their own mugs or pottery to take home from the party.