Planning a Sleepover
#1. Set a Date, Make a Guest List, and Set Times. Make sure when setting a date, that it’s not over a school holiday where friends could be out of town, unless you have checked with the guests parents before hand. When making the guest list, make sure to only invite the number of kids you are comfortable having sleeping in your home. At the same time be mindful of possible feelings hurt if certain kids don’t get invited. Drop off and pick up times are a must! We have found parties usually go best if the kids come over right before dinner, and get picked up before noon so no one gets too tired and grumpy. Too much time together may lead to arguing and boredom.
#2. Themed Parties. If the sleepover is for a birthday party you probably already have a theme. A theme is also nice to have if you are the ‘planning’ type, as it does make is easier to keep activities and crafts that co-inside together.
#3. Invitations. You can buy these, make these, create online invites, or send a group text message out to the guest list. Make sure you have a date set to RSVP and also send a reminder out to all of the parents a couple of days prior to the party. RSVP’s are tricky so don’t feel bad if you reach out to the invitees and ask a few days prior to the party to confirm if they are attending or not.
#4. Feeding the guests. You can go as simple as ordering pizza and having beverages or you can create a DIY food bar of some sort. A taco bar is a great way to have kids create their own meals so that they will actually enjoy eating it! Sweets are a must at a party but you don’t want to overload them too much on sugar or they will never sleep. So be sure to have just the right amount of sweets for their dessert.
#5. Craft Planning. Crafts are great for sleepovers and can double as a take-away gift as well. Sleepover crafts such as DIY dream catchers, pillowcases and more are perfect to keep them busy for a bit of time and allows them to use their creativity.
#6. Plan for extra activities – Have a list of possible games and activities that the kids can do on their own. For boys you could have a nerf gun war, water gun fight, or play flashlight tag. For girls the possibilities are endless. You can mani-pedi’s, facials, play spin the nail polish, and do blindfolded makeovers for something fun!
#7. Sleeping arrangements. Make sure you have lots of blankets and pillows available just in case someone forgets. Have plenty of sleeping spaces for the guests. Chances are even if you think they are going to sleep in a certain area, you will have them sprawled out in various areas!
#8. The guests belongings. Believe me, it’s so hard the next morning when all the parents are arriving to try to find socks, toothbrushes, pillows, etc. If you can, have everyone collect all of their stuff while you make breakfast – then you can double-check while they eat.
#9. Take lots of pictures, and a group photo. You can use these to print out thank you cards for the guests; they will be thrilled to open up their cards!
#10. Have fun and go with the flow! Sleepovers are one of the few times when you can be the “cool” mom. If you host a slumber party, your sleep deprivation and hard work will be well worth it in the end. Just be sure to allow for a long nap the day after the party.