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I’ve had many years of planning sleepovers of every size from my girls and their friends to my Girl Scout troops and our entire Service Unit. Once you’ve decided the number of guests, here are a few tips to make your guests feel extra special when they spend the night in your home and create memories for everyone that will last a lifetime!
ARE YOU READY FOR A SLEEPOVER?
It’s important to know whether your child and their guests are ready for a full night of sleepover excitement. If you’re not quite sure, maybe consider an un-slumber party! These are set-up exactly the same as any traditional sleepover including the teepees, pajamas, fun, games and snacks - but you set the time for parent pick-up late in the evening. This prevents the worry and heartache for any guests who may not be ready for the full sleepover experience.
SELECT YOUR THEME
Your celebration is unique and special! Use this opportunity to choose a theme that reflects the personality of the guest of honor. Setting the tone with an exciting theme can create the perfect atmosphere to make the best impression on your guests. Check out some of our amazing themes and if you don’t see something that’s a fit - let us know! We’re always excited to curate a custom theme for your celebration.
THE INVITATION
Once you’ve decided on your theme, choose an invitation that will set the tone and create a buzz in the weeks and days leading up to the celebration. Be sure to give the families enough notice to ensure all your guests can plan to attend. This is also a great time to communicate with parents to ensure that everything goes off without issue. Be sure to include your pick-up time and a list of what each guest should bring (e.g. toothbrush, pillow, etc.).
THE MENU
This part is easy - just keep it simple! Finger foods such as chicken nuggets, pizza, chips, pretzels, popcorn, and fruit are all great options. Keeping the sugar to a minimum will help to cut down on the inevitable sugar rush from the cake or desserts later. It’s also important to find out if any of your guests have food allergies or require any special menu options such as vegetarian, gluten-free, etc. to make sure each of your guests feel welcome. Setting up a designated food station can save time and headache by keeping everything easily accessible for your guests and allows them to get their own snacks when they’re hungry.
PREPARING YOUR SPACE
No matter the size of the celebration, we’ve found that small touches that really reflect the hosts’ personality are key in making the space inviting and comfortable for your guests. Setting up designated areas for gifts, snacks, etc. will ensure that your celebration flows smoothly. Consider putting away any keepsakes or breakables in your celebration space to prevent any unwanted incidents.
PLAN A FEW ACTIVITIES
It’s difficult to predict how children will behave at your sleepover, but some activities will certainly keep them from becoming bored. We suggest a list of simple activities for your guests to choose from - including party games, crafts, video games, and more. Having options for a wind-down activity, like a movie, is also helpful to get your guests to settle down in preparation for lights out.
Also, keep in mind that it’s easy for your child or their guests to get overwhelmed. Creating a special code word or phrase so your child can ask for help without calling attention to themselves or any of their guests creates an easy safety net to provide them support if they need it.
PARTY FAVORS
Show your guests how much you appreciate their attendance with a take-home token. Choose a favor that your guests will love, and won’t end up in the trash. Goody bags filled with sweets, stickers, etc. are always a great idea. If you want something more personal, you can choose favors such as our personalized sleeping masks, pillow cases or canvas bags.
THE DAY OF THE EVENT
Give yourself a little time before the big celebration. Once the celebration space has been cleared, it generally takes us 60-90 minutes to set up our teepees and decor. You can use this time to set up your food or snack station, welcome area, and any other final touches you might need to add before your doorbell starts ringing.
THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP OF ALL
Give them space. I’ve found over the years that most kids just want to play and have fun. Whether they’re telling stories, playing games, etc. it’s been my experience that kids will mostly entertain themselves and don’t need a laundry list of extra games and activities to keep the night full of fun.
The key to a successful sleepover is simply this - keep it simple. The theme has been chosen. The decor has been set. The teepees are amazing. The menu is set and your guests are nearly there. After a warm welcome for each of your guests - it's finally time for you to sit back, don't stress, and let the magic happen!
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