We’ve all been to a slumber party or sleepover at least once in our lives and we know that the last thing anyone wanted to do was sleep. With that being said, if you’re throwing a slumber party for your child, you know that you need plenty of activities, games and other things to do to keep them entertained and out of trouble. But you need to be careful not to make it too much fun or you wont be able to get rid of the kids at the end of the party!
Planning any type of party can be extremely overwhelming and exhausting and we know that’s the last thing you want with your busy schedules. So, let us help you make lasting memories for you and your children along with their closest friends without all the stress! Follow our guide of ideas for the perfect slumber party that you won’t lose sleep over.
Slumber Party Ideas
As a parent you don’t tend to have much extra time, especially to plan a party. That’s why we created a list of ideas that won’t consume all your time and the money in your pockets.
Invitations
Who’s invited to your slumber party was a huge deal when I was younger and I’m sure it is still just as important. The best way to invite guests to your child’s slumber party is by sending invitations through the mail (p.s. we don’t recommend handing them out at school for obvious reasons) so we’ve given you a few different options you may like!
- If your slumber party has a specific theme, check out our large selection of invitations.
- Here is a link to a website that offers free slumber party printable invitations for a general themed slumber party
- If you are a parent that’s crafty and has some free time on their hands, here’s a website for you that you can follow along with to make your own DIY Pillow Invites
Decorations
Here are a few simple decoration ideas to enhance your party setup:
Balloons & Streamer Ceiling
This one requires limited supplies and will really give your “slumber party room” a welcoming feel and create a colorful atmosphere.
Materials
- Balloons
- Streamers
- Tape
- Blow up three 3 or 4 balloons and tape them to the center of the ceiling so it looks something like a flower.
- Now, you will tape streamers to the center of the ceiling where you taped the balloons.
- With one streamer at a time, you will then twist the streamer to get a fun effect.
- Once your done twisting the steamer use some tape to secure it to the edge of the ceiling by giving it a draping effect.
- Continue steps 3-5 as many times as you’d like until you get the look you’re happy with!
Glitter Balloons
Materials
- Clear Balloons
- Hi-Float
- Ribbon (optional)
- Glitter or shiny confetti
- Funnel
- Helium
This is another fun decoration project that will step up your balloon game and it’s super cute!
- You’re going to want to find a funnel of some type to insert the glitter or confetti into the balloon
- Once you do this, blow a small amount of air into the balloon
- Then, create a barrier between the glitter or confetti and the rest of the balloon
- This is where the Hi-Float comes in (Hi-Float is the secret weapon that will scatter the glitter throughout the balloon and keep the glitter from pooling at the bottom of the balloon.
- Continue to hold your fingers between the glitter or confetti and the rest of the balloon and insert the nozzle of Hi-Float and use sparingly.
- Massage the liquid on the inside of the balloon while your fingers are still in place
- Now comes the helium. Keep using your fingers as a barrier while you inflate the balloon with the helium. Once your balloons are filled they will be full of gorgeous glitter or confetti that your guests will love!
Tableware
- Cups
- Napkins
- Plates
- Centerpieces
Bed Themed Table Set up
This may be the only time children get away with “eating in their beds.” A bed themed table set up would fit in perfectly at your slumber party and you can make it as realistic as you like!
Materials
- Table cover or bed sheet
- Pillow
- Headboard (optional)
- Cups
- Napkins
- Plates
- Silverware
- Use sheet or table cover to drape over the table
- Find some pillows that you don’t use or ones you’re willing to risk
- The headboard is optional but if you choose to go this route you can use a foam board to cut out the shape you’d like
- Set up all your tableware
Food
What’s a slumber party without food? Nonexistent. Okay, that may be a little dramatic but keeping guests fed seems like a pretty important part of making your party a hit and keeping any kid happy. Below you’ll see a few different ideas we have listed to make your party a success.
Popcorn Bar
Materials
- Popcorn bags
- Popcorn
- Toppings
- Bowls
- Spoons
- Sauce toppings
- Fill bags full of popcorn ahead of time
- Set out different toppings in bowls such as (m&m’s, crushed cookies, sprinkles, squeeze caramel and chocolate)
- Put a spoon in each in bowl
- Allow children to top their popcorn with whatever they like using the spoons!
Cupcake Fondue
Materials
- Unwrapped plain mini cupcakes
- Muffin pan or bowls
- Frosting
- Sprinkles
- Candies
- Forks
- Fill a bowl or plate full of mini cupcakes
- You can use a muffin pan or small bowls for the frosting and toppings
- Put your favorite frostings, sprinkles, or candies into the pan or small bowls
- Have the kids use forks to pick up the cupcakes and dip them in whatever they like!
Waffle or Pancake Bar
Materials
- Waffles or Pancakes
- Bowls
- Toppings
- Silverware
- Plates
- Make some waffles or pancakes and set them out (if you’re using waffles we recommend cutting them up)
- Fill bowls with the kids favorite toppings (chocolate chips, fruit, sprinkles, whipped cream, syrup)
- Kids can take their waffles and top them using the spoons in the bowls and finish them off with syrup.
Activities/Games
While your child and their friends are at a slumber party, the goal is to keep them busy while having fun….mostly to wear them out so they aren’t up all night. There’s an huge list of games and activities that you can do at a slumber party so we narrowed it down to a list of 7 of things you could do!
Balloon Schedule
The last thing you want is your little party guests continuously asking you what you’re doing next so we have a great idea that will keep that from happening! (hopefully)
Materials
- Balloons
- Ribbon
- Marker
- Paper
- Write down games or activities you may be doing that night on pieces of small paper
- Insert the pieces of paper into the hole of the balloon (make sure you remember what activity you put in what balloon!)
- Inflate the balloons
- Write the time that activity will be taking place during the party
- When it reaches the time that’s written on the balloon, pick a guest to pop the balloon and have them read out the activity to the group
Decorate Your Own Sleep Mask
Let the children express themselves by designing their own sleep masks that they can use at night and take home!
Materials
- White sleep masks
- Fabric Markers
- Have the kids sit around a table with a sleep mask in front of each one
- Scatter fabric markers around the table
- Let the kids draw and design their own images on their sleep masks.
- Let the masks dry properly before they out them on
Kid Friendly Face Mask
Create a spa like feeling when you make this all natural face mask that will make them feel refreshed and relaxed!
Materials
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups
- Spoon to mix
- Honey
- ¼ cup oatmeal
- ½ cup yogurt
- Water
- Add 2 tbsp of hot water to oatmeal and cover for about ten minutes to soften the oatmeal
- Mix yogurt and honey to the oatmeal mixture
- Make sure the mixture is cool enough
- Apply the face mask to their skin or they can do it on their own
- After about 15 mins, have them rinse their faces off in the sink and pat dry with towel
Scavenger Hunt
This activity is great for working on their problem solving skills and using teamwork to reach a goal
Materials
- Computer
- Printer
- Printable Detective Hunt Clues
- Prizes
- Print out the Detective Hunt Clues and cut the clues out
- Hide the clues according to the cheat list on the second page of the printable
- Once the individual or group finishes the scavenger hunt, there will be a prize marking the end.
- You can make the prize snacks, toys, etc.
DIY Lip Gloss
Pamper and primp with these yummy scented homemade lip glosses that the girls will love using!
Materials
- Lip Balm Containers
- Coconut oil
- Vaseline
- Crystal Light drink mix or Kool Aid
- Wooden stirring sticks
- Take 1 tsp of coconut oil and 1 tsp of Vaseline in microwavable bowl (amount will depend on the size of container)
- Microwave until melted
- Pour a small amount of powdered drink mix into the melted oil (you can add more for a brighter color)
- Once dissolved, pour liquid into the Lip Balm containers and let them set
“Toss and talk” Ball
This is a great activity to get your party-goers familiar with each other and discover things about their friends that they may not know.
Materials
- Rubber ball or beach ball
- Sharpie
- Find a large rubber ball or beach ball at a local store
- Write questions on the ball with a sharpie and that’s it!
Ex. Favorite Store? Any Pets? Favorite subject in school?
DIY Glow Lanterns
These are super fun if you’re doing anything outside at night or for a bonfire! Recommended that a parent makes these to avoid any accidents.
Materials
- Small mason jars
- Transparent stone
- Glow sticks
- Glitter
- Shiny confetti
- Scissors
- Find any type of small jar and fill it was fun things like glitter, confetti or anything else you think that would look kill in the jars
- Take your glow sticks and carefully cut the end off (I recommend cutting them over the jar)
- Let all the liquid run out of the glow stick into the jar
- Replace the lid on the jar and secure tightly.
- You’re all set to light the path to wherever you may be going in the dark!
Party Favors/Goody Bags
The options are endless when it comes to goody bags or party favors for a slumber party! Here are just a few popular items that you could use for take home goody bag!
Fuzzy sock cupcake
This one is super simple and inexpensive and the kids will be sure to love it, along will the mothers! (who will most likely be contacting you on how to make it)
Materials
- Fuzzy socks
- Treat cup of cupcake holder
- Red sucker or any type of red circular candy
- Clear party favor bag
- Ribbon
- Make sure you remove the tags or metal clips on the socks
- Line one sock on top of the other but leave about ¼ inch for a more layered look
- Roll up the socks from the toes to ankle in a downward motion
- Place rolled up socks into the cup (you will need to pull the sock into shape)
- Place a red sucker or candy in the middle of the rolled socks
- Place cup in a clear party favor bag and tie it up with a ribbon
Thank yous
Thank your slumber party goers with a thank you card or note that shows them that you appreciated their stay! You can check out our themed thank you cards on the site or make your own.
Printable Thank You Tags
These Thank You tags are really simple and less expensive that sending cards to their homes!
Materials
- Printable Thank You tags (these can be found online)
- Card stock (whatever color you prefer)
- Hole Punch
- Ribbon
- Click the link to download the thank you tag template
- Size them however big or small you may want them
- Pick your favorite color card stock to print on
- Once you have them printed, this would be the best time to write a little personal note on the back
- Cut the tags out
-
Use a hole punch to create a circle near the pointed end
- String a ribbon through the hole and tie it to a goody bag or anything else you can think of
(P.S. If you don’t have printer you can always make your own using markers!)
Now that you’ve made it through our guide to plan the perfect slumber party, get out there and get creative! Thank you for checking out our blog and look out for more fun articles!
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