Games for Sleepovers

Whether you're throwing a party for boys or girls, both are sure to enjoy… a good, old-fashioned pillow fight! Just dole out some pillows and let the kids have at it! Then, to help them settle down afterwards, give them copies of our All About Me booklets to fill out; have them take their booklets home as keepsakes that will be fun to look at again when they're older. You can also lead the kids in a few of the following sleepover activities and classic games for slumber parties:

Sleeopver Word Search
A great activity to keep guests busy until everyone arrives at the party.

Name That Tune
Young children and preteens alike will love this fun, musical game…

Telephone
Everyone will get a good laugh during this goofy game of changing phrases…

Ghost in the Graveyard
Your guests will love this late-night game of tag…

Scavenger Hunt
Create a custom scavenger hunt that all of your guests will enjoy…

"I'm Grateful…" Chairs Game
Try this fun variation of "musical" chairs that's perfect for older kids…

Wits and Consequences
Partygoers will have a blast with this question & answer game where everyone has a chance to win…

Beauty Stations
Set up beauty stations around the party area and pamper your guests at them.


Boy Sleepover Games
If you're throwing a boys-only party, try some of these ideas:

• Once it gets dark, let the boys play laser tag outside.
• Let the boys play indoor basketball using an indoor basketball hoop set, or let them play outside if you have a basketball hoop... and if it's still daylight out!
• Let the boys make their own mud desserts using crushed Oreos, whipped cream, gummy worms, hot fudge, chocolate ice cream, and/or any other "gross" ingredients. See who can make the most disgusting-looking snack!
• Have a bowling tournament inside with either a kids’ indoor bowling game or a homemade bowling set using empty two-liter soda bottles and a tennis ball.

Girl Sleepover Games

If you're throwing a girls-only party, try some of these ideas:

• Set up a beauty salon where the girls can give each other new hairstyles, pedicures and manicures. Stick with nail-filing, nail polishing, braiding, brushing, and hair ornamenting. To be safe, don't allow haircuts. To make things more interesting, give the girls dress-up clothes, wigs, and glasses, and be sure to take plenty of pictures!
• Print out copies of our Slumber Party Booklet for the girls to fill out during the party and take home as keepsakes that will be fun to re-read as they grow up.
• Help the girls make some baked treats, such as cookies and cupcakes!
• Let the girls make jewelry using a kit or a random assortment of beads and rolls of necklace leather or heavy thread.
• Make homemade soap, lip gloss or face masks with the girls.

Craft Corner

Tent Card & Placemat Craft
These will make great keepsakes for your guests…

Printable Slumber Party Coloring Page
Your guests will love decorating our printable Sleepover coloring page.

Other fun crafts may include homemade jewelry, hair fun and bead crafts.

Birthday in a Box has dozens more fun sleepover games and crafts.

Slumber Party Tips for Parents
Here are some general rules that parents should go over as soon as all of the guests have arrived:

• No leaving the house.
• Lights-Out will be at XX:XX O'clock. (10 p.m. is usually a good time for Lights-Out, but don't be surprised if the kids are too wound up to actually fall asleep!)
• No crank calls.
• No unsupervised cooking.

For a smoother party, consider implementing the following ideas, too:

1. Set up the sleeping bags in a starburst pattern with the openings pointed toward the center of the starburst. This assures that there won't be any fighting over who gets to sleep next to who.
2. Transition to bedtime with a calming activity. A good movie is usually the best choice.
3. If some guests are ready to go to sleep before others, put them in a guest room or an adjacent space where you can dim the lights.
4. Be certain you have a way to reach each child's parents in case a child who has never been to a sleepover before wants to go home. If possible, try to address your guest's fears before calling his or her parents; the solution may be as simple as plugging in a night light if the child is afraid of the dark. However, if you can't quell the child's fears, or if a child is sick, don't hesitate to call his or her parents.
5. If possible, call each child's parents before the party to discuss their child. Find out if there's anything you can do to ensure the children will feel safe and comfortable. Don't hesitate to take notes! They will be very useful if something does come up, and you won't have to stress about remembering what each child needs. If you need to talk to any of the parents when they drop their children off, be sure to pull them aside so as not to embarrass any of the children.

If you aren't up for a full-blown sleepover, or if you're concerned that the children are too young to stay away from home for a night, throw a "Sorta" sleepover party. This is the perfect solution for little ones too young to stay all night. Guests arrive in pajamas with their pillows at dinnertime, but leave by 11 P.M. Make ice cream sundaes, play games, and tell stories. Everyone can go home to sleep in their own beds, and you can still get a full night's rest!

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