Tips & Tricks to Make Sleepovers Sparkle

May 31, 2023

Movies. Board games. Hair play. Spending the night with your friends so that the fun never stops. These are what slumber parties are all about! Slumber parties allow for so much more playtime, and they make memories that last forever!

With summer break just around the corner, you may be anticipating a sleepover in your home. And although they are a great way for kids to bond, sleepovers can be a challenge for many parents. To help, we’ve come up with a short list of things for you to keep in mind.

Here’s how to ensure that your kiddo’s sleepover sparkles!

Choose Your Guests

Is your child ready to play with a group? If you’re not sure, start with a sleepover that’s one-on-one. Then, work up to a group of 3. If you can, invite friends who have been over for playdates before, so you’re familiar with their energy levels.

Select the Best Date

While a Saturday might seem like the best day to have a sleepover, consider hosting it on a Friday. This way, the kids will already be tired out from a day at school. Waking up on a Saturday morning might also be more forgiving for families with extracurricular activities they have scheduled on the weekends.

Gather Contact Info

Be sure to get phone numbers from every parent before they leave. That way, if anyone gets homesick, you can call their parents right away. You should also ask about allergies before meal planning, so you can prepare a delicious meal that everyone will love!

Get the Family Ready

Let all your household members know about the sleepover ahead of time. All grown-ups should have their hands on deck so that every step of the night runs smoothly. And remember to have something in place for younger siblings – invite them to “sleepover” in your room or organize a stay with another relative so they don’t feel left out!

Come Up with Activities

Some kids will be happy to play on their own, while some may benefit from a little structure. Talk to your kiddo about what they’d like to do and come up with a few activities to keep everyone engaged. Think crafts that the kids can take home, a popular movie, or a dancing video game!

Establish Ground Rules

Tell your kiddo what’s OK and what’s not before the party starts. For a larger group, consider writing these down into a kid-friendly list so that the kids can read them together. How to behave with pets, which rooms are off-limits, and when to go to sleep are a few things a parent might want to include.

Ready to host the slumber party of your dreams? Here’s what the parents of our little GG fans love most about their slumber parties!

“Our slumber party tradition is playing a board game and then watching a movie with some popcorn. We also put all the mattresses on the floor in one room for everyone to sleep together. Obviously pillow fights are always a part of the fun.”

@adi_and_jimmy_toys

“My kids love pretending to have sleepovers with their dolls. They love how fun the dolls are – the outfits are cute & sparkly, and all the accessories add to the sleepover excitement.”

@emilee.mitchel

“Sleepovers – a time for bonding, face masks, nail polish and PILLOW FIGHTS! When I grew up, we would have double slumber parties with my sister and her friends. There would be 10 plus of us crammed in our parents’ basement. We would watch and sing along to Grease, have epic dance parties, and wake up to my dad’s delicious Finnish pancakes! I can’t wait for my girls to have their first slumber party!”

@middleclassmamma

“Dancing, games, and an activity like making friendship bracelets are ways we like to celebrate a night with our besties. We put together a sweet and salty board full of popcorn and lots of yummy treats, and we set up a big fort and sleeping area. If your kids aren’t ready for a sleepover yet, you can always do a slumber party themed play date after dinner. Then invite your guests back for breakfast in the morning.”

@lululemonpants