How to Have a Birthday Sleepover With Friends

Birthdays are the perfect time to celebrate with friends, and a sleepover party is a fun way to do just that. Sleepovers are a bit different from regular parties because your guests will be with you longer and you'll need to plan more activities. But, that just means more time for fun. Follow these tips to have a sleepover birthday party with friends.

Instructions

1. Decide on a theme. For example, you could host a sleepover with a luau theme, where guests wear leis and grass skirts, a camping theme where you set up tents and eat s'mores or a sports theme where everyone comes dressed as his or her favorite sports hero.

2. Send your invitations ahead of time. 2 to 3 weeks should be a sufficient timeframe to give your guests a chance to respond. Your invitation should give guests a clue about the party's theme and should let them know if any special dress is required.

3. Stock up on good food. Plan to have the usual munchies and cake, but be sure to include healthy options, such as fruits and veggies. Chips and ice cream are great, but after chowing down on junk food for awhile, chances are you and your friends will welcome another choice.

4. Plan your activities. Depending on your theme, you could stick with traditional party staples like pin the tail on the donkey and three-legged races, or you could switch things up. For example, if you're doing a pirate theme, try designing a treasure hunt for guests to look for buried treasure around your house. If you're having a scary movie themed birthday sleepover, stock up on enough movies to get you through what is sure to be a sleepless night.

5. Set up your home for the party. Designate areas for snacks, gifts and activities to keep things running smoothly when the party gets underway. Also, make sure your friends have enough room to spread out their sleeping bags comfortably.

6. Invest in favors. These little tokens, given to guests as they leave the next morning, can be a fun way to remind them of your birthday sleepover after they go home. Plus, it's nice to thank your friends for attending your birthday party.