How to Plan a Sleepover Party

Sleepover parties are an excellent way for your child to bond with peers and learn diplomacy, event planning and responsibility for guests in their home. With these common sense dos and don’ts your child’s sleepover will be a big success, and who knows, you may learn some things about your child you didn’t know.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Theme for the sleep over
• Parental Information
• Emergency Information
• Great Snacks/Beverages
• Safe Environment
• Bed Clothes for All
• Simple Rules

1. Important Dos for planning the party.
   
   Plan your child's party at least two weeks in advance and keep the number of guest to about three, which will make four with your child.
   
   Meet or at least talk with the parents of each child and write down contact information.
   
   Be sure all parties know and understand the drop off and pick up times. Lay down the ground rules for behavior in advance.
   
   Make sure you have adequate space, towels, pillows and covers for the guest.
   
   Allow the kids to decide on a theme for the sleep over. Scrap booking, movie night, etc. make sure you check out any television shows or movies they may view in advance.
   
   Be sure your home is a safe environment for any child by removing all medications from the bathroom they will be using.
2. Important Dos during the party
   
   Make sure they know which bathroom to use as well as any off-limit areas such as outside, your room or the rooms of siblings.
   
   Have plenty of beverages, food and snacks. Lighten up on the good food angle, it’s only one night and it is a party.
   
   Depending on the age of the kids, keep a close check when they use the stove or oven. Do let them clean up after themselves.
   
   Let them have some privacy but let your presents be felt. You can expect some testing of the rules but stand your ground.
   
   Provide them with everything they might need to enjoy the stay at your home.
   
   Tell each one good night and leave on a night light. Do lock all doors and windows, yourself!
   
   See that each child has gathered his or her belongings before the pick up time arrives. Make sure the person of prior agreement picks up each child. Walk the child to the door and tell them you enjoyed having them in your home.
3. Important Don’ts
   
   Don’t make too many rules. Keep them simple and to the point.
   
   Don’t try to join in the sleep over and act like a kid. Remain the parent.
   
   Don’t show favoritism or question the kids about their family. Resist the urge to gossip with them.
   
   Don’t try to time everything out for the kids. Allow them to be somewhat spontaneous. However, encourage them to stick with the original theme for the sleep over.
   
   Don’t reprimand or scold one child in front of the others. However, if any child becomes belligerent or disruptive to the fun of others, don't hesitate to call their parents to come and get them.
   
   Don’t show signs of panic if an emergency should arise. Your panic or anxiety will make the kids more afraid. Stay calm and have a plan in place for just this sort of thing.
   
   Never use alcohol, drugs or foul language in front of any child. Nor should they be allowed to do it.
   
   Don’t plan to get much sleep yourself.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep all themes age appropriate and be sure all parents know about the theme and planned movies or other entertainment.
• Keep your cool about accidental spills of beverages or food.