How to Plan a Teen Sleepover

Some planning - and some rules - will help everyone sleep a
little easier.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Invitations
• CD Players
• VCRs
• Breakfast Food
• Candies
• Snack Foods
• Soft Drinks
• CDs
• Games
• Movie Videos

1. Sit down with your teen and decide how many kids to invite. Consider the size of your living room (or whichever room the teens will sleep in), how light a sleeper you are, and any other specifics of your house that affect how many teens can fit in your house.

2. Send out invitations a week ahead of time, or pass the word by phone. Ask guests to RSVP. Make it clear that the party will be supervised, with an adult present for all of the activities.

3. Ask everyone to bring a sleeping bag and pillow.

4. Have at least three or four age-appropriate videos for the kids to watch, and make the sleepover spot convenient to the TV and VCR if possible.

5. Be prepared in case the kids want to bake cookies, go swimming or play games.

6. Stock up on snacks and beverages. If you have concerns about spills on your carpet or furniture, limit eating to the kitchen.

7. Don't forget to lay in supplies for breakfast. Bagels and orange juice are fine, or you can get more elaborate.

8. When the kids arrive, spell out the rules from the start. Discuss what rooms the kids can use and when they can make noise, and set limits on phone and kitchen use. If you don't want them to leave the house for any reason, tell them up front. If you're not sure your teen will be comfortable laying out the ground rules, take the responsibility yourself.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't want the teens going off on their own in the middle of the night or if you don't want any members of the opposite sex showing up during the night, make those rules very clear at the beginning.

[kelbell429]

on 12/29/2006 Don't refuse to anything at Truth or Dare like kiss your brother or eat horseraddish. It will be boring if you do! Have fun! :)

[goldeneye9411]

on 12/26/2006 Always have pleanty of snacks on hand for a guy's sleepover. I know that guy's eat a lot and if they aren't full than they tend to be more cranky.

[goldeneye9411]

on 12/26/2006 If you are having a guy sleepover of more than 2 or 3 than always keep a lot of food on hand. I know from my personal experience that guests get hungry if they didnt have enough to eat and some get kinda cranky at times.

on 8/24/2006 Always have at least 3 good (appropriate) movies on hand, as sleepovers can get boring. If your guests get antsy, just put a movie on, and if people drop off - great! If they don't - great! It's all about having fun. Don't let it get lame.

And always supply snacks too, because some kids get hungry, or thirsty, and can be too embarrassed to ask. Check at regular intervals to see if anyone needs anything.

on 8/8/2006 Parents, if you wanna have a really good sleepover, then don't embarrass your kids. Just kinda stay away from the kids, unless they are doing something bad, but if you are getting mad at them, don't act like a teacher. For younger kids, get them to bed a bit earlier, but if they are older (like 11-13) don't nag at them to go to sleep, because they probable wont! All you have to say is be a bit quieter if they are being loud. If you can, try to get the kids to sleep on the opposite side of the house (if your families rooms are on the top floor, then get the kids to sleep in the basement if possible- that way you wont be annoyed by all the gossiping). Maybe a week before the sleepover, go to the library and get a book about sleepovers! They have plenty of games, party themes and things to make, instead of having to come up with it all yourself!
Well thats my way to have a fun sleepover! =)