Slumber Party Ideas for Kids

Kids can choose an interesting theme for their slumber party.

Make your child's slumber party a memorable one by carefully planning all the aspects for the sleepover. Choose a theme and activities that all the children will enjoy based on their interests. Send the invitations and make sure that you have everything prepared so that everyone has a good time and to ensure the slumber party is one that the kids will talk about for days.

Invitations

Determine how many friends your child will invite so that you can prepare the invitations. Include all of the important details pertaining to the slumber party, such as the date and time of the party, your address, what time the kids should be picked up the next day and whether the kids need to bring anything. One of the most important things to remember when giving invitations is not to allow your child to distribute them in school in front other kids who may not be invited. This will avoid hurting anyone's feelings. Additionally, give the invitations a few weeks in advance to give your guests time to plan or decide if they can make it.

Food

You'll have to feed all the kids that will be sleeping over not only dinner but maybe even late-night snacks and breakfast the following day. Some food ideas are popcorn, pizza, ice cream, cake, brownies, cookies, trail mix, spaghetti, fish sticks and chicken tenders. For breakfast, consider serving pancakes or waffles, cereal, oatmeal, muffins, fruits and/or yogurt. Don't forget to serve refreshments such as water, juice and milk.

Themes

Keep kids busy throughout the night by inviting them to a slumber party with a theme. For an arts and crafts slumber party, designate a work area where kids can create crafts. For a camping party, kids can sleep in tents the back yard and tell scary stories, roast marshmallows and sip hot chocolate around a portable fire pit. If you prefer a movie-marathon slumber party, have kids watch their favorite movies all night, whether they be scary, funny or cartoons. For a kitchen slumber party, have kids cook their favorite dishes or whip up their favorite desserts. Choose kid-friendly recipes that aren't too difficult to follow.

Items to Pack

Remind kids to pack clothes for the next day, towels and if necessary, sleeping bags, pillows and blankets. They may also need toiletries, such as combs, hairbrushes, toothbrushes and soap. Some children might need to bring prescribed medication; you may have to monitor the times medicines have to be taken.

References

• PurpleTrail: Slumber Party Ideas
• Kids' Party Fun: Slumber Party
• Emily Post: Invitation Timing: When to Send Out the Invitations
• The Universal Packing List
• Chiff.com: Slumber Party Ideas for Kids & Teens

Resources

• FamilyFun.com: Slumber Parties
• Kaboose: Sleepover and Slumber Parties
• Kids-In-Mind: Movie Ratings That Actually Work
• EnchantedLearning.com: Crafts for Kids
• FamilyFun.com: Slumber Party Invitation