Sleepover Birthday Supplies & Games
Sleepovers are popular ways to celebrate children's birthdays, but the thought of hosting lots of kids overnight can be daunting for parents. There are easy and fun ways to make the sleepover birthday a success, however, and it can be as simple or elaborate as you'd like. Does this Spark an idea?
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Planning Your Party
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Your sleepover party will look very different depending on the age and gender of the partygoers. Typically, sleepovers are gender-segregated, particularly at a younger age, so parties should be themed accordingly. All parties should be carefully supervised by a responsible adult (or several). Generally, sleepover birthday parties begin in the late afternoon or evening. Depending on the ages of the kids, icebreaker games or an activity that involves going out (such as going to a zoo, laser tagging or a water park) are good ideas for the first day's festivities. Typically, this culminates in dinner, followed my movies, karaoke, video games and other bonanzas until the wee hours of the morning. Before guests depart in the morning, there should be a brief cleanup and breakfast, which can be as elaborate or simple as you like. Try to give invitees enough information in the invitations so they will be prepared, and can leave at the appropriate time.
Themes
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A popular way to plan birthday parties is to create a theme. Kids' party themes can include aquariums or under the sea, beach, wild west, sports, safari, magic, farm, princesses, pirates, various historical periods or a particular movie or book currently popular with children. Décor and food can revolve flexibly around the theme, and games as well. Icebreakers can be in the form of games, activities or outings, and should set a fun and comfortable mood for each member of the party.
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Activities
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Do something fun and social, encouraging kids to get to know each other in this new setting. The activity could be loosely based on a party theme, but it does not have to be. For a smaller group or an aquarium party, take the gang of guests to an aquarium for an hour or two --- or just go to the aquarium, and don't bother theming the rest of the party. For a party about magic, visit a magic show or perform your own tricks. For a movie-themed party, invite children to come dressed in costume. Other group activities include laser tag, a picnic, paintballing (for older kids), the water park or swimming pool, horseback riding, miniature golf, or attending a sports events or concert.
Crafts
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Team up to do crafts such as bead kits, tie-dye T-shirts, wooden models, 3D puzzles, pottery, cooking a meal or baking a dessert. Even making ice cream sundaes can be a fun activity. If you have a friend who is skilled in something, have her come show the kids how to make or do something, and provide supplies. Not only will kids learn something new, but they'll also have a keepsake to take home.
Icebreaker Games
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One popular icebreaker game is to prepare pairs of paper, each with a matching word or half of a compound word. For example, one piece says "cow" the other says "boy." Prepare enough so each person has one half, then tape them to their backs or foreheads so they don't know their own, but can see others. Guests then have to figure out their own word and who they match with by asking other guests questions. Older kids can handle Taboo, bingo, Buzzwords, Apples to Apples or a variety of other traditional board or party games. Murder mystery scenario games can also be purchased, with full directions and tips to host a fun and creative party.
Scavenger Hunts
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A great party event or icebreaker is to randomly assign partners or larger teams and sending them out on a scavenger hunt. This is a wonderfully versatile game for a variety of ages and personalities and environments. It can be as simple as an Easter egg hunt, or as challenging as a neighborhood list in which teams are sent out with lists of random objects to obtain or observations to make (using a digital camera or video camera). Compile a list of obstacles for each team, and provide prizes in varying categories --- such as fastest or most complete list. Scavenger hunts can also be a series of riddles or clues leading to a surprise, such as another activity, food or a pinata.
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References
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