Summer is in full swing and, if you’re a parent, you know what that means — lots of sleepovers! Whether you have young children, tweens or teens, you’ll be seeing a lot of them and their friends until school starts back up. To keep the kiddos occupied (and preserve your sanity), you’ll need to keep them busy with fun activities. Plus, keeping younger kids busy during the day and early evening will wear them out, making them more likely to stay in their room all night instead of curling up next to you on your Tempur-Pedic.
Few things are more exciting for kids than sleepovers with their friends or cousins. To make sure your house is the go-to spot for hosting sleepover parties, keep ready to discover some fun sleepover activities for kids.
#1 Set the Scene with a Theme
Sure, your child and their guest(s) would have a good time hanging out in their normal bedroom, but why not take their next slumber party to the next level? Setting the scene with an awesome theme is an excellent way to kick the festivities off in the right way.
If you have tweens or teens, turn their sleepover into a fabulous glamping experience. Set up a large tent in your backyard and decorate it with twinkling fairy lights, pillows, soft, fluffy blankets and other glamorous decor. Try some yummy glamping recipes, and serve up refreshing alcohol-free mocktails. Shirley Temples are a classic, but there are plenty of other options too. If you are looking for a drink that’s perfect for glamping, learn how to make virgin s’more martinis.
Setting a few small tents up in your living room is a good alternative for kids who are too young to spend the night outdoors. It works for older kids, too, if sleeping in the backyard isn’t an option. Give each guest their own tent that’s just big enough for their sleeping bag, and use a light projector to create a starry night on the ceiling. Hang twinkling lights, too, to make the area a bit less scary for kids who aren’t big fans of the dark. You can even help your child and their guests make s’mores indoors with a mini cast iron hibachi grill. Just be sure to keep a close eye on them to avoid accidents.
#2 Have a Karaoke Competition
What’s more fun than rocking out to your favorite songs with your best friends? Karaoke is fun for kids of all ages, and setting up for a competition isn’t difficult. You can either set up a karaoke machine and print out the lyrics to the kids’ favorite songs, or keep things simple by using YouTube or a dedicated online service.
Keep the event enjoyable by coming up with a variety of titles to compete for rather than just having a single “Best Singer” award. Encourage kids to see who can finish an entire song without making any mistakes, who can sing the loudest, who can hit the highest note, etc. Your child and their guests will have a blast, and you’ll love hearing your home filled with music and laughter.
#3 Chow Down on Make-Your-Own Pizzas
If the kids are eating dinner at your house or you anticipate them needing something to munch on, have a make-your-own pizza night. Stock up on personal-size pizza crusts and a wide assortment of toppings like sauce, cheese, pepperoni, chicken, spinach, etc. Be sure to provide some non-dairy and vegetarian options. Make sure you have enough of each ingredient. Kids can eat way more than you anticipate. Check with younger kids’ parents to make sure they don’t have any dietary restrictions or allergies.
Kids of all ages enjoy spending time in the kitchen making personalized pizza. Plus, this activity means you won’t have to order a million different pizzas from a local restaurant to suit everyone’s tastes. You could even talk to the kids or their parents in advance to find out what their favorite toppings are.
#4 Set Up a Sundae Bar
Every meal needs a great dessert! Why not top the night off with another DIY food activity: a sundae bar. Just like making pizzas, everyone will enjoy crafting their own delicious sundaes. Make sure you have classic chocolate and vanilla ice cream on hand along with sugar-free and non-dairy options.
When it comes to toppings, the options are endless. M&Ms, crumbled Oreos, sprinkles, marshmallows, gummy bears and gumdrops are just a few of the many options. Don’t forget to stock up on a selection of yummy sauces to drizzle on top!
#5 Have a Spa Night
Treat the kids to a fun at-home spa night. Set up a nail painting station and tubs for the kiddos to soak their feet in. Make and use face masks (or pick some inexpensive ones up from the dollar store before the party). You could let them take turns taking baths with luxurious bubble bath too.
If you have room in your budget to do so, give the kids an extra-special spa experience by giving everyone their own bathrobe and slippers. A spa night sleepover is an experience they’ll never forget.
Conclusion
Why just have a regular sleepover when you can turn it into an event the kids will remember forever? Try the ideas above or get creative and come up with your own fun activities. Either way, everyone will have a blast. And when the kids are having a great time, you’ll be able to relax on your Purple Mattress in peace.
