Slumber Party Ideas

Themed Slumber Party Ideas

While many ten to sixteen year olds are capable of having a great time just chatting, when you get a group of more than three or four, it is a good idea to have themes built into the party. This way, you as the parent know what is going on and the kids will not get bored.

Themed parties do not have to be extravagant or expensive. In fact, you can spend relatively little money in order to host a fabulous slumber party.

Here are some inexpensive themed slumber party ideas:

• Movie Night—This works for both boys and girls. Boys may enjoy action packed or animal based movies, while girls will get a kick out of seeing their latest crush or favorite singer (such as Lindsay Lohan) in a starring role. Have plenty of pop, popcorn, and chocolate candies on hand.
• Ninja Night—Tween boys may love to dress up in plain white pajamas (buy cheap white shirts and pants on sale at a discount store) and watch movies like Karate Kid or Three Little Ninjas. Serve an array of “kid friendly” Chinese and Japanese foods.
• Makeover Parties—Girls of any age enjoy trying on makeup. Make it fun by picking up clearance eye shadows, lipsticks, and nail polishes. Have the girls draw names and make each other over. Take before and after photos with your digital camera, and print them off for the girls to take home in the morning.
• Indoor Campout—Both boys and girls will love to roast marshmallows in your fireplace and make s’mores. Rent a camp movie like RV or Camp Nowhere. Have kids tell scary stories before going to sleep.
• Food and Fun Party—If your tween or teen is interested in cooking or baking, plan activities surrounding meals. The kids can help you prepare supper and breakfast the next morning. Be sure to lay out utensils, ingredients, and several copies of the recipes before your child’s friends arrive. Single-serve entrees and desserts allow each child to participate fully. Younger kids may need closer supervision, but most teenagers may only need helpful hints. Send kids home with copies of the recipes they made that night.
• Game Night—Have a slumber party game tournament. Choose three board games and have the kids take turns playing each game with one another. For a bit more competitiveness, you could even bracket the games like the NCAA tournament (teen boys would get a kick out of this system). Serve food you find at stadiums, like hot dogs, pop, and nachos.

No matter what kind of themed slumber party you end up throwing, be sure your child is on board. Asking for his/her suggestions can make finding activities easier.

Birthday Slumber Parties

Having a birthday slumber party is one of the most frequently done parties. When a child turns 10, 12, 13, or 16 (the “big” birthdays), most parents will consent to letting their child have a big slumber party at one of the milestone birthdays.

A birthday slumber party is usually held the weekend after the child’s birthday during the school year, or even on the child’s birthday in the summer. Because this is a birthday party, more parents are willing to spend a little bit more money on the slumber party. Slumber party ideas for activities include:

• Bowling
• Miniature Golf
• Movies at a theatre (be sure other parents know which movie is chosen)
• Dinner out
• Paintball
• Ice skating
• Rollerblading
• Going to the beach

Because you are hosting the party, you should cover the cost of each child who attends. If you are doing something above and beyond the typical activities, like heading to an amusement park, let parents know you will cover the admission and the noon meal, but their children should bring money for souvenirs or extra snacks.

After you come home, have a decorated birthday cake and ice cream for the kids. Because you provided entertainment for most of the evening, it is best to let them sit up and chat or watch a quiet movie until they decide to go to bed.

The Morning After

Slumber parties do not end at the stroke of midnight. Be sure to have fun slumber party ideas for the morning when kids get up. Teenagers may need a wake-up call, while younger kids may hop out of bed on their own.

Have the kids make their own breakfasts, or take your teens out to a pastry and delicatessen for a morning brunch. A morning swim or brisk hike can keep the kids occupied before they have to leave. Make sure you have a list of who is getting picked up or dropped off, and what time that needs to happen.

Co-Ed Slumber Parties

If your teen’s slumber party ideas include inviting children of both sexes, they are not alone. A growing trend is to have boys and girls at parties. Whether or not you choose to do so is up to you.

Allowing a co-ed party means you need to be sure that you are home the entire time, even (or especially) if the children are older. Make sure your son or daughter knows to expect unannounced visits from you to check on how the party is going. Provide separate rooms for boys and girls to sleep in.

Most importantly, make sure all the children’s parents know that the slumber party is a co-ed one. Remind your child that not everyone will be able to attend, and that they should not feel badly if that is the case.