Tips for Planning a Successful Sleepover Party

by Lindsay Hutton

Sleepover parties can be a blast, but the planning, potential homesickness, and a house full of rambunctious children can put stress on both the parents and kids. These tips for party planning and dealing with a homesick child will help ensure your child's next slumber party is a success.

Pre-plan
Sleepovers can range from well-orchestrated, themed parties, to spontaneous campouts in the backyard. For more extravagant affairs, you'll want to start planning four to six weeks in advance. This will give you time in your busy schedule to decide on a theme, gather decorations, make the guest list, mail the invitations, and plan the menu.

However involved or simple your party may be, the one essential ingredient is entertainment. Have plenty of activities planned to avoid any boredom. Movies, group games, and arts and crafts projects are all good to have on hand. Try to keep them simple and the supplies minimal to minimize cost and clean-up time.

Pick a number, and keep it small
The key to having a stress-free slumber party is to choose the number of children you feel comfortable having in your home, and stick with it. Too many children can get out of control and leave you feeling overwhelmed, so choose a number you feel you can handle. Then help your child make the guest list. Make sure to contact each guest's parents before the party to get a list of any food allergies, medications, and home and cell phone numbers in case of an emergency. As soon as your guests arrive, go over all house rules with them and make it known they are expected to follow them. Some rules might include what rooms are off limits (such as the master bedroom), limits on phone and computer use, permission for TV shows and channels, and any other rules that may apply to your household. Just remember, although the rules are expected to be followed, it is still a sleepover party. Let the kids have a little fun, and try not to become overbearing. After all, it's only for one night!

Dealing with homesickness
A child is much less likely to become homesick if she is distracted by lots of games and activities, so make sure you have plenty planned on the night of your child's sleepover. If homesickness is a genuine concern, make sure every child attending knows she can come to you if she is feeling anxious about being away from home. It's important for your guests to know they can wake you up at any time during the night if they are sick, lonely, scared, or homesick. Be sure to leave a light on so they can safely find their way to your bedroom. Establish emergency, middle-of-the-night pickup plans with each child's parent beforehand. That way, if a child is insistent about going home at 3 a.m., you know it is acceptable to call her parents to have one come pick her up.

With all the basics covered, it's time to start planning the specifics of your child's sleepover party. Use this sleepover guide for great arts and crafts ideas, kids' movies, games and activities, and yummy, kid-friendly recipes to make your slumber party a smashing success!