Tips for Planning a Successful Sleepover Party

Tips for Planning a Successful Sleepover Party

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.