Slumber party guide

Whether you're hosting a sleepover for your friends or your kids and their pals, there's something special about slumber parties! Late-night snacks, chats and movies...what's not to love? We've got tips and ideas so you can plan the slumber party of your dreams.

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Invitations

Start planning your slumber party by sending out an Evite invitation, like the Premium “PJs & Pancakes” invitation below, a Premium tent sleepover invitation or a free “Sleepover Soiree” invitation. Check out these other sleepover party designs for more options.

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Decorations

Elaborate decorations aren't a must, but space is! So push back the furniture and make way for the sleeping bags! Gather extra pillows so guests are comfy on the floor while watching movies or playing games. String lights around the room to create a cozy, relaxed vibe that's perfect for watching movies or telling spooky stories. If your sleepover is for kids, you can even leave the string lights on to double as a nightlight.

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Tips

Sleepovers can be a lot of work, especially if you're watching a lot of kids! If you want to ease some of the load off your plate, set the start time that cuts down on your to-do list. For an older child’s sleepover, starting at 8 PM means you don't have to worry about providing dinner for the kids. For younger kids, start earlier so that any kids who don't want to stay overnight can get picked up at bedtime.

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Make sure you have parents' phone numbers and know all guests' allergy or medication info. If guests haven't been to your home before, make sure you or your child (they're also hosting!) show everyone where they can put their sleeping bags and where the bathroom is, give them a towel and let them know that they can ask you to call their parents anytime if they need to.

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If the weather's warm and your guests are up for anything, consider having a campout in a tent in the backyard or back porch!

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Activities

When it comes to slumber parties, you snooze, you lose! Keep the kids busy until the wee hours with this tried-and-true list of sleepover to-dos:

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• Put on a movie (for young kids, preferably a comedy; for older kids, preferably a horror movie starring a drool-worthy heartthrob)
• Have a sleeping bag race, where kids have to wriggle across the floor in their bags to the finish line
• Make up a line dance to a hit song
• Put on a “news report” that you tape
• Have a pillow fight
• Decorate provided plain pillowcases with fabric markers
• Play board games
• Play charades
• Give each other makeovers
• Play “Truth or Dare”
• Ask the Ouija board whose crush will be reciprocated
• Tell ghost stories

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If you're planning a sleepover for adults, you can still do the above activities, but here are a few more to add to your list:

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• Have a spa night: manis, pedis, sheet masks are just some options.
• Have a movie or show marathon. This is perfect if everyone is in the mood for a very chill night.
• Make your own cocktails and enjoy them with snacks

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Food

Snacks are a must for any slumber party. If you do decide to do dinner, order a pizza or have the kids make mac ‘n’ cheese. When they pop the movie in, bring out the popcorn and theater candy faves like Milk Duds® and Junior Mints®. Later, let the kids make microwave s’mores or Rice Krispies Treats®, or pile scoops of ice cream in bowls and top them with whipped cream, chocolate syrup and a maraschino cherry to create super-duper sundaes. The above are completely applicable for adults (especially if you want to have a "throwback" kind of sleepover), but having cheese, crackers, and crudités are great options.

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Keep breakfast the following morning simple: you can't go wrong with donuts or a bagel bar. If you're going for a fancier breakfast, pancakes, French toast, and waffles with eggs and bacon are classic. Your guests (kids or adult) might want to help with the cooking as well!

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Drinks

For kids, have plenty of soda and juice on hand, but later on, whip up a pot of hot chocolate with a dollop of marshmallow crème on top for a sippable pre-slumber treat that's yummy for breakfast the next morning too!

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Hot Chocolate (serves 4)

• 8 cups milk
• 6 ounces chocolate chips
• Dash of salt

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Heat the milk and chocolate chips over medium-low heat in a large saucepan, stirring until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth and heated through. Add salt and serve.

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For adults, wine, cocktails and sparkling water are go-tos. And who says grown-ups wouldn't want some hot chocolate?

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