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Plan a Slumber PartyIdeas and Activities for a Birthday Party SleepoverPlan a party and sleepover with the help of the birthday child. Following are tips including rules, snacks and activities.
Children don’t always remember every birthday party they ever went to, however, they never forget the slumber parties. There is something special and magical about partying in pajamas, staying up way past bedtime and giggling under the blankets. Age Appropriate SlumberMany children under the age of 7 are not ready for a slumber party and have never slept away from parents or grandparents. So slumber parties shouldn’t start until 7 or 8. (The exception would be two or three close friends or cousins who have been away from home overnight previously.)The general rule of thumb for birthday parties is limit the number of guests to the age of the birthday child. However, with slumber parties, it may be more appropriate to limit the guest list even further. Try to limit the guest lists to 10 children. Involve Birthday Child in PlanningChildren know their friends likes and dislikes and are therefore the best birthday party consultants. Planning includes invitations, decorations, activities, meals and snacks, and take home gifts or favors. The invitations should include a list of what to bring – pillow, sleeping bag, toiletries. Prepare to feed the children pre-meal snacks, a meal, late meal snack and breakfast. Consider healthy alternatives to junk food. Some healthy but yummy choices include trail mix, cheese and crackers, watermelon or oatmeal raisin cookies as a snack; homemade pizza or chili as a meal; apple pancakes or muffins and strawberries for breakfast. As some children are picky eaters, be sure to offer alternatives. Be Clear on RulesThe parent and birthday child should agree on party rules ahead of time. Rules may include which areas of the house are off-guard, instructions not to play practical jokes or tease other guests, restrictions on inappropriate music or movies, and quiet time in consideration of neighbors. Fun Slumber Party IdeasPicture time -- Take lots of photos. Consider leaving a few disposable cameras for the children to use. Develop them and send them with the thank you note. Also, take some home movies and show the party movie as a late night activity, suggests Penny Warner [Slumber Parties, 25 Fun-Filled Party Themes, Meadowbrook Press, 2000]. Consider printing some digital photos the next morning as a party favor. Slumber Shirt Design – Children can make their own sleep shirts. Buy plain t-shirts or sleep shirts that are extra large for sleeping. Wash ahead of time, so kids can wear them as soon as they’re done. Kids can use fabric paint to design whatever their hearts desire. Glow-in-the-dark paint would be especially fun for the sleepover. Movie Time – A movie is a great way to settle the kids down in preparation for sleep, but the movie should be rated G. If the birthday child insists on a PG movie, check with the guests’ parents to be sure they approve. Camping Out – Kids may really enjoy the adventure of camping out in the backyard. This should include a backyard bonfire with s’mores and ghost stories (not too scary). Make sure there are enough tents and that there is one parent willing to sleep in a separate tent outside with the children, especially if they are younger than 12. A large basement and some faux woods will also work if safety is an issue. Other Slumber Party Activities – Some activities that will keep the party moving include karaoke, board games, a scavenger hunt, makeovers, storytelling, jamming with musical instruments and sleeping bag races.
The copyright of the article Plan a Slumber Party in Kids Activities is owned by Claudia M. Lenart. Permission to republish Plan a Slumber Party in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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