5 Great Slumber Party Ideas

Slumber parties are a rite of passage for many young children.  Many kids start having them when they are very young, around 5 and 6.  However, the best slumber parties usually occur when kids are around 10 and older.  A slumber party can be a big hit when you plan a certain theme for the kids to enjoy together.  Since slumber parties are generally for girls, it is best to have some slumber party ideas beforehand to make yours a success.  Many games do not require much in the way of supplies, and can be done with things found around the house.

Movie Night

A good way to get the kids to settle in for the night is to make it a movie night.  Rent, or gather up, a bunch of age-appropriate movies that everyone will likely agree on.  Try to have at least one or two of the most current and popular movies on hand to make sure that the night is a hit.  Next, break out the pillows and blankets.  Set up the stage for a long night of movie-watching by having everyone lay out their pillows and sleeping bags on the floor.  Dim the lights, turn up the volume, and get everyone in their PJ’s.

You can’t forget the snacks for movie night!  Bowls and bowls of popcorn are of course a must for any slumber party - but especially for a movie night.  Other snacks, such as pretzels, chips, dip, and candy can also be munched on.  Just be sure to check with everyone’s parents to make sure there are no allergy problems.  To make the living room feel like the movie theater, grab a bunch of movie-sized candy boxes at the store for each kid.  Be prepared, however, for a mess in the morning!

Game Night

Putting together a game night is always an easy way to make your child’s slumber party a big success.  In today’s technical world, game systems can keep kids occupied for hours.  If you have the latest video games, organize the most kid-friendly ones, make sure there are plenty of batteries in the controllers, and have the kids challenge one another on the games.  If you have a Nintendo Wii, the girls can play for hours on just a few games.  Make sure every kid gets a fair turn by using a timer set each time a new player gets the controller.

Game night can also be a success without the latest video game console.  Break out the old classics, such as Trouble, Sorry, Pictionary, Jenga, and Monopoly.  Break the girls into groups to challenge one another, or simply take turns playing.  The classics can be a great girl’s slumber party game for hours of fun!  For older kids, card games can be played until the wee hours of the night.  Even younger kids can play simple games such as War, and bet each other with candy!  For a smaller group of kids, computer games can also be a hit, and something to keep them busy for quite a while.

Dress Up Night

Girls of all ages love to play dress up, so what better game to play at a slumber party!  Younger kids will have a ball pulling out old dresses, skirts, high heels, and other assorted play-wear.  Pull out all the hats, scarves, shawls, belts, and other accessories that can help make up the perfect outfit.  While some are dressing up, others can be playing pretend with makeup.  Parents can supervise this part by painting up the girl’s faces to their liking. 

After everyone is dressed up, the slumber party can continue with a fashion show, a model runway, or even a picture shoot.  Parents, be sure there are batteries in the camera and start flashing away!  Your girls will pose and preen for the camera, and the giggling will be non-stop.

Craft Night

All kids love to do crafts.  To keep your slumber party fun for the girls, pull out all the craft supplies.  This doesn’t have to be difficult or intricate.  First, make sure there is enough working area for everyone.  If you have to, put down an old sheet for everyone to work on, in case of accidental drips and spills.  Then, bring out the art supplies.  These can include paints, finger-paints, modeling clay, play do, sand, glue, and crayons.  A wide variety of art supplies, along with lots and lots of blank paper, can keep a slumber party full of girls busy for hours.

Get creative by supplying fun things like glitter, feathers, beads, strings, pipe cleaners, and any other supplies you may have.  Art supplies can be found cheaply at most dollar stores and craft shops, so stock up for your next slumber party.  You can also find art supplies on the Internet, such as at www.cheapjoes.com.

Karaoke Night

Girls love to sing, especially when you get them into a big, giggling group.  With the success of the popular TV show American Idol, everyone is into singing for the camera nowadays.  If you have one, a karaoke machine can make a great slumber party idea for girls of every age.  You may also borrow one, or even rent one from some stores.  Stage a contest for the kids, and have each one takes turns singing a song.  Here is another time to make sure that you have the camera out, or even better, the camcorder.

If you do not have access to a karaoke machine, you can improvise online.  Go to YouTube and create a playlist of songs to sing to, or make one directly from your own music playlist.  Turn up the speakers and let the kids sing their hearts out!

There are many things that you can plan for your kid’s next slumber party that are fun, yet very inexpensive.  What you choose to do will more than likely depend on what your own child wants, and possibly the ages of the kids that will be involved.  Have fun!