#1. Set a Date, Make a Guest List, and Set Times. If you are using a company like Sweet Dream Sleepovers, you may want to pick 2 possible dates as they tend to fill up quickly. When making the guest list, make sure to only invite the number of kids you are comfortable having sleeping in your home. Drop off and pick up times are a must! We have found parties usually work best if the kids arrive between 5pm-7pm, and picked up before 11am

#2. Themed Parties.  If Picking a theme can be a snap! There are tons of Slumber Party themes available and if you don’t see one that you like, Sweet Dream Sleepovers is happy to put together a custom theme just for You!

#3. Invitations. You can buy these, make these, create online invites, or send a group text message out to the guest list. Make sure you have a date set to RSVP and also send a reminder out to all of the parents a couple of days prior to the party. RSVP’s are tricky so don’t feel bad if you reach out to the invitees and ask a few days prior to the party to confirm if they are attending or not.

#4. Feeding the guests. You can go as simple as ordering pizza or you can create a DIY buffet. A taco bar is a great way to have kids create their own meals so that they will actually enjoy eating it! Sweets are a must at any party but you want to be mindful to not overload them and they stay up all night.

#5. Craft Planning. Crafts are great for sleepovers and can double as a take-away gift as well. Sleepover crafts such as DIY dream catchers, pillowcases and more are perfect to keep them busy and allows them to use their creativity.

#6. Plan for extra activities – Have a list of games and activities that the kids can do on their own. For boys you could have a nerf gun war or flashlight tag. For girls, you can mani-pedi’s, facials, play spin the nail polish or do blindfolded makeovers!

#7. Sleeping arrangements. Make sure you have lots of blankets and pillows available just in case someone forgets. Have plenty of sleeping spaces for the guests.

#8. The guests belongings. Believe me, it’s so hard the next morning when all the parents are arriving to try to find socks, toothbrushes, pillows, etc. If you can, have everyone collect all of their stuff while you make breakfast – then you can double-check while they eat.

#9. Take lots of pictures, and a group photo. You can use these to print out thank you cards for the guests; they will be thrilled to open up their cards!

#10. Have fun and go with the flow! Slumber Parties are one of the few times when you can be the “cool” mom. If you host a slumber party, your sleep deprivation and hard work will be well worth it in the end. Just be sure to allow for a long nap the day after the party.