We are having our first sleep over for our twin girl's 9th birthday. They picked out a movie theme for the invitations but that is as far as we have gotten on the planning. We are looking at 9 little girls staying from 5:30 pm to 10 am. I could use all the help and advice you can give me.
get sleep before hand and a lot of no doze and coffee. Try to have the patients of a saint and say sane! movies are going to get boring. Games and then maybe a story telling session.
feed them and give them space and a few movies to watch. At 9 Im sure they will want to do their own girly thing anyway. Just be there to assist when needed other than that just let them have fun.
I agree with Sarah. I'm sure they will find plenty to do on their own. Provide movies, pizza, and breakfast (pancakes / waffles / bagels, etc). And, last but not least, be ready for a long night of giggles.
Yep, just provide lots of food and get out of the way! :) Just had a great idea, include music and how about a spa night?? Try out new hairstyles, nails, face "treatments"?? Sounds like fun to me!
Don't plan on getting much sleep because they will be up giggling all night long. Have your daughters plan out the evening and food. I always use to do a big breakfast in the morning. What worked the best was having the kids get up, dressed, and get their things piled by the front door before having breakfast and playing in the morning. That way there wasn't any problem with missing stuff when their mom or dad came to pick them up.
Pizza
Snacks
Candy & cookies
Assortment of drinks
Dress up clothes
Stuff to draw with
Craft supplies
A couple of kid friendly movies but don't expect them to sit still & watch
the whole thing
Take pictures
Paint their nails (I don't think I'd turn them loose to do this on their own) :)
Great memories! I remember going to a few & had a blast! :)
Edit: Oh and have mini scones, mini muffins, english muffins, cereal and orange juice for the morning.
My daughter is 9.
When she was turning 8... we had a sleep over b-day party for her.
Only 4-5 other girls. Her best friends.
They slept in the living room.
Basically, at this age, they are really independent. My daughter and her friends are. We had also chosen a movie to watch... but basically what happened was:
- they did not watch it nor the entire movie. Why? Well they were too busy doing other things. They really kept themselves active and engaged and doing things and were very self-reliant.
- I had snacks and food for them, per what my daughter chose.
They ate and grazed all night.
- they often told me that they were fine... and "Mommy you don't have to watch us..." which was true. They are amusing themselves with girl things and doing fine. They all get along and I know the other girls Moms very well...and they basically free ranged in my home.
They did manicures, drew, played games, chatted a lot, and hung out.
And they went to bed late. As is common with sleep overs. The other Moms were fine with that.
So even if I had things planned and activities for them... they ultimately did their own thing.
But I did do hair feathers for them. Which I ordered from E-Bay.
And they also played outside in the yard.
Also a good tip is:
Have the guests, take a bath BEFORE coming over to your home. (You state this in the invitation).
Otherwise, you will have to deal with all those girls, taking a bath/shower in your home... and some Moms may not want that.
So, think about that.
Be prepared to know, that girls will be up all night chatting.
I also got night lights to place all over and flashlights for the kids... to use if they got up for the bathroom etc. or wanted a snack.
Which I told them they can help themselves.
My daughter and her friends are very self reliant.
I slept, not much. Kept my ears open all night just in case.
But I slept on a sofa in another room which is in earshot of where they slept. But I did not hover.
The girls fell asleep like around midnight.
And woke the next morning by 6:00am.
ALL perky and active as soon as they woke up. Then I woke up and made them breakfast.
Movies, makeovers, make pizzas.
Keep it simple, if you plan a bunch of things they won't stick to the plans anyway. They will just have fun playing and being LOUD:). Make sure you have a late night snack planned because just as they are ready to go to bed they will have worked up a good appetite again.
I always planned at least one craft idea.....making lip gloss or bath goodies made with baking soda, etc. Lots of ideas online. Try to keep them simple.....mom is usually the one that finishes the item. I usually stayed in the kitchen baking cookies or finishing up the craft items, cleaning up the mess or what ever. They will entertain themselves. If you know of an older girl, invite her over, this has always been a big hit with my daughter and her friends.
Oh how fun! I've not read other responses yet but please don't let anti sleepover people effect your idea.
I love the movie idea! Parents know ahead of time what will be shown. Make it a red carpet night (dress up with whatever you have, nothing special) for red carpet night.
Complete movie theme with movie goodies of popcorn, etc
Get sleep ahead of time so you are ready for an all nighter!!
If movie time is over or you need extra.... Mani/pedi's, make your own pizza, crafts from hobby lobby to take home, decorate your own cookie or cupcake, etc 9 is a bit young but ours loved the limo ride through busy parts of town!
Our daughter is 17 and we have wonderful sleepover memories!!! I still have a houseful of girls every weekend, love it!
Happy birthday!
