How to Plan a Tween Sleepover

Planning a sleepover party for your finicky tweens may not be easy, especially if they want to make sure it's a "supercool" party. Make things a little easier on yourself by planning the party with your tweens, instead of for them, so they have a say in everything from the theme to the decor, as well as what type of activities to plan.

Instructions

    • 1

      Decide on the logistics with your tween. You need to discuss how many people you feel comfortable allowing him to have over and what type of theme he wants for the sleepover, which will make planning activities and entertainment easier. You should also discuss the time frame -- when the party should start and when his guests should be picked up the next day.

    • 2

      Send out invitations weeks in advance. The invitations should include the time, date, your home address and phone number. Include a note that parents should call you to address any concerns or to let you know about any food allergies or medications their child may need to take. Confirm each child's attendance at least 24 hours in advance.

    • 3

      Prepare food for the evening. Ordering pizza or pasta is one of the easiest ways to make sure the tweens are fed and satisfied during the sleepover party. You can also have them make their own pizzas as part of a sleepover activity. Offer plenty of snacks the tweens can grab throughout the night at their leisure, such as popcorn, pretzels, nuts and fresh fruit and vegetables.

    • 4

      Plan activities based around the theme. For example, if the theme is spa night, you could have the girls make homemade face masks with avocado, oatmeal and yogurt, paint each other's nails and have a "craziest hair" competition. For a boys army-themed sleepover, you could set up an obstacle course in the backyard, have a dodgeball war and a fort-building competition using cardboard boxes. Classic sleepover activities that work with any type of theme include a karaoke competition, a scavenger hunt and a talent show.

    • 5

      Choose an appropriate movie for when it's time to wind down. Putting on a movie as the tweens settle into their sleeping bags is the perfect way to end the evening and get the kids to sleep. Have at least two movies ready in case some make it through the first one. Try to pick tween-friendly movies that are somewhat related to the sleepover theme.

    • 6

      Prepare breakfast in advance. Prepping the night before makes serving the tweens a hearty breakfast before they head home relatively easy. Make an egg breakfast casserole by whisking eggs together in a baking dish with cheese, sausage or bacon and fresh herbs, and store it in the fridge overnight. The next day, all you have to do is put it in the oven to bake. You can make baked French toast in the same manner, putting the bread slices in a baking dish and pouring the egg mixture over it.

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