How to Have a Tween Slumber Party

While kids in the tween years, between the ages of 8 and 14, might be thrilled about the idea of having a slumber party, sleepovers tend to give parents pause. Some parents are concerned about leaving their kid overnight at someone else's home, especially if they don't know the parents that well. As the host of a slumber party, you might be worried about having a group of hyperactive tweens on your hands at 2 a.m. Plan a party that encourages good behavior and puts other parents at ease.

Instructions

    • 1

      Limit the number of guests your tween invites. You might think about inviting all of the girls in the class, but remember that you'll then be responsible for supervising 13 or 15 girls all night. If it's your tween's first slumber party, invite five or six guests. If all goes well, you can try inviting more people for subsequent parties.

    • 2

      Talk to the parents when they RSVP. Ask if their kids have any food allergies or restrictions. You can also discuss concerns other parents might have, such as having their kids watch R-rated or PG-13 movies during the party. If any parents express concerns about movies, limit the viewing selection to PG or G-rated features.

    • 3

      Keep it short. Tweens might get tired of each other and start arguing or picking fights if the party goes on too long. Ask parents to drop their kids off around 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. and pick them up by 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. Set clear start and end times to ensure you don't have kids hanging around all day.

    • 4

      Choose a theme for the party to keep guests occupied. You can hold an arts and crafts slumber party and work on craft projects until bedtime, or a dance party, complete with dance contests. You can also hold a sundae party, during which guests build their own sundaes. Having a theme and chosen activities lets you supervise the guests without it seeming as though you're hovering.

    • 5

      Collect contact information from parents when they drop their kids off for the sleepover. You'll need to be able to reach parents in case a tween gets homesick and wants to go home early.

    • 6

      Set a bedtime for your tween and her guests. Turn the lights out in the slumber party area at midnight, for example, so that everyone at least gets some sleep. If you have the space, set up a separate sleeping room for guests who want to turn in earlier than the others.

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