40 Fun Things to Do at a Sleepover, Since They'll Be Up All Night
Teens, tweens and kids won't know what boredom is with these great activities.
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Whether they're kids embarking on their first all-night outing or teens who are sleepover veterans, one thing remains clear: Actually sleeping is usually last on their sleepover priority list. And while the thought of filling all those hours for a bunch of excited-but-overtired guests may seem daunting, if you have some activities in your back pocket, you'll be all set.
These are some of the most fun things to do at a sleepover for kids of all ages. You can pull off many of them with things you already have in the house. There are DIY boredom busters that can be done with little set up, like dance contests or at-home karaoke. There are ideas to transform meals and snacks into time-filling activities, killing two birds with one stone. Some of these can be done outside if the weather is nice, while there are other indoor activities in case of rain or cold. Some are tried-and-true classics that you might remember from your own sleepover days (Ouija, anyone?), while others might be new to the whole group. Toss out a few ideas to get the ball rolling, and your guests can take it from there.
Create a Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts are endlessly versatile, and you can tailor them to the age, interests, and competitiveness of the crowd you're hosting. Kids can work together in a cooperative challenge, or race to see who can complete their hunt first to win a prize.
Have an At-Home "Drive"-In
It might be unrealistic to try and wrangle a gaggle of teens into the car, schlep them to a drive-in theater — if there is one nearby — and get them to stay through a double feature. But now you can bring the experience right to your own backyard. Pop some popcorn, set the sleeping bags and pillows outside, set up an outdoor projector and screen (a sheet or even a blank wall will do) and get ready for movies alfresco.
See the Good Housekeeping Institute's recommendations for best outdoor projectors »
DIY Pizza
It's an activity and a way to feed everyone all in one shot. The secret is in the handmade dough, which makes any pie taste delicious. Then, the sleepover guests can each choose their own toppings and make their creations their own.
Play Lawn Games
We're living in a Golden Age of lawn games, and the choices have never been more vast. Whether they're looking for a classic came like croquet or kubb, or something newer like Kan Jam or Flickin' Chicken, lawn games will get them outside, active, and tired out (so they might actually sleep).
See the Good Housekeeping Institute's recommendations for the best lawn games »
Try an At-Home Escape Room
Players have to work together to solve puzzles, break codes, analyze clues and finally solve the mystery to escape the room before time runs out. A lot of companies make one-and-done escape-room kits to be done as a group at home. If they have what it takes, they can try Exit: Kids (ages 5+), Exit: The Game (ages 10+), Escape the Room (ages 10+), Break In: Area 51 (ages 12+) or Escape Room: The Game (ages 16+), among others.
Cupcake Decorating
Any party — sleepover or no — can be improved with a DIY cupcake bar. Put out all their favorites, including frosting in different flavors, M&Ms, cherries, sprinkles, mini marshmallows and crushed-up candy bars. Then they can see how many toppings they can fit on one cupcake. (Pro-tip: Ice cream works, too.)
Test a New Board Game
There are board games out there for every age, from simple, cooperative games that encourage teamwork to casual party games that inspire a lot of laughs to sophisticated games with complicated rules that tests their sense of strategy. They can open a new game — or even a few! — and learn the rules together.
Get the Good Housekeeping Institute's recommendation for the best board games »
Play Glow-in-the-Dark Games
When the sun goes down, the games begin! You can organize a game of glow-in-the-dark Frisbee, Capture the Flag, Cosmic Kick the Can, LED Jenga — even sports equipment like footballs, basketballs, golf balls, pickleballs, soccer balls and volleyballs come with LED lights that'll keep them out after dark.
At-Home Karaoke
Whether they're into Taylor's eras or that old time rock 'n' roll, a round of karaoke gives everyone the chance to show off their favorite musical style. Everyone can choose their favorites, you can print out lyric sheets and all the guests can belt out the tunes. To up the ante, a karaoke machine can play songs through Bluetooth and amplify their voices with a microphone.
Watch a Scary Movie
Good news! Research shows that a little bit of fear — when presented in the right way — can actually be cathartic for kids. That means you don't have to stop them from turning on a scary movie when they think you won't notice. (If they scream, though, you should probably poke your head in.)
Find a list of Good Housekeeping's favorite scary movies for kids »
Play 'Would You Rather?'
Flight or invisibility? Always hot or always cold? The answers — and arguments — that arise from this-or-that games routinely get very silly. You can make up your own, or buy this card set, which has 200 pre-made prompts in different categories.
Make Ice Cream Floats
Start your sleepover off the right way, with the retro pleasure of an old-fashioned ice cream float. You can offer different syrup or ice cream flavor combos.
Film a Video
They can try out an internet-famous dance routine, perform a favorite song or demonstrate some other talent. Let them pick out their outfits, do their own hair and write the script or choreograph the moves themselves — you just be there to catch it on camera. Props like Sky Castle's Let's Glow Studio (which has glow-in-the-dark and light-up accessories) or RUKUSfx (which adds sounds and music) can help with special effects.
Bake Cookies
Just try to make sure you actually bake them before they get gobbled up (or make sure the dough is edible). The sweet aroma of baked goods will be in the background for the rest of the sleepover.
Do a Balloon-Pop Schedule
Want a dramatic way to reveal the next activity? Do a balloon-pop party! Write the activity on a piece of paper, stick it in a balloon, inflate it and write an hour on the outside in marker. When that hour arrives, stomp the balloon to see what's up next.
Get Creative With Face Paint
Take that sleepover makeover one step farther with a clever face-paint design, or be brave enough to let the kids try to do it themselves. As they get older, things like hair chalk or shiny temporary tattoos can add to the (thankfully not-permanent) glam.
Indoor Camping
Blanket forts, sleeping bags or indoor tents can bring that summer camp vibe inside, where you don't have to worry about mosquitoes or inclement weather.
Paper Plane Challenge
Anyone can make a paper plane — the true test is seeing who has the skills to throw the aircraft through one of the targets. Highest score wins!
Try Out a New Type of Braid
The cliché is that girls spend sleepovers braiding each other's hair and telling secrets. But no one says it has to be the normal, three-strand braid. Try fishtails, waterfall braids, corset braids and other hair creations.
Make Blacklight Bubbles
If you put highlighter ink into bubble soap, you'll make a concoction that glows under a black light, which is pretty much the most wholesome thing you can do under a black light.
Get the tutorial at Paging Supermom »
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