| When organizing weekend activities for children, a | | | | kids always find outdoor sleepovers exciting. |
| slumber party is always a favorite for both girls and | | | | Campfire snacks like s'mores are a sure hit, and |
| boys. In order to avoid too much chaos or conflicting | | | | ghost stories will keep the guests entertained all |
| dates, planning ahead of time is a smart idea. | | | | evening long. |
| Depending on your patience, time and energy, you | | | | For large parties, the children's ages should direct how |
| can choose to host a smaller more intimate gathering | | | | you choose between indoor and outdoor games. |
| for your child, or a full-out sleepover including all of his | | | | Scary nighttime camp stories should be avoided with |
| or her friends. | | | | younger kids, while musical chairs will most likely bore |
| For the smaller get-together, planning is usually more | | | | older guests. Keeping games simple and props minimal |
| flexible when brainstorming slumber party ideas. With | | | | will also minimize the preparation time for parents. |
| smaller numbers, there is less mess and noise, so you | | | | If planning time is limited, simple craft activities are an |
| can choose from more activities that quickly become | | | | all-around crowd pleaser. As some art projects can |
| overwhelming with more than five guests. You may | | | | get messy and might require a number of different |
| decide to start with an afternoon of games, which | | | | materials, looking for easy crafts is essential, |
| can range from more classic party amusement such | | | | particularly for large groups. The company Colortime |
| as musical chairs, hot potato and limbo, to more | | | | Crafts & Markers offers just this solution with |
| modern or tech-oriented games. | | | | their custom tee shirts, pillowcases, tote bags, |
| Deciding on a theme for your slumber party can also | | | | backpacks and bandanas with different designs for |
| direct how you plan the evening. Activities, games | | | | kids to color how they like. All products are |
| and food can all be centered on fun theme ideas like | | | | inexpensive and the whole activity can be ordered as |
| your child's favorite celebrity, cartoon character or | | | | a simple package through their website. |
| foreign country. | | | | Activities like those found on Colortime's website |
| Timing may also affect which activities you prepare. | | | | have the extra bonus of doubling as party favors for |
| Depending on the weather, you may organize indoor | | | | the guests to take home. Personalized gifts are |
| or outdoor games. Sledding and making snowmen are | | | | always enjoyed more and for a longer time than |
| great entertainment for the winter months, although | | | | traditional favors that have little sentimental value. |
| you would have to remind parents to bring | | | | Regardless of how extensively you plan a slumber |
| appropriate dress in advance. A great refreshment | | | | party, the bottom line is that everyone has |
| accompaniment to these activities would be hot | | | | fun-including the parents. It is easy to go overboard |
| chocolate and sugar-on-snow. For summertime | | | | when organizing sleepovers, but with too many |
| sleepovers, outdoor options are less limited. Popular | | | | events scheduled in one night, both kids and adults |
| games for children of all ages include flashlight tag, | | | | get overwhelmed. It is usually appropriate to follow |
| capture the flag and hide and seek. | | | | the "less is more" approach, and after all, there is |
| A camp-out is also a great theme for both boys and | | | | always a next time when it comes to slumber party |
| girls' slumber party ideas. Even if the tents are set up | | | | ideas. |
| in the backyard just several feet from the house, | | | | |