Ask each parent if there is anything you should be aware of during the night. Bedwetting, lights on or off, nightmares or milk at night. Make sure you have parents’ contact details.

The Birthday Meal. The sleepover birthday meal is one of the most important things. And, with fewer kids than a full blown party, this is the time to go to town with table decorations and fancy food. Silly string is my latest discovery to break the ice – best to confine to one room.. Buy from any party store (in
yellow, green, red or and blue). Named place settings prevent any squabbles over who sits where partyark.co.uk has some fun place settings and table decorations.

Candy Floss or Chocolate Fountain Our candy floss machine or chocolate fountain comes out only at sleepovers. We have the Giles and Posner ones (both about £35).

Bedtime. The whole point of a sleepover is to spend the night
with their friends so take them upstairs much earlier than you expect them to go to sleep. When it is late enough, allow a bit more chatting, with you going in up to three times to tell them to quieten down; and then finally say you will stay outside the door until they go to sleep.

Plan the next morning. Pancakes or a cooked breakfast is a good option if they haven’t had much sleep. An easy indoor craft activity like Scratcherz stickers or LEGO, or decorate your own T-shirt are good options. Be precise about the time you want the children to be picked up.

Try to enjoy it. Pretend you are 7 and remember all the
excitement that goes with it! If you simply can’t face it, bring in
the experts and sit down with a glass of wine in the knowledge
that the kids are being entertained!

Sleepover Entertainment