8 year old sleepover party

pollyanna24

My daughter has requested a sleep over for her birthday next month and I've agreed.

We are going to invite three of her schoolfriends and my youngest daughter has agreed to let them have her room (she has the biggest room in the house) as long as she can take part in the sleep over (she is 5, almost 6).

I'm fine with most of it, but just wanted people's opinions on a few things.

What time should I start the party? 4pm ish?

I want to do an activity with them (but can't decide what - baking, making something (again what? - I don't mind spending a bit on stuff that is needed, but don't want to get an entertainer or the sort).

Then I was going to give them a lateish dinner of pizza and nuggets and just let them do what kids do at sleepovers, i.e. I will let them be downstairs watching telly and then up to the bedroom where I imagine lots of giggling, talking and eating sweets will take place.

Should I impose a bedtime when all lights go off or just live with it for one night?

What kind of time should I ask parents to get their children the next day?

tea_lover

Maybe they could make the pizzas? That's usually pretty entertaining for a while.

indsty

At that age I used to impose a "lights off" "no more talking" at 10 past midnight. That made them feel it was really late, and usually they were asleep by then anyway. Making their own pizza and topping is a great idea. I'd invite for about 4.30.

Make sure you have a definite "end" time as well - or you may find yourself with extra children for longer than you planned !!

gonzo127

i wouldnt impose a bedtime as such, but probably a quieter time, in which they can choose a film to be put on, if you choose a late enough time, i have found that the children will actually fall asleep during the film.

as to entertainment,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Inkoos-Mini-Colour-N-Go-Frozen-Twin-Pack-/331788418694?hash=item4d40217e86:g:5mMAAOSwi0RX0KHw

could cover a little while and also be part of their party bags (if you are doing any)

otherwise baking and decorating cupcakes are always a hit with my daughter and friends and other arts and crafts things, they all love making things and art so that woul dbe the way i would go.

pick up time, hm 10-11 in the morning seems to be reasonable in my mind as they can always go home in their PJ's if they are up to late lol

anyways good luck lol

AylesburyDuck

My vote would be making no bake treats with rice krispies and cornflakes ect for eating after pizza.
While making pizza is a great idea it can often be extremely messy with all the different toppings (more children more food hates) and costly to boot.
Start time as late as you can possibly make it, you'll be glad of it when it comes to 10pm and you're tearing your hair out, and yes make sure parents know what time is pick up, maybe mention you have something planned after to avoid the late brigade with their various excuses.

BJV

My Daughter is 10 so I remember the younger sleep overs vividly. !!! I think a lot of what you do will depend on where you live and the children. We have a sleep over planned this weekend and not much will have changed.

You want to do something that is fun but not too expensive. We live by the beach and within walking distance of a really good park. If the weather is good a play on the beach / park is always a good way to get them tried. If not lots of games. My daughter had always liked a bit of freedom so we allow her to plunder the dressing room and dress up ( after hiding all the good stuff. Depending on what your daughter likes making things is always good, anything with glitter??? and it costs pennies. Then something to eat followed by the inevitable Disney feel good film.

I agree that I would arrange before the sleep over a collection time. Still have a nightmare of two children still with us @ 3pm the next day!!!

I also would let them have a little time to do what they want, as they will be planning this between themselves for days before.

What ever you go with enjoy and enjoy the glass of wine the day after, a small group of young ladies can be lots of fun but gosh very loud!!! ha ha

pollyanna24

Haha, I'm not sure I'm looking forward to it, I must admit.

I know what my two are "into," but I don't know if they are more childish or more grown up than other 5 and 7 year olds, if that makes sense. I don't want to have a craft activity in mind (still no idea what) or baking activity only for the other girls to think I'm treating them like "babies."

Me and the 5 year old make complicated stuff when baking, but it is just me and her there, so we can do more complicated stuff than when there will be a bunch of them around.

And the pizza idea is a no-no. The older girl whose birthday it is hates pizza.

I think I want to be told exactly what to go out and buy, haha, but for that I will have to pay for someone to come in and do the activity with them!

EDITED: Agree little girls can be very loud. Think I might have to give my dog to my mum and dad for the night!

pollyanna24

I think what I am thinking of is for the girls to make something that they can take home with them. Just not sure what. Like decorate a plate or something that will remind them of the party. Not sure if they do kits like this. Something to look into!

peachyprice

They do kits in Hobbycraft for painting bisque things, there a quite a few different things to choose from and they're reasonably priced. I'm sure I still have one under my bed from when DD was that age lol.

The paints aren't all that so you could invest in some more and some glitter and other adornments.

http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/advancedsearchresults.aspx?query=paint-your-own

(choose kids painting kits on the left had side)

jobbingmusician

Why not get them to make themselves basic shift dresses? Cost would be about £2.50 each if you got cheap material in the market and you could either have them all the same or get their parents to send a couple of yards of cheap fabric with them! (Saves you money and the girls get to choose their own fabric). If you make a pattern, it doesn't even have to have seams at the shoulders (which means it can't fall off if stitching is too loose or comes undone), side seams and hems can be hand sewn and they get a real 'thing' to take away (and possibly a dress to show they are part of a special club). And yes, they could sew on sequins as well if they do the basics quickly enough (and I bet none of them will have done this before!!!!)

fairy_lights

pollyanna24 wrote: »

I think what I am thinking of is for the girls to make something that they can take home with them. Just not sure what. Like decorate a plate or something that will remind them of the party. Not sure if they do kits like this. Something to look into!

I think you're maybe overcomplicating things a bit. Chances are they will be too excited and hyper to focus enough to do anything constructive.
I'd get some ready made fairy cakes and lots of different icing/topping/sprinkles so they can decorate them and maybe take a few home with them.
Other than that food, a few games, and a movie and they will keep themselves entertained.