Hosting a sleepover?
It might feel like you’ve just signed up for a night of glitter, giggles, and very little sleep. But with the right sleepover ideas, it doesn’t have to end in exhaustion.
Whether it’s your kid’s first slumber party or just another weekend with sleeping bags on the floor, a bit of planning can go a long way.
Think easy wins, not over-the-top Pinterest fails.
Key Takeaways
- Planning a sleepover doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right mix of low-effort, high-fun sleepover ideas, you can create a night that feels special without exhausting yourself.
- Think beyond the snacks. Sleepover essentials like comfy pillows, cosy quilts, playlists, and plenty of room to sprawl out make all the difference.
- From pillow forts to TikTok dances, the real win is giving kids the space to connect, laugh, and crash in a room full of snacks, inside jokes, and maybe a glitter trail or two.
From movie marathons to DIY facials, we’ve pulled together ideas that actually work. The kind that keeps kids entertained, parents sane, and mattresses (mostly) on the floor where they started.
Here are real-deal suggestions to help you host a sleepover worth remembering.
1. Movie Marathon
A movie night is a classic for a reason.
Pick a theme, stack a few favourites, and let the kids take over the lounge. You could even turn a teen girl bedroom into a cosy cinema with pillows, doonas, and fairy lights.
Keep snacks simple (popcorn, lollies, maybe some sneaky fruit), and line up a calm film for last. It makes the wind-down easier and helps avoid post-midnight energy spikes no one asked for.
2. Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts are easy to set up and surprisingly fun for teens. You can go competitive or team-based, depending on the vibe. Hide stuff around the house, give them a checklist, and let the chaos begin.
To make it feel more grown-up, theme the hunt. Think skincare, song lyrics, or random selfie challenges. First to finish gets playlist control or the best seat for the next activity.
3. DIY Pizza Night
Let them play chef for the night. Set out pizza bases, sauces, and toppings, then let everyone build their own masterpiece. It’s hands-on, a bit messy, and always a crowd-pleaser.
This one always tops the list of fun things to do at a sleepover. Plus, dinner is sorted and everyone gets exactly what they want. Pineapple or no pineapple arguments optional.
4. Karaoke Night
You don’t need a machine. Just a screen, a speaker, and a YouTube tab full of lyric videos. Let them sing solo or in groups, and mix in a few unexpected songs to keep it fun.
Bonus points for silly props or themed rounds. Try early 2000s hits, viral songs, or dramatic ballads sung with full soap opera energy. The worse the singing, the better the memories.
5. Learn a TikTok Dance
It’s not a proper sleepover until someone says, “Wait, let’s film this.” Pick a trending routine, clear a bit of floor space, and let them teach each other the moves.
Whether it takes five tries or fifteen, it’s all about the laughs. And yes, someone will probably watch the video a hundred times before bed.
6. Bring Out the Board Games
Board games are perfect when the sugar crash kicks in and everyone needs a break from screens. Go with crowd-pleasers like UNO, What Do You Meme?, or even a good old game of charades.
Keep a few options ready and let the group pick. Some healthy competition, some loud laughs, and maybe one person who takes the rules a little too seriously. It’s all part of the fun.
7. Backyard Camp and S’mores
Turn the backyard into a campsite with quilts, sleeping bags, and fairy lights. It’s low effort but feels like a proper adventure with a few spooky stories.
This is one of those boys’ sleepover ideas that works for all ages. Add a DIY s’mores station using a small grill, and you’ve got the perfect mix of chill and chocolate.
8. Play ‘Would You Rather?’
Simple, silly, and weirdly addictive. All you need is a list of questions. Go for funny, gross, or totally random, and a group willing to play along.
It’s perfect for winding down or filling gaps between activities. Just be ready for the classic “Would you rather fight one horse-sized duck or a hundred duck-sized horses?” It always comes up.
9. Tie-Dye Shirts
A bit of colour, a lot of mess, and something cool to take home. Set up a tie-dye station with plain shirts, rubber bands, and fabric dye. Just make sure everyone wears something they don’t mind staining.
It’s creative, hands-on, and works great earlier in the night so shirts have time to dry. Bonus points if they all wear them to breakfast the next morning.
10. Try New Braids
If the vibe is low-key and chatty, bring out the hairbrushes. Braiding each other’s hair is calming, creative, and a great excuse to sit around and gossip.
Among all the girl sleepover ideas, this one doubles as both an activity and a bonding moment. Throw on a tutorial, try a fishtail or Dutch braid, and add some scrunchies for flair.
11. Spin the Bottle (With Nail Polish)
Once the braids are done, keep the pampering going. Grab a few nail polish colours, sit in a circle, and spin the bottle. Whoever it lands on has to paint a nail with whatever shade it’s pointing to.
It’s light, silly, and full of surprises. Think glitter on one hand, neon green on the other, and lots of laughs in between.
12. Create Your Own Escape Room
For a group that loves a challenge, turn part of the house into an escape room. Hide clues, make up puzzles, and set a timer. You can keep it simple with riddles and lockbox codes, or go all out with costumes and storylines.
Get creative with hiding spots. Stuff clues into drawers, behind books, or even inside the sofa bed storage. It adds just the right amount of surprise without needing a full room makeover.
13. Make Friendship Bracelets
This one’s a classic for a reason. Set out some thread, beads, and clips, then let everyone get making. It’s calming, easy to learn, and leaves everyone with something to take home.
You don’t need a fancy kit. A few colours of embroidery floss and a YouTube tutorial are more than enough to get started.
14. Build a Pillow Fort
Quilts, cushions, and a whole lot of imagination. Let the group turn the lounge room into the ultimate pillow fort, complete with fairy lights, snacks, and maybe even a movie playing inside.
It’s the kind of setup that makes staying up late feel like an adventure. Just be prepared to negotiate over who gets the comfiest corner.
15. Play ‘Truth or Dare’
An old favourite that never really gets old. Keep it light, funny, and friendly. Nothing too wild, just enough to get everyone giggling.
If the group’s stuck, write a few prompts ahead of time and toss them in a bowl. It helps avoid the “umm…” moments and keeps the game moving.
16. Look at the Stars
If the weather’s clear, head outside with quilts and pillows for a bit of stargazing. You can even use or recycle an old mattress topper as a comfy seating space.
It’s a quiet way to slow the night down. No telescope needed. Just a phone app, some fresh air, and a chat about the weirdness of space. Works every time.
17. Host a Tea Party
Go full Bridgerton for the night and set up a cosy tea party with mugs, mismatched teacups, and a few sweet treats. It’s simple, a little fancy, and surprisingly relaxing.
Offer herbal options like chamomile or night-time detox teas to help everyone wind down. Add some background music and a bit of gossip, and you’ve got the perfect pre-bed ritual.
18. Create a Scrapbook
Bring out the printed photos, stickers, washi tape, and let them craft a page (or three) of memories. It’s a quiet way to slow things down and reflect on the fun of the night.
No rules, just creativity. They can write messages to each other, doodle, or glue in anything from snack wrappers to inside jokes. It’s messy, meaningful, and something they’ll actually want to keep.
19. Film a Video or a Podcast
Let them be the stars for a night. They can record a Q&A, a fake talk show, or even a dramatic reading of text messages. No fancy gear needed. Just a phone and a little imagination.
If they’re ever stuck on what to do at a sleepover, this one gets them talking, laughing, and thinking outside the box. Bonus: it gives them something to watch or listen to the next day.
20. Rewrite a Song
Pick a popular song and change the lyrics to fit the sleepover. Inside jokes, snack disasters, someone snoring in the corner. It’s all fair game.
They can perform it later or just crack up reading it out loud. It’s creative, low-pressure, and guaranteed to get at least one person singing way too dramatically.
21. Play Charades (With a Twist)
Charades always hits, but adding a theme makes it even better. Try categories like viral trends, inside jokes, or even acting out people at school.
Split into teams or go free-for-all. The more dramatic the acting, the funnier it gets. Bonus if someone takes it way too seriously.
22. Cook Breakfast for Dinner
Who says pancakes are just for the morning? Set up a mini breakfast bar with eggs, toast, fruit, and toppings like choc chips or maple syrup.
It’s easy, comforting, and a great way to keep everyone full before the night winds down. Plus, there’s something fun about flipping pancakes in your pyjamas.
23. Make a Group Playlist
Music sets the mood. Let everyone add their favourite songs to one shared playlist. Slow jams, dance tracks, guilty pleasures. It all goes in.
It’s a simple way to bring the group together, and they’ll probably keep listening to it long after the sleepover is over.
24. Do a Science Experiment
Bring a little wow-factor into the night with an easy DIY experiment. Think baking soda volcanos, glow-in-the-dark slime, or making a lava lamp with oil and food colouring.
It’s messy, surprising, and a fun way to sneak a bit of learning into the mix. Just make sure the kitchen table is covered first.
25. Sleep
Time to pull out the sofa bed, rearrange the mattress toppers, and rescue a pillow or two from the fort. Sooner or later, the room gets quieter and someone dozes off mid-sentence. That’s your cue to slow things down.
A good night’s sleep doesn’t have to be perfect. But a supportive pillow and a comfy eye mask can make a big difference, especially when you’re trying to sleep through quiet giggles or someone whispering about cereal options at 2 a.m.
Whether it’s a full lights-out or just a soft landing into dreamland, this is the part that brings it all together. And with the right setup, they might even sleep in.