Sleepover ideas: pajama birthday party invitation and a pair of pink pajamas

A classic sleepover or slumber party is always popular as a kids or tweens birthday party idea, but how can you make their next one even more amazing? By adding in a few unique and exciting sleepover ideas!

Discover the best ways to make any sleepover feel magical — from the essentials for any sleepover birthday party to the details and activities that take it to the next level.

Must-Have Sleepover Essentials

There are some items you’ll always want for a sleepover, and some that are just nice to have. As the host, make sure you have these items available for your guests:

  • Sleeping bags, beds, or another place to sleep comfortably

  • A space to sleep in — like your living room, a spare room, or a tent

  • Food and refreshments

  • Party games and activities

Once you have the essentials, you can start adding some fun activities and extras into the mix!

25 of the Best Sleepover Ideas

Ready to start planning an epic sleepover that they’ll remember for years? Here are all the fun things and party planning ideas for the best ever sleepover party.

1. Embrace a Theme

Pastel Dreams Card

Design: frau brandt

Adding a theme to your party is an easy way to make it feel even more special. Your birthday party theme could be anything — from a favorite color or era to a specific movie franchise or trend.

Here are some fun teen sleepover theme ideas to get you started:

  • Parisian

  • ‘90s nostalgia

  • Horror movie night

  • Rainbow

  • Gamer

  • Mermaid

  • Fantasy or fairytale

Once you have a theme, you can then select other elements to match — like your party invites. At Greenvelope, we have online invitations for any theme, including this adorable pretty in pink pajama party invitation.

2. Have a Movie Marathon

For a classic sleepover vibe, pull together a list of movie greats, Hollywood hits, or your guest of honor’s favorite picks for a movie night. Stick to one theme — like romcoms or scary movies — or let your guests choose what to watch.

3. Make Your Own Pizzas

Pizza is perfect for a sleepover, and one way you can make it budget-friendly and even more fun is by making your own pizzas. Make or buy pizza bases, pizza sauce, shredded cheese (or cheese alternatives), and plenty of toppings.

4. Order Takeout

Don’t want to spend ages in the kitchen? That’s okay too! Takeout is a wonderful alternative, especially if you’re hosting a themed night or want to keep things casual. Order food from your favorite cuisine, something to match the movie you’re watching, or from your most-loved local pizza or taco place.

5. Play Hide and Seek

Hide and seek is a fun sleepover idea for kids of all ages, but especially so for the younger ones. Set designated zones around the house or in your backyard and encourage people to go and hide while someone acts as the seeker.

6. Plan a Scavenger Hunt

Another finding game that’s always popular is a scavenger hunt. Prepare some clues and send your adventurers off to hunt down everything on the list, then return to you for a reward. Hand over a small gift or some sweet treats to anyone that takes part.

7. Host an At-Home Spa Experience

Get prepared with face masks, manicure sets, nail polish, and everything you need for a spa night at home. Create a relaxing space and encourage your guests to get cozy in their PJs while they enjoy a calm experience.

8. Make S’mores

S’mores are a sleepover staple, and they’re especially great if you’re having a sleepover in the great outdoors. Grab some crackers, marshmallows, and anything else you want, and settle down to toast s’mores and drink hot chocolate.

9. Watch the Stars

For a fun way to end the night, head outside to watch the stars. This slumber party idea is perfect if you’re having an outdoor party, or if you don’t mind wandering outside in your PJs late at night.

10. Have a Dance Party

Grab some glow sticks and invite everyone to get up and dance. A glow in the dark dance party is a great way to get everyone moving and dancing along to their favorite songs.

11. Make Friendship Bracelets

Friendship bracelets are popular once again, and making them is a lovely activity to do with close friends. Get prepared with plenty of beads and charms, and set up a bracelet making station where your guests can make their own and swap with friends.

12. Host an Escape Room

You don’t have to leave your home for an escape room experience. You can now buy a ready-made pack or create your own escape room at home with the help of printed materials and objects. This is a great party game idea for tweens and teens that love mystery.

13. Set Up an Ice Cream Bar

Another fun DIY experience is an ice cream bar. Set up a table with different ice cream flavors, whipped cream, sprinkles, and dessert sauce, and invite everyone to make their own ice cream sundaes.

14. Film a Video or Podcast

This sleepover idea is perfect for any TikTok-loving tweens. Encourage your guests to create their own short video, podcast, or stop-motion movie. It’s a great way to embrace creativity and tap into their interests.

15. Play Party Games

Some of the best sleepover games are truth or dare, charades, or would you rather. Card games, board games, and video games are all great options too — especially ones where you work together as a team.

16. Plan a Fashion Show

Do makeovers and raid the host’s closet to put on a fun fashion show for the night. Either ask everyone to bring a few pieces with them or have some items on hand that they can get creative with.

17. Have a Pillow Fight

Is it even a slumber party if you don’t have a pillow fight? Set up an epic blanket fort and give the guests plenty of pillows that they can have a fight with.

18. DIY Your Own Item

It’s always lovely to walk away from an event with something to remember it by. Get your party guests involved by customizing a T-shirt, pillowcase, or tote bag. Try tie-dye, fabric markers, or stick-on jewels.

19. Play Video Games

Sleepovers don’t have to be all about movies and spa nights — they can also be an opportunity to get together to play your favorite team games in person. Share turns on a console or your PC, or ask your guests to bring a handheld console with them.

20. Sing Karaoke

Karaoke is a popular party choice for kids, tweens, and teens, and it’s something you can recreate at home. Keep it simple with just your voices and an instrumental playlist, or set up a karaoke machine if you have one.

21. Make Your Own Song

If your party guests are musical, why not encourage them to create their own song? Ask them to write some lyrics and come up with a tune — they can even perform it for you if you have some instruments or music software handy.

22. Decorate Your Own Cupcakes

For a sweet way to relax, invite your guests to decorate cupcakes. Bake plenty of cupcakes or use store-bought ones, and lay out different icing types, colors, and flavors, along with some delicious toppings.

23. Have a Talent Contest

Everybody has a talent or two, and it’s always fun to see what they are. If your guests are more outgoing, put on a talent contest or show and give them a space to shine.

24. Snap Photos

Keep memories to look back on by encouraging your guests to take plenty of photos. Set up a DIY photo booth area with a backdrop, a camera, and some props.

25. Send Personalized Sleepover Invites

Slumber Squad Invitation

Design: Holly Whitcomb

One of our favorite sleepover ideas is to create excitement from the moment your sleepover guests receive the invite. Make this happen with personalized sleepover invitations from Greenvelope.

All our templates can be customized, so you can experiment with the layout, fonts, colors, and wording until it feels just right. Add your party details and a personal message, and you have a bespoke-feel invite at a much more affordable cost.

We have so many designs in our collection that there’s something for every moment — whether it’s a pretty in pink slumber party or a camping night under the stars. We love this minimalist sleepover party invitation and think the color palette makes it perfect for a retro vibe.

Create a Magical Moment with These Sleepover Ideas

There are endless party ideas out there, but we’ve brought together some of the very best sleepover activities and tips to help you plan an event that’s extra special.

When it’s time to tell everyone, use our sleepover invites to help you spread the word. With so many designs to choose from and the ability to customize them, you can create an invite that matches your guest of honor and their party perfectly.