Slumber party for 6 year olds?

Question

My daughter's birthday is coming up and after her party, some of the girls will be staying for a slumber party. I'm not wanting more than 6 all together, I'll be on my own. I have never had a slumber party other than having her 2 boy cousins over night. So what are some good things to do with a bunch of 5/6 year olds? How would you set it up, just ask the parents to send them with sleeping bags? My daughter's grandma said she has a blow up mattress, and I might get one. I hate to put them on the floor, unless that is where they want to be. How do I keep them entertained for the rest of the night. This is new to me, when i was younger, I was a home body and never really had a slumber party. I don't want to have plans made for the whole night, I want to give my girl the opportunity to entertain her friends, with out me standing right over them. Any ideas on things we can do, anything would be great. Thanks

Also, most of the girls who would be coming I've never met their parents. Should I put a note in the invite, letting the parents know to call me if they have any questions or concerns?

Answer 1

Wow, 6 6 yr olds? you're so brave :)
Have games they like, maybe a short video that they'll enjoy.
W/ that young, you need to have a set time to get into their sleeping bags and settle down. You should prolly sleep in the same room w/ them, so prepare for that. Also prepare to be calling at least one parent at 10:00 PM b/c Suzie doesn't want to stay at a strange house!
Oh, and i think sleeping bags on the floor is fine. Set them up in the living room, or somewhere w/ a lot of room on the floor. Have a nightlight so it's not super-dark. I didn't like pitch black when I was little :)
Also, catch a nap that afternoon b/f!

Answer 2

I would suggest you having a plan and then allowing your daughter to stray away from it if she likes but if she runs out of ideas then she can go back to yours but that way she feels like she has some control too. As far as activities, I would have a movie and popcorn, a few games (something they can all play at the same time) like simon says or pin the tail on the donkey or something like that. You could do their nails but I would not if I were you cause they probably wont sit still long enough for it to dry and you dont want polish on your couch or carpet. Also you could have them put on a talent show.
I would include your phone number in the invitation so the parents know how to reach you and can call w/ any questions (also your address if you will be bringing the kids home w/ you from the party if its not at the house). Tell the parents to send sleeping bags (or blankets) and pillow and anything they may need to sleep w/ at night (like a fav blanket or doll) and having them on the floor is perfectly fine, kids don't care and I'm sure they will expect to sleep there anyway since its a slumber party. Have Fun and take LOTS of pics! Or record if you can!

Answer 3

Having done this for the last couple of years, here's my advice:

You can't invite some to stay, and not all. The girls who aren't staying will feel left out, and rightly so. So either cut down the total list or gamble that some of the girls will opt for a "faux sleepover".

Faux sleepover - set a time when the parents can come get their girls before bed. 9:30 worked well for us -the girls were in their jammies, toenails painted, getting ready to settle down when 2 moms showed up and took their girls home (ironically, one mom only took 1 twin, the other stayed). The girls who leave aren't ready for a sleepover, but don't want to miss the pre-bed fun.

Have some activities that the girls can safely do without a lot of supervision - beads is good because you can vacuum any mess. Fingernail polish requires mom's help...unless you don't like your carpet.

Have everything at your house - trying to drive 6 girls to destination is a set up for disaster.

They can sleep in their own sleeping bags on the floor (some parents might send air mattresses), and they love the feeling of being "alone" ie: you check on them quietly w/o them knowing it.

Set a bedtime for lights out - say 10 or 10:30 and stick to it. These are little girls, they do need their sleep.

Answer 4

Speaking as the mother of a 6 yr old myself (and also planning a sleepover, but for only 4 children) here is what I would want from someone if MY daughter was invited for a sleepover. I would want to know who, what, when, where, and why... let me elaborate a little. WHO will also be at this part... some parents have problems with certain things... WHAT is going to happen at this party, nail polish, make up, popcorn, all these things can pose a threat to someone that is allergic, or maybe a parent has a strict no makeup rule (too many young girls trying to become adults these days) so you will want to inform the parents of any activity you have planned that has to involve adults. WHEN. I would like to know when my child will be expected there and what time I should pick her up. If you have something to do the next day at 3, dont tell the parents to pick up the kids at 2:30, someone WILL be late. WHERE. I want to know where my daughter will be going (maybe you have a park within walking distance you want to go... thats fine, I just want to know about it. or maybe you think playing flashlight tag is cool, well if my daughter will be outside running around after dark, I want to know about it also!. WHY. thats pretty self explanitory, why are we having this party, a bday, a just because (mine will be a Halloween party) that just helps the parents understand (in this day and time) someone would want 6 young females at their house! As for some of those other answeres you recieved they all have some very good points... too many plans will make for a boring night but not enough plans will make for chaos. You'll want dinner, snacks, drinks, and phone numbers for the child who doesnt want to stay handy and ready for your use at any time. Make sure your daughter and the other children understand that there will be a specific bed time and let them know ahead of time (at least 5 minutes) before changing activities (that always helps the transition go smoothly) !

oh, and if you find anything that I didnt mention to come in handy, please pass on the information ;) I would love any advice an experianced parent has in this department!

Denita

Answer 5

Slumber parties are soooo much fun. I think you're right in not planning the whole night but having activities available to them. Let them play dress-up (any costumes or your old high heels they can play with, including make-up if that is okay with you). Have some yummy goodies for them to munch on and eat while watching some age-appropriate movies. Board games are fun too. Since they are six, they probably won't stay up that late. And I would probably leave a note for the parents to call you anytime and be willing to meet them at the door, introduce yourself, and tell them the plans for the evening and what time to pick them up in the morning (you don't want parents knocking at your door at 6:00 a.m. to pick up their child). Relax and enjoy watching your daughter have fun!

Answer 6

Whatever you have them do I'm sure will be fine. Crafts is good. Pizza and movie. Paint toe nails (clear or very light pink). Music...sing along kind of thing. Name and phone number in invite is a "must" if you want your daughter to have anyone over that is. Sleeping bags would be great. Kids love this sort of thing, they don't mind it at all. You might want to contact the parents to see if any of the girls need to use PULLUPS at night time. Save yourself and the child some embarrasement.

Final note: save the movie for around the time you want them to drift off to sleep.

Answer 7

6 yr old are kinda young for a sleepover but...

i would take them out for dinner at like a pizza place or chucky cheese, or somewhere like that. then bring them home and set up a movie. Definately invite the other girls' parents over to help them set up there sleeping bags, and talk to you. Maybe you want to call a teen as sorta like a babysitter, but just as her to play with the girls for a few hours, for a couple dollars. im sure they'll have a great time

*chances are, since these girls are onlt 5/6, they will get homesick and will want to see there mommies. that is an issue you might want to adress

Answer 8

it's a good idea to let the parents know your number and everything.

from what i can recall.. slumber parties are just a bunch of girls laughing- gigling- playing around.

they will probably want to be on the floor... although i dont think it matters if theres a mattress or not... a bunch of blankets and pillows plus popcorn and good movie should do.

i know some girls like to have their hair played with.. and stuff like that. Maybe you can paint toe nails or something like that.

good luck handling all those young ladies.

Answer 9

I would suggest asking your daughter if she wants you to plan games or if she wants you to let them play on their own. Lots of times they'll be perfectly happy playing with their dolls or play make up or whatever other toys they're into, maybe she wants to watch a movie. As for the parents of the other children, I would definitely suggest sending them a note or calling them personally, it would help them feel safer about sending their child to your house over night.

Answer 10

Plan a few things, but don't be too strict on the timing. Let them play and entertain themselves. My guess is that if you put in a movie and have them lay down and watch it around 10, they'll be asleep by 10:30