Skip to main content
Skip to main content
All Party Ideas
🛏️

Slumber Party Birthday Party Ideas

Cozy pajama party vibes. Complete planning guide with 8 activities, 8 menu ideas, decorations, and a full shopping list.

Ages 6-16
$53-178
2-3 hour party
23+ ideas
Create Your Slumber Party Party Plan

Planning a Slumber Party Birthday Party

A slumber party birthday party is perfect for kids ages 6-16. Average cost: $53-178 for 10-15 guests. Classic themes are crowd-pleasers because every kid already knows the games. Below: 8 activities, 8 menu ideas, decorations, and a full shopping list with real prices.

Entertainment-themed parties generate 2x more shared social media content than decoration-heavy themes — because they create shareable moments, not just shareable backdrops. 🛏️ A Slumber Party party is designed to be experienced, not just seen.

Curated by Baljeet Aulakh, Party Genius | Last updated: February 2026

Best Age Range
6-16 years
Party Duration
2-3 hours
Budget Range
$53-178
Total Ideas
23+

🛏️ Why Choose a Slumber Party Party?

A Slumber Party party is a show, and every kid gets to be the star. Ages 6-16 crave that social energy — the laughing, performing, and shared experiences that make a cozy celebration feel genuinely special.

Slumber Party Party Ideas by Age Group

Slumber Party Party for Kids (Ages 6-8)

This age group loves team games and competitions. Try Glam Squad Central and themed relay races. Kids can handle 5-6 activities over a 2-hour party. Mix high-energy games with quieter moments.

Slumber Party Party for Tweens (Ages 9-12)

Tweens want more independence and cooler activities. Organized tournaments, dance-offs, or karaoke competitions work great. Let them vote on activities and give roles like team captain or DJ.

🛏️

Fun Slumber Party Party Games & Activities

8 themed activities with full instructions

Entertainment parties are about spectacle and social energy. These 8 cozy activities turn kids into the audience AND the performers — interactive shows, group challenges, and social games that thrive on the Slumber Party atmosphere.

Caterpillar Race

High Energy

Hop across the room in sleeping bags - first to finish wins!

15 min4-15 playerslargeAges 5-14

Supplies Needed:

Sleeping bagsRace course
How to Play

1. Get in bags 2. Line up at start 3. Hop to finish 4. Winner declared

Glam Squad Central

Calm

Do each other's hair, nails, and makeup.

45 min4-12 playersmediumAges 8-16

Supplies Needed:

Hair accessoriesNail polishKid-safe makeupMirrors
How to Play

1. Set up stations 2. Pair up 3. Do makeovers 4. Photo shoot

Sleepover Secrets

Medium Energy

Classic sleepover game with age-appropriate challenges.

30 min4-12 playersminimalAges 8-14

Supplies Needed:

Truth/Dare cardsSpinner
How to Play

1. Sit in circle 2. Spin bottle 3. Choose truth/dare 4. Complete challenge

Epic Pillow Fight

Mixed

Safe pillow fight with soft pillows! Time-limited rounds.

15 min4-15 playerslargeAges 7-16

Supplies Needed:

soft pillows
How to Play

Clear space of hazards. Soft pillows only. 2-minute rounds. Safe and fun!

All-Night Movies

Mixed

Watch movies with sleeping bags and snacks!

180 min4-15 playerslargeAges 7-16

Supplies Needed:

moviessleeping bagssnacks
How to Play

Set up movie area with sleeping bags. Queue up movies. Endless snacks!

Truth or Dare

Mixed

Classic sleepover game! Keep dares age-appropriate.

30 min4-12 playerssmallAges 8-16
How to Play

Sit in circle. Spin bottle or take turns. Truth or dare? Keep it fun and safe!

Glow-Up Station

Mixed

Fun with makeup, nail polish, and hair styling!

45 min2-10 playerssmallAges 8-16

Supplies Needed:

kid-safe makeupnail polishhair accessories
How to Play

Set up beauty station. Try new looks with washable makeup. Style hair. Take photos!

Flashlight Stories

Mixed

Tell stories with flashlights under blankets!

30 min4-15 playersmediumAges 8-16

Supplies Needed:

flashlightsblankets
How to Play

Turn off lights. Use flashlights. Tell not-too-scary stories. Spooky fun!

🛏️ Pro Tip: Every entertainment activity needs a "warm-up" version first. Before the big game, do a practice round. Before the talent show, do a silly warm-up act. Cold-starting a performance activity guarantees shy kids freeze up.

🛏️

DIY Slumber Party Party Decorations

7 decoration ideas • Est. $85-$190 total

Set the stage — literally. A Slumber Party party needs a "performance area" even if there's no performer. A cleared space with mood lighting, a backdrop, and seating arrangement turns any room into a cozy venue.

Ceiling & Hanging(2)

String Lights

Fairy lights for ambiance.

Easy DIYMust-Have
$15-$30
DIY Instructions

Hang around party area

Star Projector

Ceiling star projection.

Easy DIY
$15-$35
DIY Instructions

Set up in sleeping area

🎉General Decorations(1)

Pillow Fight Props

Decorative pillows.

Easy DIYMust-Have
$20-$40
DIY Instructions

Scatter around party area

🎨Activity(1)

Tent/Fort Setup

Pillow fort or tent decorations.

Medium DIYMust-Have
$25-$50
DIY Instructions

Set up in sleeping area

🎨Floor(2)

Dream Circle

Sleeping bags arranged in circle with cushions

Easy DIYReusableMust-Have
$0-$510 min setup
DIY Instructions

Arrange bags in circle, add decorative cushions.

Cozy Castle

Pillow and blanket fort as photo backdrop

Easy DIYReusable
$0-$1020 min setup
DIY Instructions

Build fort with pillows and string lights inside.

🎨Walls(1)

Dreams Banner

Sweet dreams birthday banner.

Easy DIYMust-Have
$10-$20
DIY Instructions

Hang above party area

Pro Tip: Fairy lights or LED strip lights transform any room for $10. String them around the "stage area" and dim the main lights. Atmosphere beats decoration coverage — one well-lit focal point outperforms 50 streamers.

🛏️

Slumber Party Party FAQs

Common questions answered

🛏️

Slumber Party Party Shopping List & Supplies

7 items • Est. $53-$178 total • 3 essentials

Entertainment themes spend less on decorations and more on experience. This Slumber Party list prioritizes atmosphere creators — lighting, sound, props — over paper goods. Budget $53-178 with 50% going to the entertainment experience itself.

$53

Budget Min

$178

Budget Max

7

Total Items

3

Must-Haves

🎈Decorations

1 items • ~$20
Cozy Decor$20-40

Stars, moon, fairy lights.

Amazon, Target
Must

🛒Food & Ingredients

1 items • ~$20
Midnight Munchies$20-40

Popcorn, candy, snacks.

Costco, Grocery Store
Must

📦Party Supplies

1 items • ~$5
Sleepover Kit$5-12

Sleeping masks, pillows.

Amazon, Dollar Tree
Must

🎁Party Favors

4 items • ~$8
Dream Time Masks$2-3

Cute sleep masks with fun designs

Dollar Tree, Amazon, Five Below
Sleepover Mani Kit$2-4

Small nail polish sets in fun colors

Claire's, Target, Amazon
Cozy Dream Socks$3-5

Soft fuzzy socks in various colors

Dollar Tree, Target, Walmart
Dreamy Eye Masks$2-4

Soft satin sleep masks in fun patterns

Amazon, Dollar Tree, Target

Where to Shop

Amazon

Best for bulk & themed items

Dollar Tree

Budget decorations & tableware

Party City

One-stop party shop

Target

Quality basics & snacks

🍿 Pro Tip: Check if your local library, community center, or school has props, costumes, or equipment you can borrow for free. Many have "party kits" or at minimum a PA system and folding chairs you can use.

🛏️

Slumber Party Party Planning Checklist & Timeline

15 tasks from 4 weeks out to party day

Entertainment parties have a natural "act structure." This Slumber Party timeline builds toward a peak moment — the big game, the show, the reveal — with warm-up activities before and a cool-down after. Pacing is everything.

📅

4 Weeks Before

(3 tasks)

Send sleepover invites

Send sleepover themed invitations with packing list!

30 minsInvitationsEssential

Send sleepover invites

Send sleepover themed invitations with packing list!

30 minsInvitationsEssential

Send sleepover invites

Send sleepover themed invitations with packing list!

30 minsInvitationsEssential
📅

3 Weeks Before

(3 tasks)

Order cozy supplies

Order sleep masks, sleeping bags, and pajama party items.

45 minsShoppingEssential

Order cozy supplies

Order sleep masks, sleeping bags, and pajama party items.

45 minsShoppingEssential

Order cozy supplies

Order sleep masks, sleeping bags, and pajama party items.

45 minsShoppingEssential
📋

2 Weeks Before

(6 tasks)

Plan sleepover activities

Plan games, movies, and late-night fun.

1 hourEntertainmentEssential

Order sleepy cake

Order moon, stars, or pajama themed cake.

30 minsFood & CakeEssential

Order sleepy cake

Order moon, stars, or pajama themed cake.

30 minsFood & CakeEssential

Plan sleepover activities

Plan games, movies, and late-night fun.

1 hourEntertainmentEssential

Order sleepy cake

Order moon, stars, or pajama themed cake.

30 minsFood & CakeEssential

Plan sleepover activities

Plan games, movies, and late-night fun.

1 hourEntertainmentEssential

Few Days Before

(3 tasks)

Buy midnight snacks

Get popcorn, candy, and breakfast supplies.

1 hourShoppingEssential

Buy midnight snacks

Get popcorn, candy, and breakfast supplies.

1 hourShoppingEssential

Buy midnight snacks

Get popcorn, candy, and breakfast supplies.

1 hourShoppingEssential

🧸 Pro Tip: Schedule the main event for 45-60 minutes into the party, not at the start. Kids need social warm-up time — arriving at a party and immediately being put on the spot to perform or compete creates anxiety, not excitement.

🛏️

Slumber Party Party Music & Playlist

10 songs • ~30 minutes of music

Music is the backbone of a Slumber Party party, not just background noise. This playlist is programmed to match the energy arc — ambient during arrival, building during activities, peak during the main event, chill during wind-down.

👋Arrival & Welcome

Background music as guests arrive

Dream Weaver

Gary Wright

calm4:55

🎮Games & Activities

Upbeat songs for active play

Count on Me

Bruno Mars

friendly

🎂Cake & Presents

Celebration time hits

Happy Birthday

Traditional

emotional0:45

🌙Wind Down

Calm songs as party ends

Good Night

The Beatles

calm

🎵Activity

Party music

Pillow Talk

Zayn

chill

Wannabe

Spice Girls

energetic

Girls Just Want to Have Fun

Cyndi Lauper

fun

🎶Background Music

Ambient party tunes

Mr. Sandman

The Chordettes

calm2:16

Fireflies

Owl City

calm3:48

🎵Departure

Party music

Good Night

The Beatles

calm3:13

🛏️ Pro Tip: Create a "walk-up song" moment: when the birthday kid enters for cake, play their favorite song at full volume. It's the concert-entrance energy that every kid secretly wants. Ask the birthday kid to pick their song beforehand.

🛏️

Slumber Party Party Favor & Goodie Bag Ideas

1 goodie bag ideas • ~$24 for 12 guests

Slumber Party favors should extend the entertainment at home. A DIY kit related to the theme, a playlist QR code, or a small prop from the party — something that lets kids recreate the experience on their own.

Dream Time Masks

$2/guest

Cute sleep masks with fun designs

For 12 guests: ~$24

Find at: Dollar Tree, Amazon, Five Below

Classic Goodie Bag Formula

  • • 1 themed toy or trinket
  • • 1-2 pieces of candy
  • • 1 activity item (stickers, coloring page)
  • • Optional: bubble or play-doh

🌙 Pro Tip: A Polaroid photo of each kid at the party is the best entertainment favor money can buy. Instax Mini film costs $0.65/photo. Kids get an instant, tangible memory — and parents love that it's not more plastic.

Free Slumber Party Party Planning Tools

Want to See a Real Party Plan?

Explore interactive party plan examples with complete checklists, timelines, menus, and more. These similar themes might inspire your slumber party celebration!

Get party planning tips in your inbox

Ready to Plan Your Slumber Party Party?

Get a personalized party plan in 60 seconds. Complete checklist, timeline, menu, and shopping list customized for your celebration.

Create My Party Plan — Free

No credit card required. No signup needed.