It's that time of year again! Summer is coming to an end, and a new school year is right around the corner, which can only mean one thing - it's time to throw a back-to-school sleepover party!
If you're looking to throw an unforgettable bash for your child and their friends, we've got 13 great ideas for some end-of-summer fun. Get ready to start sending out those invites!
13 Back-to-School Sleepover Activities The Kids Will Love
Sleepover Party Games
The key element to a successful sleepover party is having plenty of fun games for the kids to play! Here are a few of our favorites:
My Secret Fear
This quirky charades game is sure to get some laughs! Going around in a circle, each kid has to think of something they're afraid of about the new school year and then act it out without saying what it is. The other kids have to guess what the fear is. This fun game can also help kids to conquer their fears by laughing about them with their friends.
What's in your Backpack?
This game is a great way to break the ice and get the party started. Encourage the kids to fill their backpacks with everyday back-to-school items along with some silly ones that no one would expect. Then have the kids take turns guessing each item while providing playful hints along the way.
The sillier the items, the better. Don't hesitate to help them by providing a few silly household items like a dog toy, dad's old socks, a screwdriver, etc.
Build Your Own Pizza
Let the little ones get creative in the kitchen with their own personal pizzas. Sure, you could just order a bunch of pizzas from your local pizzeria, but where's the fun in that? You can keep things simple by buying pre-made dough and having a variety of toppings for the kids to choose from.
This activity is not only delicious but also a great way for the kids to whip up some unique creations. The pizzas will need some time to bake in the oven, which creates the perfect opportunity for a pizza party themed photoshoot! Try these great pizza party photo props from Big Dot of Happiness to snap some silly photos of the kids.
Taco Bar
Not every kid loves pizza, so if you're looking for a tasty alternative, why not set up a taco bar? You won't need to worry about using the oven with the kids around or waiting for the pizzas to bake.
Prepare the taco meat with all the fixings ahead of time and let the kids assemble their own tacos. Turn it into a full-blown Fiesta with these fantastic Mexican-themed party decorations from the Dawn Hope Store!
Nail Painting
Get the girls together for a little pampering spa session with some nail polish. We love the idea of matching their nails to their first-day-of-school outfits! This is such a simple activity, but it's one the girls are sure to enjoy.
This nail polish set from Three Cheers for Girls comes in 6 vibrant colors of the rainbow with some optional sparkles to really make those nails pop! Each girl can have their turn at the "nail salon" with you, or they can paint each other's nails if you've got an older group that's less likely to make a mess.
Friendship Bracelet Craft
Is there a better way to kick off the new school year than with some new BFF bracelets? The first day of school is a little scary for some kids, but it's so much easier when they know they've got their best friends with them. Friendship bracelets are such a great reminder for them to stick together during those first few days (and beyond!).
This Friendship Bracelet Craft Kit from Doodle Hog comes with everything they'll need to make some unique friendship bracelets, including the beads, charms, and colorful strings! This is such a fun activity for the girls, and it doubles as a great party favor for them to take home at the end of the night.
School Year Predictions
The first day of school is always such a whirlwind, but it's so fun to look back on and remember all the details later. Help the kids document their first day with a sleepover diary activity! Have them write down their predictions for the year, their hopes and dreams, and what they're most excited about. They can also take some fun photos from the party to add to their diary.
Write a Special Message to Each Other
What better way to show your BFFs how much you love them than with a special message? Have each kid write a heartfelt note in each other's diaries to let them know how much they mean to them.
They can include inside jokes, memories from the past year, or just some kind words to let them know how much they're loved. Whenever they're feeling down, they open their diaries and see the kind words from their best friend to remind them of how great they are!
These lock and key diary gift sets from Life is a Doodle are perfect for this activity and make a great keepsake for the kids to take home with them.
Make Unicorn Popcorn
Have you ever seen a more beautiful bag of popcorn? This Unicorn Popcorn recipe from Life Love Liz is so fun and pretty, it's almost too good to eat!
Mini S'mores
S'mores are always a smash hit with kids, and these mini versions are no exception! This Mini S'mores recipe from Taste of Home can be made ahead of time, or the kiddos can help with the final assembly. Add some fun sprinkles to make this treat extra special!
Cupcake Decorating
Cupcakes are a classic party treat and the simplest one to make on this list. You can pick up some pre-made cupcakes from the store along with different colors of icing and a variety of different sprinkles. Then let the kids decorate their cupcakes however they want!
Checkout this cupcake decorating kit if you need something to get you started!
Watch a Movie
After all the activities, the kids are sure to be exhausted! Have them curl up with some blankets and pillows and settle in for a movie. Set the kids up with some bowls of your fun sleepover snacks and enjoy the film together (or sneak away for some quiet time after being such an incredible host!)
We recommend picking a movie that's light-hearted and appropriate for all ages. You can even make it a school-themed movie night by choosing from this list of back-to-school movies for kids.
That's a Wrap!
We hope you enjoyed these fun back-to-school sleepover party ideas! The end of summer is always bittersweet, but your back-to-school bash is sure to make the transition a whole lot easier. Don't forget to take pictures and have a blast!