First Birthday Sleepover Party! Help!

I would start the party Friday around 5 pm... or however soon the parent can drop off after work/school. I'd feed the kids dinner and do the cake that evening. Keep it light if you're doing campfire stuff later on (ie. S'mores)
The next morning, pancakes or waffles (with various options for toppings)... in jammies... have them get dressed and picked up by 10. Even if the families do have things to do the next day, it will give them plenty of time to do so.
Have fun!

6 PM Friday night is a perfect start time. Pizza and cake and presents right away when everyone arrives. You seriously do NOT need to plan very much-- they will amaze you at how well they can entertain themselves in a group that big- especially if the girls already know eachother. I do recommend that you have a craft for them to do-- go to a craft store to get some ideas-- something easy that they can be creative with-- like you can buy white t-shirts (or pillow cases) and let them decorate with fabric markers or even just use colored sharpies (put cardboard or a magazine inside so it doesn't bleed through). One year I found canvas bags really cheap at the craft store and they decorated those. I would stay away from fabric paints or you'll end up with it on something you don't want it on (carpet, furniture, someone's clothes) and you can't stack them because they take forever to dry thoroughly.

Plan to be flexible. Once she opens her presents, you may discover she has a new game or craft kit they want to do together. Have one or 2 fall back activities that you don't care if you get a chance to do or not, like a board game that a big group can play. If your daughter is into make up and hair, you can let them do that for a while-- my daughter and her friends aren't, but she has come home from sleep overs covered in marker because the girls decorated eachother with markers! They actually have body art markers if you can find them-- I suppose they are just non-toxic and wash off easily?

Set up their sleeping bags/blankets/pillows all over the living room so they can claim their spots, then let them play a bit longer. When you are ready for the party to wind down, that's when you pop in a movie. Don't expect them all to be happy about the same movie, or want to sit quietly and watch it. You never know.

Make clear rules about not messing with kids who fall asleep first. I know that was a fun part of the sleepovers when we were growing up, but it just seems so cruel and I have heard of friendships that have been strained over feeling like they were singled out and picked on (drawing on girls who are asleep, sticking their hand in water to try and see if they'll pee, splashing water on them so it looks like they peed, etc.)

The next morning, have an easy breakfast like milk and juice and donuts (unless you LOVE to cook for a large group, in which case pancakes is always a hit). I'd end the party at 10 or 11. We usually let one or 2 very close friends spend the day, but it depends on the group dynamic if you can get away with doing that without hurt feelings.

I don't know the age difference with your 2 daughters, but you may want to allow your other daughter to invite one friend of her own.

My son and daughter are only one year apart in grades, so all of their friends know eachother. This past summer, my daughter was turning 10 and wanted a boys-against-the-girls mall scavenger hunt party, so I actually had a boy/girl sleep over with 5 girls and 4 boys. I made them all sleep in the living room and I slept on the couch! It was a blast.

Hi K.! I have 2 girls and have done quite a few sleepover parties! I think you have the right amount of girls (I went by their age until they were about 9..then it gets too much) I love your idea of a campfire! with smore's or just marshmallows. I would decide if you are doing dinner (pizza, hot dogs, etc) and plan your start time by that. If you do dinner...start at 6 and put it on your invite that they are having dinner (you can even list what you are having) that way, parents won't feed them before...I always hate when I don't know, feed my kid and then they are too full for pizza....or don't feed them and they starve. Then, I would end it about 9-10 am. Some parents may want to pick up earlier...and I would plan for a fun breakfast...pancakes is easy and you can do fun stuff like write their names (use a pastry bag) or make mickey mouse pancakes or whatever....put chocolate chips for the face. A couple games and a movie with popcorn sound very good. Don't "overplan" I think we (parents today) tend to try to fill every minute of our kid's days/events and don't let them just "play". 8 y/o girls need time to giggle and be silly. Teach them to play the 'telephone game' as they sit in a circle of sleeping bags...they will be surprised at what gets passed along.
As to the 30th...wouldn't bother me. But you might get quite a few that have Halloween parties (we don't do H.) but there are also alternative...'harvest parties' that some may have planned. So, beware of that....you don't want too many 'no thank you' to your RSVP. Pick a cute fall theme and make personalized tote bags (maybe book size) or even pillowcases (they can all sign each others) with fabric pens(totes) or sharpies (pillowcases) This provides a longer lasting 'favor' than candy and probably costs the same as filling a plastic bag with a bunch of 'stuff'. HTH R.

PS I love all the other responses!!! I forgot about the cake...but they have great ideas! My kids have opted for a giant cookie for their cake for the last couple years..chocolate chip is the preferred cookie with a bit of icing around the edge and some writing. You will have a hard time choosing from all the great ideas!

When I was a kid I had alot of these parties, and I think 5 or 6 pm is a good "show time". We always did the party that night. We also did make your own pizza and ice cream sundaes as food/activities. Simply prepare pizza crusts in aluminum pie pans and let the girls top with sauce, cheese, pepperoni, sausage, veggies, etc. and bake. Then for dessert later set up a ice cream sundae bar and let them go wild with the toppings!! These activities, and gifts and cake and movie should get you through the night okay...Then I would set pickup time before noon (depending on you plans for that day) and plan on a fun breakfast, pancakes or doughnuts or something pretty easy. Also, as far as Oct. 30 I don't think it would be a problem! Hope all goes well!!

First I want to say GOOD LUCK!! :) I remember my sleepover parties as a kid and they were the best!
Friday night would be ideal, the kids are a little more tired from a week of school and are a little more likely to sleep at least a little. And they also will have Saturday night to recover from the party, aside from being ready for church on Sunday.
I would probably have the kids come over around 6. It's not to much time to fill but it will give them time for dinner, snacks, and playtime. I know that our parties usually ended around 10 the next morning. It was just enough time to wake up have a special breakfast treat (my dad usually went out and got donuts for everyone) and then clean up everyones stuff and parents were there to pick up. You don't want to have to plan two days worth of activites.
I think the campfire would be a lot of fun! We used to also go to Walmart or the dollar store and get a bunch of fun kids make up and do makeovers and things. I remember one year I was into baking and cooking so my mom helped us make cookies and then let us have at it for decorating. That's the best thing about sleepovers they can have ANY theme imaginable.
I would also suggest doing the "party" on Friday. Everyone will be so tired on Saturday, it's nice to let them go home early and take their naps.

Hope that helped a little. I know it's good to get a lot of ideas, just let your daughter do whatever she is into.

Oh K., it is perfect...your plan. I have a 7 1/2 year old and that is what she wanted last year but I just had a baby so NO WAY! :-) I think it is appropriate to have everyone come at 5 (if you can get home that early) and have dinner (something fun), do the campfire FOR SURE and roast marshmallows and tell stories and laugh and then a movie and then bed-I would say no later than 9 or so. Then in the morning, have breakfast, sing and have cake and have everyone picked up by 11. That is my opinion. Have super fun!!!

If your having a campfire with hotdogs, etc. you will want to have the girls there around 5:00-5:30. Scavenger hunts are always a lot of fun. Snipe hunts are a fun game also. Make sure you have marshmellows for roasting. Sing campfire songs. When you go inside for the movie I would have the cake so after breakfast the girls can go home. Facials are a fun thing for the girls to do. They can put on their facial masks before the movie starts, then you can stop the movie part way through for them to take the masks off. Get the kind you peel off. My girls and their friends always loved them. Instead of cake you could have cupcakes. Just bake the cupcakes and leave them plain. Then have a couple different flavors of frosting and some decorations and let each girl decorate their own. You can plan on them staying up most of the night. They will be getting up late on Saturday. Plan a simple easy breakfast where they have a few options. Cereal, milk, juice, fruit, toast, bagels, and jelly. I would have pick up time between 9:00 and 10:00. That way they have time to wake up, have a good breakfast and be on there way.

As a kid, most of my birthday parties were "slumber" parties. We too generally had them on Friday night so parents didn't have to pick their kids up at the crack of dawn due to church services on Sunday. :)

Friday night friends would generally arrive around 5pm and we'd order pizza or mom would make spaghetti or some simple dish. After dinner, we'd do cake and open presents. The point of opening the presents on Friday was so my friends and I could play with the items while they were there. Often kids are given games that require more players than a family can conveniently come up with for example. Or you get play make up or other items that make great fun when used with friends.

A movie or bonfire after opening presents would be great and help the girls to settle down for some quiet time. Then, everyone gets up in the morning to a simple breakfast of waffles or pancakes and pick up time is around 11am so that you aren't responsible for lunch. (3 meals is really a bit much for a simple sleepover.)

Instead of cake, you might also consider a "Make your own sundae" party. Get a couple flavors of ice cream, toppings, whip cream, sprinkles, etc and bake a pan of brownies. Let the girls each make their own hot fudge brownie sundae. It doesn't cost any more than a grocery store bakery cake, but is a little unique and more fun. It also kills some time...because at some point you'll wonder what to do with a house full of kids. :)

Have fun!

Hi, K.! Sounds like you have most of the happy details in hand. I think that what time the guests get there depends on whether or not you want to feed them dinner. If it's going to be a dinner party (I DO NOT suggest doing this if you want to keep things simple), then they need to be there around 5pm. If not, start the party after 6:00 so that you can get away with dessert stuff like cake and ice cream.

I think a campfire is a MARVELOUS idea! Maybe they can tell each other spooky stories or even birthday stories, then have lights out. I would not prolong the party too long, give them breakfast in the morning, maybe a few games and/or a movie, then have them go home for lunch. If they are all into Barbies or other dress-up dolls, maybe you can tell them in advance and have a doll fashion show or talent show. That might be good for Friday night indoors if the weather isn't good for a bonfire, or Saturday morning. I don't suggest having the party go on too long Saturday because you'll need some time to recuperate, clean up, and get ready for Sunday morning.

Anyway, that's how I would do it. I had just one boy and no slumber parties, but I've been to a few as a child. Little girls tend to like skits, and they tend to like showing off their favorite dolls, so maybe my idea of a doll show (like a puppet show, only not so babyish) would keep them happy and let them be creative.

I would avoid doing it on Halloween because then you will get stuck taking them trick or treating or competing with other Halloween parties, and then you run the risk of having very few or none of them show up.

I hope your daughter's party is a smashing success!

Peace,
Syl

your ideas sound great! I would do it on a Friday, with the activities you have planned....but have the "party" on Friday night. I would have the girls come at 5 or 6 which gives parents time to get home from work and bring them. Then have pizza for dinner followed by birthday cake, and opening gifts! After that you can do your games, campfire and movie.....don't forget the popcorn! End it about 10 AM on Saturday....that way the girls can sleep late (sort of) ...you can make pancakes for breakfast and they can get on with whatever activities they have on a Saturday....some parents might come earlier than 10. Be prepared for someone to get homesick and need to leave early, especially if this is a first sleepover for some of the girls. And most importantly! Have another adult or 2 help you!!! This is a lot of work to do alone....i have learned that from experience!!

This birthday will be fun! Friday sounds perfect. Girls can arrive around six so you'll have time for the games, campfire, etc. After they finally get to sleep (be prepared for little of this) they'll probably sleep in late, so you can have a nice brunch ending with cake. Parents can pick them up around ten. Make sure you write it on the invites.

7 or 7:30 is good time. Dont expect sleep the girls will be up til 1am usually and there will be alot of giggling. Put on the invites about bringing a lite jacket for smores. The girls will love that.
For games look at those games where you have to draw, act out, or give clues to and the girls can be on teams. Dollar store has some great little things for prizes and goodiebags.
For dinner make it pizza and soda
Do the whole party thing on friday, saturday morning the girls might not be so awake. YOu can tell parents to pick the girls up at 10am. DO a light breakfast- cereals, pancakes, precooked sauges, home fries (some come frozen so easy prep), oj

What a great idea! Friday night is perfect. Kids are off school and parents can perhaps stay and have a glass of wine or tea (helping out, too) while the girls settle in.

That it's the day before Halloween gives you the opportunity to make it a costume party, create special treats for the girls, or an art project; but they probably have their own plans for trick or treating...
Something simple for dinner: pizza is so overrated and filling. A fruit salad, finger sandwiches (cheese, pbj, ham and cheese, turkey...)
Then, a campfire with "S'mores" (marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers) a few good stories, a sing-along, and then cozy watching a cute movie after brushing teeth.

Hopefully, all parents drop off and pick up. Too bad we (most of us) have had the experience of a child or two left over due to forgetful or degligent parents.
It's always so sad for the child.

But, back to the good things...you may want to do a healthy breakfast, eggs and toast, meat if you want; and offer a cold cereal for the picky eaters. Open presents, cut the cake, take lots of photos (great to send in with the thank-you note...) and then the little ladies will be picked up by noon-1 pm ( no need to feed them again...) Then, you have the rest of the day to clean up, make memories, take a nice hot bath and be relaxed for your Sunday family day.
I'm so excited for you!
As for the Halloween
Blessings, S.

We always had awesome sleeover parties when we were younger. My mom always made it alot o fun. she played BINGO wih us, which sounds kind of silly, but we all loved it. She got the pizes at the dollor tree, and the last game was always full card bingo and the winner got a special prize. You can find a bingo set really cheap at Target. The girls would probably also love to decorate cupakes or make their own pizza. We always did dinner Friday night, girls came aound 6:00...had dinner, played bigo, did gifts and watched movies until late and usually finished with breakfast on Saturday. Hope you guys have fun

Hi there! Your very brave and if done right you can have a great time with these girls! We had our first BIG sleepover this past January with one of our daughters! WOW It was sooo much fun and overall EASY! I will go through your questions and then add my own.

1) Friday makes a lot more sense! Due to sometimes certain parents think that you should be keeping their kid the entire next day. (personal experience...)*Make for sure that parents have a certain time to come pick up their child. Might seem mean but with that huge group do you want to have them for dinner on saturday?

2) I did my "party" part on friday with the kids coming over at around 5 or 6...

3) Ending.. depends on when you think they will wake up? I set mine for 10... the kids all were up by 6am!!

4) As far as the theme or whatever for the party... girls are EASY to please! Fire with marshmellows (sp?)and maybe camping out... all depends on what your daughter is into! Mine? girly!!! First girly party she ever had! So she wanted camprock, with doing complete makeovers for all 12 girls! Which meant nails, make-up, hair... dress-up. And then a singstar/wii evening.. loud music for them to dance to. REALLY EASY!!! And extremly happy children!

* As far as the 30th.. It depends on if the people have halloween things that are happening on that day. Where we live lots of things are going on the 30th so that people can do their halloween stuff on saturday.

Best wishes and hope everything turns out great!!

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Everyone else had some great suggestions and thoughts... but I didn't really see where anyone addressed specifically the question of when to do the cake/icecream stuff. I would recommend Friday night. Saturday morning will be pretty hectic with the parents coming at varying times to pick up the girls and you don't want them showing up and not being finished with the cake/presents stuff.

Do it after you eat dinner (pizza?) as the dessert. I would expect the girls to stay up past 10 pm (around 10 or 10:30 depending on the girls, I would start the calming down and pop in a movie phase). So if you want to do the outside roasting marshmallows stuff, you could do it after a brief delay from the cake... I remember vividly playing kick the can at a friend's spend the night party when I was a child. We all were supplied with flashlights and were running around outside in the dark at 11 pm. Of course, that was 35 years ago and we lived in a rural town with HUGE (2 acres) yards. But it is a thought if you have a big yard in a safe neighborhood.

Have fun!