Sleep Under Party Ideas

This is the first time I've heard of a "sleep under," and it sounds cute, but to differentiate from a regular birthday party, I'd invite the guests to come in their pajamas. (Also makes it easier for their parents to get them to bed when they get home if they are already READY for bed).

If you are planning on it being for 2 hrs, would it be something like 5-7, or 6-8? Are you feeding them dinner? Or an evening snack? Everyone eats dinner at a diferent time and has different bedtimes, so you might want to think about that aspect that some kids will be hungry and cake/ice cream won't be sufficient.

Maybe have them help make a snack to eat that DOESN'T require cooking.

ETA: Maybe buy a bunch of plain colored pillows and let the kids decorate them? Read them some bedtime stories. My 5 year old son LOVES "Amelia Bedilia," which I was so excited to introduce him to.

ETA2: Get some very small plain wooden trinket boxes (with a latch) from a craft store & have the girls decorate them.

I've had 2 of these parties for my girls...once for a 6y/o party with about 14 girls and one for an 8 y/o party with 6 girls.

Have them wear their fave pjs. We had them decorate their own cupcakes, too. Put out diff colored frosting and lots if diff sprinkles (don't know what the big deal is about sugaring kids up before sending them home...I mean, it IS a bday party, right?!?!).

Good activities for that age group are painting fingernails, temp tattoos, go to michaels or target and pick up lots of tubes of glow bracelets (they're $1 for a pk of 15) then shut off lights and let the girls have a blast. I also bought a pair of cute socks and played the game that they pass the socks around while music plays and if they're left holding the socks when the music stops they're out. Last kid in game gets to keep socks. My goody bags were filled with slipper socks, toothbrush and hair elastics. When we had the 6 y/o party I also sat all the kids in the living room near the end of the party and read them stories.

It's a fun theme...have a great time!

You do know in the context of sleeping over, under is not the opposite so your name makes no sense. Why aren't you just calling it a birthday party?

Anyway unless boys have changed they aren't into crafts and the like. When my sons had birthday parties at home they were content to play video games and the like or whatever games the kids are used to playing with each other.

Perhaps if you explained what a sleep under party was in the question then people might not misunderstand....I don't understand why it isn't called a birthday party too. I guess they must have removed some of the answers you got because I can't see anything offensive.

What is a sleep under party? How is it different from a normal birthday party?

I'm still looking for an answer to, "What is a sleep UNDER?"

Post Edit:

J. - are you serious???? Where are the negative responses???? I don't see even one. What's wrong with asking for clarification about a different use of a common term? And where did you come up with the magical age of 8 and UNDER being ready for a sleepover? My kids started sleepovers with their cousins by the age of 3, but then again, mine were potty trained and not terrified to be separated from me, as is often NOT the case here on this site.

J. - again - what's up with you today???? Are you PMSing???

Mama's, here is what J. PMd me
1st PM:

Re: Sleep Under

Ever heard of google? If you read my response it should of been self explanitory. Girls come over in their PJ's, do sleep ove type things, but DON'T sleep over b/c they are still too young to be away from home for that long.

get it?

...And PM #2:
Re: Sleep Under

Wow.,I'm shocked at your lack of awareness and sensitivity. I'm sure your kids don't mind leaving at th age of 3 to sleep somewhere else. See, now that's negative. Oh, and the magical age came from my pediatrician.

This is more to address your so what happened... in regards to why people assumed it was a son (cause i did) and i think for me -my sleep deprived brain scanned the question and read soon as son.... no idea why and clearly nothing you did... but i can't explain how my brain works lol
also... have to add my sleepy brain to the list of those who had no idea what a sleep under party was... although very cute idea

I've never heard of a sleep under party. You mention 2 hours. Could you update your question and explain a little more so we understand your party better?

Thanks,
Dawn

Sleep under? Can you get some kiddie tents or get a real, but smallish tent, and set it up in the livingroom and have them bring blankets and make s'mores and pretend to be camping?

What is a "sleep under"? Why 2 hours?

We also got a roll of white paper and covered the table and the kids decorated their own tablecloth. We made top your own pizzas - you can use Boboli crusts cut in 1/2 or take biscuits and smoosh 2-3 together - or top english muffin 1/2's for little pizzas
Save 2 liter pop or large juice bottles, use a tennis ball and have inside bowling
Have a craft for everyone to make - such as a door hanger with decorations you glue on
However you spend your time, assume they will go through your activities in 1/2 of the amount of time you allot.

Never heard of a "sleep under" before! I was thinking something more grim, like a graveyard burial! LOL.

Anyway, I'm guessing from other responses you are just having a late afternoon/early evening playdate with a group of kids? I say plan a meal where the kids can get creative and make their own plates. A taco bar, personal pizzas with a variety of fixings, crock pot sloppy joes, or even an ice cream sunday bar with a variety of fixings is good.

I'd also pick one or two games where everyone can burn some energy but not get too crazy. We have some favorites at our house:

Any of the Hyperdash games are a big hit. See:http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3...

Hide n' Seek Monkey. See: http://www.amazon.com/Hide-And-Seek-Safari--Monkey/dp/B00...

Scavenger Hunt for Kids: http://www.amazon.com/University-Games-01427-Scavenger-Hu...

Any of the Cranium games that are interactive: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3...

Wii games

Karaoke

Another safe idea? Why not some free-play?

If it's a group of boys, provide a giant box of basic Legos and a table and let em build. They'll do it for hours! A train set or Matchbox cars and track might be just as popular.

If it's a group of girls, provide a wide variety of crafting materials for a planned project. You can buy project kits for large groups and parties with all of the needed materials and directions from Michael's or JoAnn etc. crafting stores.

what a cute idea- and I LOVE the title (why the haters?!?), keep the sleep under title- especially if that is something of the theme.

anyway, if it's girls, I would:
have them all wear their pjs over
do a fun/quick interactive story time

but two hours will go quick, so if you already have some games and are doing cupcakes, you should be fine with those and some snack time as well.

if you are really brave (for boys or girls), let them play hide and seek, always a hit. google 'sardines' hide and seek, much more fun and silly. have fun!!

Do you have a fenced backyard? You could have them bundle up at dusk and play flashlight tag in the yard. My son's nursery school had a parent's night out once a month and they always did this out on the play yard and the kids LOVED it... They also loved just going on a nighttime walk... Anything that they don't normally get to do.

What about making super-hero masks and/or capes. Cut eye mask shapes (think zoro) out of colored or black tag board and then have glitter and stickers etc for them to put on... for capes, have fabric already cut to size and then let them decorate and wear.

... then settle in for a superhero movie of some kind (or maybe just an episode of something). Pop popcorn and have them put sleeping bags on the floor or build pillow forts to watch in.

HTH
T.

Two hours will go quickly. You could have a scavenger hunt. Also include some free play time as they will enjoy just running around and playing. Along with decorating cupcakes that should fill your two hours.

I am guessing a sleep under means they are not sleeping over. I think you are going to have a hard time getting ten 6yo boys to sit and decorate cupcakes. They want to run around. I would maybe think of a game they can do it the backyard and then just let them run around and play. For my sons B-Day I bought some cheap guns from the dollar store, set up some barries in the back yard and little hiding spots and they played cops and robbers.

Tell all the moms to send their boys Nerf guns with them....it will be a loud roudy party...but they will have fun!

10 six year olds full of sugary icing. Oooooh boy.

Might I suggest that you rent a projector from a local party rental company...and project Cars 2 or another good movie? Provide pizza, popcorn, candies (some could be sugar free), diet caffeine free sodas, snacks, etc., and lots of pillows, bean bag chairs, etc to lounge on. Set it up in some big, safe room (like the basement/family room) and get out of the way. Let them be noisy and have fun. Stay out of it except for occasionally popping in to make sure everyone is having fun.

Whatever you give them, keep in mind that you'll be sending them home to their parents. Parents who might not appreciate their child being ridiculously wired up for the rest of the night. Be considerate.

Pizza, movies and a place for them to yell for 30 minutes.

Have to agree, only real negativity here coming from the poster, we can all be nicer!!