Whats a Good Age for a Sleepover?

Updated on January 23, 2007
A.K. asks from Poway, CA
13 answers

My 6 year old son has started asking for friends to sleep over and he over there... he usually doesn't sleep past 9:pm? Should I delay or just do it and if he's the first one asleep.. so be it.

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B.D.

answers from Portland on

I say let him have fun. The only rule that I have ever applied for sleepovers is same gender after the age of 10 and seperate rooms before that age. Enjoy the laughs while they last soon they will be too big for sleepovers. B.

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E.R.

answers from Medford on

MY DAUGHTER IS 6 AND HAS HAD A COUPLE SLEEPOVERS AND BEEN TO A COUPLE. SOME OF THE GIRLS FALL ASLEEP EARLIER THAN OTHERS BUT ITS NO BIG DEAL. HAVE FUN!!

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C.D.

answers from Las Vegas on

My son started sleepovers at 4-5. I just made sure I knew the family very well. He's now six and has a four y/o brother. When he has a friend here since him and brother share a room, we usually set up a tent in the living room or something for them to sleep in that way it doesn't disturb the little one. My husband and I let them go until they drive us nuts and shut off the lights. We never have a problem with one falling asleep before the other cuz once one is down the other is right behind them.

They have so much fun. It gets a little crazy sometimes, I have boys, but they listen very well...if they don't it's bedtime. And besides when he sleeps at his friend's it's so nice going down to one kid!

Have fun!

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A.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

It really depends on you, the other Mom & the maturity of your child. My 2 sons had sleepovers this summer and they were 3 & 5 at the time (now 4 and 5). But I would never have let my 5yo sleep over anywhere before the age of 5 because of his bed wetting and maturity. Whereas my younger son was potty trained early and is very mature.

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M.H.

answers from Seattle on

I think 6 is a great age. That's when I had MY first sleep over as a little girl :)

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C.S.

answers from San Diego on

I say...let the boys work that out themselves. Often they are so excited with everything that is new that they can stay up later than the average day. My son (5) and daughter (10) go to bed at 8pm ever night, but when kids are spending the night they can stay up until all godly hours!

Have fun!

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R.F.

answers from Sacramento on

I think sleepovers differ from child to child. I have 3 and they all started the sleepover thing at different ages. If you think he is ready maybe you can try having his friends over for the first few times and if that seems to go well you can let him go to his friends. Kids tend to act a bit differently when they are away from home. You never know he might be the last one out for the night. Good Luck.

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M.J.

answers from Los Angeles on

My neighbor just did a girls sleep over. 9 years. Her daughter was the first asleep and the last to wake. I think if you're comfortable with it, set an early arrival time, set up an early bed time and an early pick up and so be it if he falls asleep.

I think I had my first sleep over in 1st grade and I was 7 so although I thought I was so old then, I can see how young that actually is now. I would just make sure everyone is free from bed wetting. I had a girl wet her sleeping bag on our couch when she stayed the night. That is not only fun for us but makes for easy teasing for that one kids which isn't cool either.

Oh and if you like sweets...you can buy several types of plain ice cream (choc, van, strawberry) smash oreos, m&m's, cherries, bananas, etc and let them do make their own sundae's. That was my favorite.

Have fun!

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L.B.

answers from Anchorage on

Hi A., my daughter was 6yrs old and we let her spend the night with her little friend.one thing is I asked questions.like if there were any fire arms in the house that the children could get a hold of and if they had a fire escape plan.will there be a adult at all times with the children. when i asked those questions i was comfortable by letting her spend the night.call me over protective but now days you hear so many bad things.but if your comfortable let him have that experiance.if he stays up late ask if that is going to be a problem or find out what their rules will be.good luck

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T.J.

answers from Los Angeles on

six is okay. If the other child goes to bed a little earlier than that, you'd need to explain that this is what the other parent's rules are and this nite will be a little different. Maybe have an activity where the children move around alot and use their brains where it will wear them out. By the time it's 8pm, the children might want to start settling down or worn out from the activity. Be involved with their activity so that they feel special.

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L.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hello Melissa, thats a hard one. I know with each of my kids it depends. I allowed my son to do sleep overs at about 6 years but I knew the family real good and to be honest it was just across the street. I allowed my daughter at 11 years but that was because she was a girl and again I knew the family. I guess you have to ask yourself how well you know the family where he will be staying and if you approve of the things they do. I am sure you will make the right dicession for you and your son.
L.

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H.J.

answers from Los Angeles on

My son is 4 and my daughter is 2,my best friend has a 4, 3, and 2year old and they have sleep overs all the time, we do it more so we can swap kids for the whole night and have a night off withour spouses, but the kids always seem to be fine.
H.

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L.R.

answers from Fresno on

I think if he feels he's ready let him go. If this will be his first time sleeping at a friends house alone, be prepared to receive a phone call around his bed time just in case he gets cold feet. Same thing if you have a youngster at your house. It sounds like a lot of fun for them until it's time to go to bed. He may do great! You just won't know till you let him.

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