Slumber party games for little kids!

Slumber party games are a breeze for the little 'uns...

...because they'll be so excited wearing their pajamas that almost any activity is going to be double the fun!

A slumber party for little kids really means a pajama party.

And the wonderful thing at this age is that you don't have to worry about getting the kids off to sleep!

Why?

Because it's only a pretend slumber party!

So these slumber party games are ideal for both boys and girls, and I've included extra kid sleepover activity tips and ideas below.

Of course, this pretend sleepover wouldn't be the same without a little imaginary "slumbering" - so that's included too!

Don't forget to ask your guests to bring

• a pillow
• a sleeping bag
• and their favorite soft toy

Slumber party games

Sleeping bag race
You'll need two sleeping bags placed at one end of the room. Make sure the sleeping bags are zipped up and only open at the top. It's a good idea if they are two different colors - then you can have a red team and a blue team, for example.

Divide the children into their teams and line them up ready.

When you say "Go!" the first child in each team races to their sleeping bag. They have to get right into the sleeping bag - and then get out again! You might need a couple of helpers to assist!

Then each child races back to their team, "tags" the next kid in their team, who then races to their sleeping bag.

The first team to finish wins. Have a practice game first with no winners. You could adapt this slumber party game to any suitable obstacle race, too. Play this one a couple of times before settling down for...

Pass the pillow
This slumber party game is a variation of pass the parcel. Prepare a box of wrapped goodies and place it in the center of the circle where the kids are sitting.

When the music starts to play, the children pass a pillow around the circle. When the music stops, the child holding the pillow can take a goodie out of the box.

Whoever is playing and stopping the music must make sure that every kid gets a goodie - or there'll be tears!

Musical sleeping bags
Clear a space! Lay out the kids' sleeping bags on the floor. One less sleeping bag than the number of players. Start the music - and when it stops - it's up to you!

Either each child has to sit on a sleeping bag. (Faster) Or they have to actually get into them. (More chaotic!)

Toss the toy
Each child puts their pillow on the floor in front of them and takes five steps back.

They then have to toss their soft toy so that it lands on the pillow!

Depending on the space you have, they can all do this around the room, or two by two. If any kids have brought unsuitable soft toys/pillows for this activity, give them a substitute.

Pyjama parade
For a girls' slumber party game, you could add a little beauty activity before the parade - see my slumber party ideas below.

Prepare a "catwalk", line the kids up and let each kid take their turn as an announcer describes their pyjamas!

If each kid has brought a present for the birthday boy or girl, you could combine the catwalking with the present giving. Have birthday child sit in a chair or "throne of dreams" at the end of the catwalk!

Sweet dreams
Ahhh, now it's naptime! This is an one of those slumber party games that requires a little imagination. Darken the room but leave on a small nightlight.

The kids settle down on the floor with their pillows, soft toys and a few blankets or sheets. Play a little quiet music in the background.

Tell the children they must stay where they are lying - they can sit or stand up, but mustn't move about anywhere else.

Prepare beforehand a list of your guests' names, with a "dream" for each child.

Then you read out each item on your list, slowly. Anna - you're dreaming about eating. So Anna pretends to sit up and eat - with her eyes closed of course! Ben might be dreaming that he's swimming - so he starts to swim. And so on. Other ideas include:

• being a dog or cat
• playing football
• brushing your hair
• playing with a toy
• cleaning your teeth
• riding a bicycle

Of course, the kids will all be giggling away and secretly looking at each other!

You can either get them to do the activity, then tell them the dream is over and go onto the next child; or get them all doing their activities at once. Or play the first version, then the second, letting each kid have a different dream next time round.

Soft toy lullaby
Now it's time to put those soft toys to bed with a lullaby. All the kids put their toys on the pillows, cover them up and sit next to their pillow.

Now you can sing some songs together. Here are some ideas!

• Twinkle twinkle little star
• Hush little baby
• Rock-a-bye-baby
• All the pretty horses

Once the toys have fallen asleep, now is a good time to ask the children to tiptoe off to get ready for their party food!

Slumber party ideas

1. Put your slumber party invitations into tiny white pillowcases with the name of your guest on the front.
2. You could have the kids decorate a plain pillowcase as a craft activity.
3. Girls might love a little nail painting or a simple facial!
4. Boys might like a suitably scary story... or a Lego challenge where each kid has 20 bricks and must build something - anything - with them as fast as possible!
5. Settle the kids down on their pillows for 20 minutes to watch a video.
6. When your guests leave, give them an extra goodie bag - breakfast for the morning! A piece of fruit, a mini box of cereal, a yogurt, a box of juice or milk, doughnuts - plus a napkin!