11 Sleepover Games & Activities That Won’t Destroy the House

My son mentioned hosting a sleepover in anticipation of the upcoming school year and panic set in. My first thought was, “I’m not going to get any sleep.” My second thought was, “My house is going to be destroyed.”

Alas, slumber parties were a childhood staple of mine. My friends would bring their sleeping bags, and we’d stay up all night laughing and watching tons of movies. They’re memories I’ll never forget, so of course, I wouldn’t deny them to my own son. Instead, I went to scouring the internet for potential sleepover games and activities that I knew they’d love, but most importantly, would wear them out so we could all get some sleep.

Here are eleven sleepover games, activities, and craft ideas that are low key, will keep the kids busy, and are not too terribly messy.

More Kids’ Activities:

Sleepover Games

Spin the Nail Polish Bottle

This is the cutest sleepover game ever from Maxabella Loves. Make a board using a piece of paper and a spinner from one of your board games. Place different colored nail polish all around. Each player spins ten times to decide what color nail polish will go on which finger. Photo: Maxabella Loves
Pom Pom and Tape Target Game

Here’s a sleepover game from Handmade by Kelly where you won’t care if the kids throw things. That’s the point! Cover a doorway with painter’s tape so all of the stickiness is on one side. Assign each player a pom pom color. Let the kids take turns tossing the pom poms at the tape. The point of the game is to see how many pom poms they can stick on the tape. Photo: Handmade by Kelly
Glow-in-the-Dark Piñata

When it comes to slumber parties, you have to make at least one activity or game glow-in-the-dark. Piñatas are the ultimate sleepover game. This glow-in-the-dark piñata from Momtastic is surprisingly easy to make, and the kids will love smashing it---guaranteed. Photo: Momtastic
Build Your Own Buffet

In between all of the sleepover games and movies, it's inevitable that the kids are going to get hungry. Whether you decide to serve sundaes like About a Mom or popcorn like Family Fresh Meals, you’ve got to offer your child’s guests a smorgasbord of candy toppings. Yes, you may give the kids a major sugar rush, but eventually they will crash! Photo: About a Mom
Ice Breaker Ball

Is your kid inviting friends who don’t know each other very well? In the first sleepover game of the night, let the kids get to know each other by passing around an ice breaker ball (or balloon), like this one from Things We’ve Handed Down. Before the party, write a bunch of get-to-know-you questions on the ball. Then pass the ball, and whoever catches it has to answer a question or two. Photo: Things We've Handed Down
Blanket Fort

Every slumber party needs a blanket fort. Cover the walls and couches with blankets and sheets like this one from Handmade by Kelly. The kids will feel nice and comfy as they play their sleepover games, but you’ll secretly know your couches and rugs will be protected from any accidental spills. Photo: Handmade by Kelly
Selfie Station

Transform a corner of your house into a selfie station with a streamer backdrop so each of the kids can document how much fun they are having on Instagram. Provide them with photo booth props like these printables from Kristen Duke Photography. The kids will have a blast taking silly photos together. Photo: Kristen Duke Photography
DIY Pillowcases

Buy pillowcases for each of the kids and pass out fabric markers so they can design their own pillowcases like these at Be a Fun Mum. The kids may even want to have their friends autograph them and take them home as a souvenir of the night. Photo: Be a Fun Mum
DIY Goofy Can Koozies

Instead of having cans of soda lying around the house not knowing whose is which, have each of your child’s guests design and create their own can koozie using self-adhesive craft foam like these from Momtastic.com. Photo: Momtastic
Friendship Bracelets

Supply the kids with plenty of beads, elastic, and embroidery string to make modern friendship bracelets like these from Momtastic.com. They can make their own or give them out to their BFFs. Photo: Momtastic
Dreamy Eye Mask Craft

This eye mask craft activity from Hello Glow is perfect for those slumber party guests that need their beauty sleep and want to zonk out early. Pass out felt, elastic, and of course sequins and let their imaginations run wild. Photo: Hello Glow