Sleepovers are a long-standing tradition for kids, but I feel like video games have taken over so much, that alternative activities are needed. Some will require a trip to the dollar store to set up, while others will use things you find around the house. You decide how much time and effort you want to put in and go from there.
1. Shaving Cream Balloons
Water balloons plus shaving cream look like the perfect mess for some backyard fun. While some girls may be into this, I think boys will definitely enjoy this one.
Learn more: Totally the Bomb
2. Tiny Bow and Arrows
3. Duct Tape Swords and Shields
What a cool thing to make and then play with! These are the perfect way to spend time with friends. They may not be the most durable but will do the trick for a slumber party.
Learn more: 30 Minute Crafts
4. Glow in the Dark Bowling
I love this idea. A soccer ball or equivalent would be best to be able to knock down these bright pins. All you need are some water bottles and glow sticks for the pins. I would reuse water bottles, rather than use fresh ones myself.
Learn more: Kix Cereal
5. Spinning Nerf Targets
I'm going to have to build this tomorrow so my son will stop shooting me with Nerf Darts. I would let the kids decorate the targets and then set them up. Finally, a way for kids to have a Nerf Gun battle without shooting each other.
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6. Football Tarp Game
How much fun is this?! Kids will definitely love seeing who can get the highest score in this football game. This could also be used as a carnival-style game.
Learn more: The Red-Headed Hostess
7. Nail Polish "Spin the Bottle"
This is a new take on spin the bottle that I can get on board with. Print out the spinner template, get 8 bottles of nail polish, and spin away. Whichever polish bottle you land on, is what you paint your nails with.
Learn more: One Creative Mommy
8. Pillow Fight
You can't have a slumber party without this classic game. I love the pillowcases in this link and there are many other great ideas here as well. Kids can also design their own pillow case using fabric markers beforehand, to add to the fun.
Learn more: Hostess with the Mostess
9. Bigfoot Game
What a fun game and a fresh idea. See who can walk furthest with these giant feet. I could see this game being played for more than just sleepovers. Bigfoot has been a character in many campfire stories and this game brings them to life.
Learn more: Get Your Holiday
10. Sour Patch Kid Game
This game takes elements from classic sleepover games but includes candy. Grab the candy and do the task assigned to the color. You could also use a bowl of Skittles or M&M's if that's what is preferred by the participants.
Learn more: Olive the Pickle
11. Scavenger Hunt
Many years ago, I worked in a restaurant that was attached to a mall. Teens and adults would frequently come in looking for things as part of a scavenger hunt. I love that this one doesn't require kids to go far to gather the items on the list and that it comes with the printable list.
Learn more: Mom of 6
12. M.A.S.H.
Talk about a classic slumber party game, except that this version comes with a retro template. If you don't want to print this out, you can just use a slip of paper. M.A.S.H was a favorite game when I was a kid. It's an entertaining game that won't make a mess.
Learn more: A Girl and A Glue Gun
13. Musical Sleeping Bags
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A new take on a classic party game. The picture shows their heads in the center of the circle, which at first I thought would make things more difficult, but it's probably done for safety so no heads or hair are stepped on. This will quickly become a favorite slumber party game.
Learn more: Ultimate Camp Resource
14. Tin Foil and Toilet Paper Fashion Show
Have you ever played a similar game at a bridal shower? I have and it was tons of fun. What makes this game exciting is that kids can be as creative as they like. You may just have a future fashion designer in your house.
Learn more: Come Together Kids
15. Funniest Photo
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See who can take the funniest picture, using these photo props. Photo booths have been all the rage lately, so kids have a lot of practice doing this. It's a take on a dress-up game for older kids, who are too cool for it in the traditional sense. You're bound to end up with some crazy photos.
Learn more: Oh Happy Day
16. Sardines
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Another game that takes a classic and turns it on its head. One person hides and everyone else counts and seeks the hidden person. I love this twist on this classic kids' game!
Learn more: Group Games
17. This or That
All you need is a piece of paper for this game. Just print out the questions and the kids do the rest. It is not your average slumber party activity, but one that is low risk and can be tons of fun.
Learn more: Hobby Lark
18. Exquisite Corpse
The name sounds much worse than it really is, promise. I would have the kids work in groups of 3. One draws the head, then folds it down, the second draws the body, then folds it down and finally the third draws the legs. After that, you open the folds and see what your person looks like and whichever team is the funniest, wins.
Learn more: MSLK
19. Post-it Game
Work in pairs for this fun game. One covers the other in post-it notes and then they must shake the post-its off, no hands allowed. Whoever gets them off first, wins. There's a video with this one to show just how much fun it can be.
Learn more: Promise Kid City
20. Escape the Room
Pick which one you like and print it for free! All you need are the papers and a phone for most of them. Kids love to escape the room and they are an enjoyable group game.
Learn more: Escape Team
21. Toss and Talk Game
I remember going to a slumber party once where I didn't know most of the girls there and wish we had played a game like this one. Simply take a beach ball and toss it around. Tell the person catching it to answer the question under their left index finger, for example, and they answer if they feel comfortable doing so. I would set a rule that no one is forced to answer, but also make sure that they are fun, silly questions to encourage participation.
Learn more: More than Elementary
22. Spy Training
This is a cool slumber party game for younger kids. You can use tape or crepe paper streamers to create lazers and let kids figure out how to get through. Time them to see who gets it done the fastest.
Learn more: Everything I Do is All for the Boys
23. Blind Make-over Game
This idea had come up multiple times during my search, but just reading the directions wasn't making sense to me until I found this video. Blind make-overs are a silly take on the classic make-overs done at sleepover parties for generations. You just need some basic make-up items, but be mindful of allergies.
Learn more: Jenn McAllister
24. Flashlight Scavenger Hunt
Here's a fun take on a scavenger hunt that you play in the dark with flashlights. You can even play it inside with the lights off, but I see this working well outside if you have a decent size property or safe neighborhood where the neighbors are on board.
Learn more: Life is Sweeter by Design
25. Balloon Charades
Pop that balloon to find out what you have to act out. You'll need to divide the players into teams of two and whichever team gets the most correct answers, wins. Maybe make creative ways to pop the balloons part of the game to add to the fun.
Learn more: Ultimate Camp Resource
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