Wonderful Ideas To Help You Create a Magical Christmas Sleepover For Your Kids
If your kids are finding it hard to handle the “forever-ness” of waiting for Christmas, a Christmas-themed sleepover could be the perfect way to keep them entertained and excited in the days leading up to the big celebration.
Imagine a cosy night filled with twinkling fairy lights, warm hot chocolate brimming with marshmallows, and laughter as they enjoy holiday games with their besties... magical!
With a few clever flexes, you can turn any room into a festive wonderland where kids can enjoy the magic of Christmas even before Santa arrives.
From creating a cosy 'Santa’s Sleepover Spot' with cushions and fairy lights, to setting up a hot chocolate station with all their favourite toppings, there are so many ways to make it special.
Having hosted a few Christmas sleepovers myself, I’ve pulled together some of my favourite ideas and practical tips to help you plan a night your kids (and their friends!) will love.
It’s all about creating a holiday atmosphere filled with fun activities, delicious treats, and special memories that will make this Christmas feel even more magical.
How to Create the Ultimate Christmas Sleepover
Here’s your quick guide to crafting the ultimate Christmas sleepover.
Pick and choose the ideas that suit your style, and get ready to see their faces light up with festive joy!
Setting The Santascape
1. Getting Cosy
Whether you are planning for the kids to sleepover on in a child’s bedroom, the living room, or a den, there are plenty of ways you can create a cosy holiday vibe.
For bedrooms, add Christmas bedding, fairy lights, and perhaps a mini tree with a few baubles.
If using the living room, set up sleeping bags around the Christmas tree or create an “indoor camping” setup with blankets and a pop-up tent.
Drape string lights around, add Christmas-themed cushions, and scatter holiday plush toys for extra warmth and cosiness.
LED tea lights work super well as magical little nightlights (that are also totally safe!).
2. A Festive Welcome
Now, depending on how ahead you are with your Christmas decor, the entryway to your home may already be festooned.
However, that doesn't mean you can't make it just that little bit more magical for welcoming the sleepover guests...
How about adding a “Santa’s Workshop” or “Elf Retreat” (particularly good for a sleepover with pampering spa activities!!) sign at the door and having a small welcome gift for each guest?
I'm thinking holiday pyjamas, festive toothbrush kit or a reindeer headband could work well.
Festive Food and Snack Ideas
There is so much scope for fun with festive food and drink. Dive into these ideas and decide which you are going to bring to life at the sleepover.
1. Cosy Hot Chocolate Station
A hot chocolate station is a surefire way to create excitement.
Cleary you must have a Hot Chocolate Station sign! Something along the lines of one of these:
Set out a selection of toppings so that they are easy for little hands to grab. I think that small bowls tend to work better than Mason Jars for little kids.
And here's a list of some of the delicious treats you can have at the Hot Chocolate Station:
Toppings
- Mini Marshmallows
- Festive Marshmallow Shapes
- Whipped Cream
- Crushed Candy Canes
- Chocolate Shavings
- Edible Glitter
- Sugar Sprinkles
Syrups and Flavour Shots
- Caramel Syrup – For a creamy, sweet flavour.
- Peppermint Syrup – A classic Christmas flavour that adds a cool kick.
- Vanilla and Hazelnut Syrups – Adds a gentle sweetness to the cocoa.
- Butterscotch Drizzle – Great for that extra sweet holiday vibe.
- Chocolate Sauce – Drizzle on top or mix in for extra richness.
Adornments & Mix-Ins
- Candy Cane Stir Sticks
- Hot Chocolate Bombs
- Chocolate Spoons or Stir Sticks
- Mini Snowflake or Christmas Tree Cutouts (Edible)
- Mini Gingerbread Men
- Holiday Cookies
Want to go the extra mile?
How about having a set of plain white mugs and giving the kids festive stickers or porcelain markers to draw festive designs on.
Christmas Snack Boards
Snack boards are still HUGELY popular, especially with kids.
Arrange a selection of holiday treats like mini candy canes, gingerbread cookies, and chocolate-covered pretzels.
Balance the sweetness with savoury options like cheese cubes, crackers, and veggie sticks.
For a bit of zshush arrange the board in a wreath or Christmas tree shape, adding pops of colour with red and green treats to give it a festive look.
Here's a great roundup of Christmas themed snack boards:
DIY Christmas Cookie Decorating
Now this is a cross-over idea, that is both an activity and a sweet treat!
Whip up some sugar cookies or gingerbread shapes and then set them out with a selection of icing and toppings for kids to decorate.
Also read: Free 23 Page Christmas Planner Printable
Fun and Festive Games and Activities
Cookie decorating aside, here's some other ideas for things you could plan to make the sleepover super fun.
A Cosy Christmas Movie Night
Festoon the room where the TV is with blankets, pillows and twinkly festive lights. Then let the kids choose a holiday movie to watch.
Maybe a classic like Elf, The Grinch, The Polar Express or the ultimate Christmas movie (no, not Die Hard!!!)... Home Alone.
Serving popcorn is optional - but will no doubt go down very well!
Pin the Nose on Rudolph
This classic game gets a holiday twist with Pin the Nose on Rudolph.
It’s sure to bring out laughter as kids try to place Rudolph’s nose in the right spot! Download and print the game from our shop.
Holiday Craftiness
A crafting corner is a great way for kids to while away some time and make holiday keepsakes into the bargain.
Set up a table with simple activities like decorating baubles or everything they need to create their own Christmas cards. (See this brilliant roundup of Christmas card inspo).
Alternatively, if you want a calmer, less messy option, how about providing some holiday colouring sheets?
Christmas Games Bundle
For more variety for slightly older kids, use our Christmas Games Bundle. It has 22 festive games, including scavenger hunts, puzzles, and more.
Sleepover Carol Service
Who doesn't love a Christmas carol?! How about a Christmas carol sing-along with small jingle bells for each child?
Holiday Wish Tree
How about setting up a mini Christmas tree for the kids to add their Christmas wishes to?
You'll need some gift tags, string and pens for them to write their Christmas wishes on.
Unwind Before Sleep
Much as kids want to stay up all night on a sleepover, it really is best all round if they get some sleep!
One low-effort way of doing this is to have them listen to an audiobook, I'm thinking The Night Before Christmas is a good choice!
Before you go, you might also like...
- Christmas Movie Bucket List
- Awesome Group Games For Teens At Christmas
- Quick Fire Christmas Would You Rather Questions
- Simple Ways To Make Christmas Memorable For All The Family
- Christmas Family Bucket List
- Fun Christmas Eve Activities For All The Family
- Fun Christmas Pictionary Ideas (With Word Lists)
