30 Super-Fun Activities for Sleepovers Kids Will Talk About for Days

Planning a sleepover party and wondering about how to keep the kids entertained? Well, worry not, because you're in the right place. This guide I've put together gives you 30 activities that work for different ages, energy levels, and group sizes.

There are brief instructions for each activity, plus tips on timing and what supplies you actually need. 

I've broken the activities up into categories too, just to make it super easy for you to pick and choose... yep, fear not, you only need to choose two or three from this list!

Also read: My complete guide to hosting a sleepover for kids

High-Energy Activities (Perfect for Early Evening)

Start with these when everyone's still buzzing with excitement. They're loud, active, and best done before you need to think about neighbours.

Get Them Moving Around

Get them moving around to burn off some of the excitement and energy around being on an actual sleepover!!

Donut Bobbing Challenge
Tie donuts to strings and hang them at mouth height. Kids have to eat them hands-free. Use cake donuts – they hold together better than glazed ones.

Face Cookie Race
Give each child a small biscuit to place on their forehead. They have to get it into their mouth using only facial muscles. Oreos work perfectly for this.

Twister Tournament
Set up a bracket system if you have more than four kids. Winners move on until you crown a champion.

Jazz Hands And Star Turns

Talent Show Extravaganza
Give kids 30 minutes to prepare an act. Set up a "stage" area with good lighting. Film everything – parents love these videos.

Movie Making Workshop
Hand out phones or tablets and let groups of 2-3 create short films. Give them themes like "zombie apocalypse" or "cooking disaster." You'll be amazed at their creativity.

Karaoke Competition
Rent a machine or use a karaoke app. Create categories like "best duet" or "most dramatic performance" so everyone wins something.

Creative Activities (Great for Mid-Evening)

Once the initial excitement settles, switch to activities that let them create something special.

Cute DIY Projects

Design Your Own Pillowcase
Buy plain pillowcases and fabric markers. Each child decorates one to take home. It doubles as a party favour and keeps them busy for ages.

Friendship Bracelet Station
Set up a table with embroidery thread, beads, and simple pattern cards. YouTube has great tutorial videos if you need backup.

DIY Photo Booth Creation
Give them cardboard, markers, and craft supplies to make their own props. Then let them go wild taking photos with their creations.

Sleepover Fort Building
Provide sheets, blankets, cushions, and clips. Let each child or small group build their own sleeping space. This becomes their base for the rest of the night.

Kitchen Art

Personal Pizza Workshop
Buy mini pizza bases and set out toppings in bowls. Everyone creates their own masterpiece. Much less messy than full pizza making.

Cupcake Decorating Station
Bake cupcakes beforehand and set up icing, sprinkles, and decorating tools. Cover your table with plastic – trust me on this one.

S'mores Assembly Line
If you can't do a campfire, use your oven's grill function. Set up an assembly station with all the ingredients ready to go.

Also read: 14 Mega Fun Sleepover Games That Will Have Kids Giggling All Night

Chill-Out Activities (Perfect for Winding Down)

As the evening progresses, you'll need quieter activities that still keep everyone engaged.

Games That Don't Need Much Space

Two Truths and a Lie
Each person shares three statements about themselves – two true, one false. Everyone guesses the lie. Great for kids who don't know each other well.

Murder in the Dark
Turn off lights in one room. One person is the detective, one is the murderer, everyone else are victims. The murderer "kills" by tapping shoulders silently.

Charades with a Twist
Use categories like "movies we've all seen" or "things teachers say." Write suggestions on paper beforehand to avoid awkward pauses. 

Spa and Pampering Activities

Mini Spa Session
Set up stations for face masks, nail painting, and foot soaks. Use gentle, kid-friendly products. Cucumber slices for eyes are always a hit.

Hair Braiding Circle
Someone who knows basic braids can teach the others. YouTube tutorials work great here too. They'll spend ages practising on each other.

DIY Foot Spa
Fill washing up bowls with warm water, add bubble bath and a few drops of essential oil. Scatter some rose petals if you're feeling fancy.

Movie Magic

Sometimes you need activities that don't require your constant supervision. These work perfectly.

Movie Night Ideas

Themed Movie Marathon
Pick a theme like "movies with talking animals" or "films set in space." Prepare themed snacks to match.

Create Your Own Film Festival
Let kids vote on 2-3 movies from a pre-approved list. Make "tickets" and "programmes" for the full cinema experience.

Classic Movie Introduction
Show them films you loved as a child. The Princess Bride, Goonies, or Matilda often work well across age groups.

Quiet Individual Activities

Board Game Stations
Set up 3-4 different games around the room. Kids can rotate between them as they finish or get bored.

Minute to Win It Challenges
Create stations with different one-minute challenges. Stack cups, move cookies from forehead to mouth, or balance books on heads.

There are three Minute To Win It Challenges in our Sleepover Bundle. 

Journal Writing Time
Give each child a small notebook to write about their sleepover experience. They can illustrate it too.

Late Night Wind-Down (For the Final Hours)

By now, some kids might be getting tired (though they'll never admit it). These activities work well in dim lighting.

Storytelling Circle
Start a story and let each person add one sentence before passing it on. The results are usually hilarious.

Gentle Yoga or Stretching
Find a kid-friendly yoga video online. Even 10 minutes helps them settle down.

Quiet Drawing Time
Provide paper and coloured pencils. Let them draw their favourite part of the sleepover or create comic strips.

Whispered Secrets Game
Sit in a circle and share age-appropriate secrets or funny stories in whispers. It naturally creates a calmer atmosphere.

Top Tips for Activity Success

Timing Is Everything
Plan 2-3 activities per hour, but stay flexible. Some will last longer than expected, others will flop completely.

Have Backup Plans
Keep 3-4 simple activities in your back pocket. Card games, colouring books, or simple craft supplies work as emergency entertainment.

Rotate Energy Levels
Follow high-energy activities with calmer ones. Kids need time to reset between excitement peaks.

Prepare Supplies in Advance
Set up activity stations before guests arrive. Nothing kills momentum like searching for supplies mid-activity.

Know When to Step Back
Sometimes kids create their own entertainment. If they're happy and safe, let them lead their own fun.

The key to sleepover success isn't having the most elaborate activities, it's having enough variety to match different moods and energy levels throughout the night. With this list, you're ready for whatever the evening brings.

Good luck, I hope the sleepover is a massive success!

Before you go, you might also like... 

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