Wondering what to bring to sleepovers? Whether your kids are going to a camping backyard sleepover or an indoor blanket fort pajama party, check out our ultimate what to pack for a sleepover checklist, ideas, and tips!
WHAT TO BRING TO SLEEPOVERS FOR KIDS
Deciding things to bring to sleepovers can be tricky. There’s a fine line between packing too much for a child’s sleepover and then not packing for kids needs. Follow these slumber party tips to help make attending a sleepover a success!
Before we get to the sleepover list packing essentials…
Sleepover Tips for Packing
- Look to the sleepover host for direction on what kids need to bring to a sleepover. (If details aren’t on the slumber party invitation, don’t hesitate to reach out to the party host.)
- Ask the slumber party host if your child needs anything special. (Will they be playing outside? Do kids need sleeping bags?)
- Start with a good kid sleepover bag. You can even use the child’s school backpack if it’s roomy enough to hold everything. If not, use one of your weekend getaway duffles. (Just don’t send your kids stuff in a used grocery store bag!)
- Pack light! It’s only an overnight pajama party, so there’s no need to go crazy.
- Don’t forget to pack sleepover essentials like toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Ask your kid what one item they would like to take.
- Show your kids where everything is packed (or, better yet, let them pack). That way they won’t have to take everything out of their overnight bag to find one thing.
Kids Sleepover Bag
Before packing for a sleepover, you’ll want to start with good sleepover tote bags or even a roomy backpack. (You can even go as far as to get personalized sleepover bags so your kid’s stuff doesn’t get mixed up with others!) However, if your kids have a good backpack with different compartments, that will work well for a pajama party (especially if they’re only going for one night!). Kids overnight bags don’t have to be anything fancy (but they can be fun!).
OK! Let’s get to what to bring to a slumber party!
If you’re wondering what to bring to a sleepover for 12 year olds, 10 year olds, or teens, just adjust your list according to their age.
What To Bring To A Sleepover List
Here’s what to pack for a child’s sleepover!
17 Things To Pack For Your Child When Heading to a Slumber Party:
- Pillow
- Sleeping bag or blanket
- Sleepover pajamas (appropriate for the season)
- One full change of clothes
- Extra socks
- Extra underwear (accidents happen!)
- Favorite blanket or stuffed animal (lovey)
- Brush
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Bathroom necessities
- Single wrapped snack (if it’s OK with the pajama party host, bring one for everyone!)
- Water bottle filled with ice and water
- Small flashlight
- Phone and charger (if they have their own phone, if not, include a note with your phone number and email address in their bag)
- Book or small toy (in case they get bored or are awake when others sleep)
- Any special needs items or medications and directions for the sleepover parent host
- Special items your kids need for sleeping (you know, that one “non-scratchy” pillow case or Woof Woof the stuffed toy bunny)
SLEEPOVER TIP: Check out these cute childrens sleeping bag and pillow animal!
In addition to the list of essentials to pack for your child’s sleepover, sneak some fun slumber party items into your child’s bag!
Fun Things To Bring To A Sleepover
It’s always fun to tuck some extra surprises when packing a kid’s sleepover bag.
- Packaged treats like fruit snacks*
- Suckers*
- Card games
- Fun socks for everyone to enjoy at the pajama party*
- Mini bubbles* (check with the party host first!)
- Pack of inexpensive head lamps or mini flashlights
- Fun pajama party activity like a paper airplane pack or origami kit
- Light up party pack
*As always, check with the parenting hosting a sleepover before sending fun sleepover favors for everyone.
Better yet? Ask the parents having the sleepover if there’s anything special you can bring or help out with for slumber party food or snacks!
It helped me alot i wrote a list
Tysm! I’m going to a sleepover tonight and I did not know what to bring and I always forget stuff. So THANK YOU!
this list REALLY helped me a lot! Thank you so much Jackie!
So helpful, because this is my first one and before I felt like crying, now I felt strong and proud:) THANK YOU
Have fun!
Thanks so much! I usually forget things but this helped a lot!❤️
Thank you so much I haven’t been to a sleepover in awhile and I always wanna make sure I bring everything I need!
Thank you so much for this list, I’m having a sleepover with some of my closest friends who I haven’t seen in a while, and I was really panicking! This might be a no-brainer, but adding a small amount of cash [like a $10 or a $5] to you child’s [or your own!] bag might help, as if the adults plan to take the kids anywhere, the kids might wanna get something! Thank you again :))
Great input! I’ll add it to the list when I update it!
Thanks! I am hosting a sleepover soon and wanted to alert all guardians on what their child/children should bring.
This is a useful list but it is very bland. I love sleepovers and have them pretty often but I want to spice it up! Maybe something more specific like a game? But also put a specific game? Thanks!
Hi Beatrix, Thanks for the input! Did you check out the Easy White Chocolate Popcorn Recipe (Colored for Any Theme) or the Dill Pickle Party Mix recipes? Those are always big hits that we get emails about. I also love the idea of including some food games. I’ll work on that in the post update. Thanks!
Thanks so much, this is my first sleepover since Covid and I really wanted to make sure everyone and me had fun.
Have fun!
this helped so much thank you 😉
You’re welcome 🙂
yes, I’m going to my first sleepover tonight. very helpful
This helped a lot since I haven’t been to a sleepover in a long time. So this was really helpful.
Glad it helped!