How to Plan the Best Sleepover Birthday Party: DIY Ideas for an Unforgettable Night

When our daughter Aria turned nine, she had just one request: the best sleepover party ever! With a little creativity and planning, her big day turned into a night full of fun, laughter, and cherished memories. In this post, I’ll share how we customized her party, the activities we planned, and all the little details that made it so special.

Before we begin, don’t forget to grab your free party planner from my resource library! Click here to print one out and then come right back and we will dive into all the amazing DIY ideas to make your next slumber party the best sleepover party ever!

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Start with a Guest List

The first step in planning any party is deciding on the right number of guests. For Aria’s sleepover birthday party, we kept the group small and manageable with six friends, plus the birthday girl herself. A smaller group made it easier to plan personalized activities and ensure everyone had a great time.

Choose a Theme and Color Palette for the Sleepover

Once we had the guest list set, it was time to dive into Aria’s vision for the party. She picked a stunning color palette of teal, black, and silver, which became the foundation for the decorations, crafts, and overall vibe of the evening.

I found this adorable party decoration bundle on Amazon, and it worked perfectly with our theme! You can find it on Amazon by clicking here.

Set Up a Cozy Sleepover Party Space

Creating a comfortable and fun sleeping area was a top priority. Without a basement, we transformed our playroom into a cozy retreat. We borrowed a few extra mattresses and arranged them into a sleepover zone where the girls could settle in later.

To elevate the space, I went for a “tent” or “fort” vibe. Using sheer ribbon in the party colors, I draped it from the ceiling, starting in the middle and alternating colors. White string lights added a magical glow, and a pink disco ball from Five Below made the perfect centerpiece. This setup really set the tone for the party!

Plan Fun and Engaging Activities to Keep the Sleepover Party Going!

Keeping the girls entertained was key to avoiding any downtime or drama. I wanted to make sure the activities were interactive, creative, and memorable. Personalized party favors were also a big hit, and each guest received a customized basket filled with goodies to use throughout the night. Here’s what went into each basket:

• Personalized pillowcase
• Personalized hairbrush
• Nail file
• Personalized jar for sugar scrub
• Makeup brushes (2)
• Face mask
• Candy necklace
• Ring Pop

I personalized each item using my Cricut machine, which made the process super easy. If you love crafting, a Cricut is a must-have tool for projects like these, if you dont have one yet I highly recommend getting one! Click here to grab one on Amazon and make your next DIY project a breeze!

Create a Sleepover Party Schedule

To keep the night on track, I painted a thin piece of wood to create a sleepover schedule board. The girls loved checking it throughout the evening to see what activity was coming up next. Here’s how the night unfolded:

1. Personalized Pillowcase Decorating

The first activity was a favorite—decorating personalized pillowcases! I found great pillowcases for this activity on Amazon (find them here). The girls used fabric markers to draw, color, and design their own creations. It was a fun way for them to get creative and have something they could use that night. I prepped each pillowcase by cutting their names out of heat transfer vinyl (HTV) using my Cricut machine and ironing them on beforehand. These were the markers they used, Click here to find them on Amazon, the girls loved have so many colors to choose from and they were really nice to draw with.

2. DIY Sugar Scrub

Next up was making DIY body scrubs. Each girl found a personalized jar in her basket, ready to fill with a custom scrub. Using essential oils, the girls chose their favorite scents and had a blast creating their own spa-worthy products. While this activity was a bit messy, it was totally worth it!

3. Pizza, Cupcakes, and Presents

After crafting, it was the perfect time for dinner and dessert. We served pizza and cupcakes, followed by the gift-opening session. This break allowed the girls to refuel before diving into the next activity.

4. Glam Makeovers and Dance Party

Once everyone had eaten, it was time to get glammed up! I set up a “beauty station” with makeup palettes, nail polish, face masks, lip gloss, and clip-in hair extensions. The girls loved doing each other’s makeup and hair.

Find the Fairy hair Extensions here and the Colored extensions here, both on Amazon!

The makeovers led to a dance party! With karaoke and Twister on hand, the energy was electric. This party light I found on Amazon added the perfect touch, and the best part was, the light synced up with the music! You can find that light here on Amazon.

5. Movie Time

To wind down, the girls washed off their makeup using remover wipes and applied their face masks. Then, they snuggled into the cozy sleeping area for a movie night. We popped buckets of popcorn (these microwaveable popcorn buckets were perfect!) and set up a candy snack board filled with mini cookies, marshmallows, and candy. The girls settled in to watch Wonka and enjoyed every minute of it.

Final Thoughts

This sleepover birthday party was one for the books! From the personalized crafts to the glam makeovers and cozy movie night, every detail came together perfectly. Most importantly, the girls had a blast and made memories that will last a lifetime.

I hope this inspires you to plan your own amazing sleepover birthday party! With a little creativity, you can create a magical night that your child and their friends will never forget. Be sure to check out my post Best Kid’s Birthday Party Ideas: 6 Adorable Themes to Try for even more fun and creative party themes your kids will love!

Head over to my Resource Library to download your Ultimate Party Planning Guide—it’s the perfect way to simplify your party prep. Happy planning!