53 Cool Things To Do at a Sleepover in 2025 (for All Ages)
Planning a sleepover might feel like a lot. It might seem like you need to plan 100 things to do at a sleepover (or even 500 things to do at a sleepover!), but that’s not really the case. There are only so many hours in the night — and honestly, you might even sleep through a few of them. So you don’t need a huge list to keep the fun going. A handful of games, some easy entertainment and good food? You’re set.
Sleepovers aren’t going anywhere, but the age when kids start going to them? That’s changed. According to Loudoun Pediatrics, there’s no magic number. It really depends on your kid’s ability to speak up, set boundaries and handle an emergency. Some families are ready in third or fourth grade, others wait until middle school. The best sign? Your kid feels confident being away from home and you feel confident they can handle it.
That said, sleepovers definitely aren’t just for kids. They’re something you can enjoy at any age. As you’ll see from our list of things to do at sleepovers, some picks are better suited to grown-ups anyway.
Jump to Section
- Fun Things to Do at a Sleepover for Foodies
- Creative Things to Do at a Sleepover for Adults
- Best Things to Do at a Sleepover for Teens
- Scary Things to Do at a Sleepover
- Themed Sleepover Party Ideas
- Simple Things to Do at a Sleepover for BFFs
- Active Things to Do at a Slumber Party
Fun Things to Do at a Sleepover for Foodies
1. Cook With Friends
Turn your sleepover into a foodie night by signing up for an online cooking class. You’ll get to hang out in the kitchen, follow along with a live chef and whip up something way more exciting than microwave popcorn. Pick a cuisine you and your besties love and create a dinner that will be far more delicious than your standard takeout. If your sleepover is leaning towards a summer party theme, you could go with a fresh appetiser menu, sushi or even gourmet salads.
2. Toss and Top Pizzas
Make-your-own pizza night never disappoints and you won’t need a chef to help pull pizza together. For a pizza party, all you will need is some pre-made dough, sauces, cheeses and toppings — from the usual to the weird. Some people actually like pineapple on the pizza. Then let everyone shape their own crust and personalise their toppings. Everyone gets a pizza they love, and the combination of toppings will spark conversation and make for a memorable, fun evening. A pizza party never fails when you’re looking for things to do on your birthday or things to do with friends. After all, everyone loves pizza.
3. Make It Taco Tuesday
It doesn’t have to be Tuesday to enjoy tacos. You can turn any night into taco night. To make it even more fun, set up a build-your-own taco bar with an assortment of hard and soft taco shells, various meat fillings and a creative range of toppings and let guests prepare their own. Take it a step further with mocktails, a piñata or themed party games for adults and you’ve got yourself a theme party idea that just took your sleepover south of the border.
4. Bake Some Cookies
Cookies and sleepovers seem to belong together. Keep it simple with an easy sugar cookie recipe or go all out with something special, like chocolate chip, snickerdoodle or macarons. To make a truly memorable girls' night ideas bring out the sprinkles, icing and edible glitter and make decorating the cookies part of the fun. Or skip the glitter and go all-in on melty chocolate and warm cookie dough. Either way, your kitchen will smell amazing.
5. Set Up a Hot Chocolate Station
When it’s cold outside and you’re searching for warmer, cosier things to do at a sleepover, a hot chocolate station is your best bet. Use a slow cooker or kettle, and set out whipped cream, marshmallows, candy canes, cinnamon and anything else you’d usually save for the holidays. Pair this idea with cookie-making and you’re set for the night.
6. Host a Glow Stick Dinner
Looking for a fun thing to do at a sleepover for your creative foodie friends? Put a twist on the usual dinner routine with a glow-in-the-dark meal. Kill the lights, hand out glow necklaces and serve up your favorite comfort food by the glow of neon. The limited lighting makes everyone rely more on their senses of taste, smell and touch and less on their ever-trusted sense of sight.
According to Ask The Scientist, creating an atmosphere where multiple senses work together simultaneously can stimulate brain activity. So if you think you’ll be looking for things to do when you’re bored at your sleepover — not likely — put this one on the list.
7. Create a Cupcake Bar
Not all foodies are adults. If you’re looking for a birthday party idea for teens that is different from the traditional cake, what are some options? The answer is cupcakes. Cupcakes are already fun, but a DIY cupcake bar turns dessert into an activity. Bake a batch of simple vanilla or chocolate cupcakes and set up a DIY bar with frosting, candies, crushed cookies, edible glitter and whatever else you can find.
You can challenge your guests with a friendly competition. Think scariest cupcake, most over-the-top or most likely to collapse. You choose if you want prizes or if bragging rights will do.
8. Serve Pancakes in PJs
Don’t forget about breakfast. After a night of giggling, snacking and maybe sleeping a little, you’ll have a group of hungry friends to feed for breakfast.
A pancake breakfast is probably one of the most appropriate things to do at a sleepover, the morning after. Stack the table with toppings like fruit, whipped cream, chocolate chips and syrup, and let everyone build their own plate. Pajamas will still be mandatory. Add coffee for the grown-ups and hot cocoa for the kids, and your sleepover goes out on a high note.
Creative Things to Do at a Sleepover for Adults
9. Mix and Serve Fun Drinks
While mixing cocktails is a fun thing to do at a sleepover for adults, it doesn’t rule out the kids. Just turn them into mocktails. After all, mixing drinks together is a fun way to start the night and it gets the conversation flowing.
Need a little help? Online mixology classes can help guide you through the process. A skilled mixologist will guide you and your friends through a tour of beverages, including alcoholic varieties and mocktails. All you will need to do is pre-purchase the ingredients.
10. Paint and Sip With Friends
Paint-and-sip nights are basically made for sleepovers. Set up easels in the living room, pour your favorite drinks and see who ends up with the weirdest masterpiece. It’s one of those things to do at a sleepover that allows your friends to unleash their inner artists. You can follow an online tutorial or just go rogue and let your creativity take over. Either way, the combo of paint, wine and late-night giggles is hard to beat.
11. Rock and Roll All Night
Break out the karaoke machine or an old version of Rock Band on your favorite console, and get everyone involved in the fun. Then pretend you are your favorite guitarist from the 80s, a popular singer from the 90s or a current-day pop legend in the making as you belt out tunes or strum your instrument. Schedule it for late in the night when everyone is feeling relaxed to really get people singing. It’s one of those things to do at a sleepover that will have people talking the next day.
12. Play Never Have I Ever
Nothing gets the group talking like a round of “Never Have I Ever.” Grab some snacks, circle up on the floor and let the confessions begin.
It’s simple, it’s hilarious, and it’s usually a fast track to unexpected stories and inside jokes you’ll be laughing about long after the sleepover ends.
Don’t want to make it a drinking game? No problem. Have each person hold up five fingers. Select one friend to begin the game. That person will say, "Never have I ever," followed by something they have never experienced. Anyone in the circle who has done that particular thing must lower one finger.
The turn then moves to the next person in the circle, who will share their "Never have I ever" statement. The game continues, with each participant developing a new statement on their turn. No fingers left standing? You’re out.
13. Enjoy a Movie Night
When you’ve hit peak chill mode, movie night is always a win. Queue up a selection of your favorite flicks or browse the movie offerings online, pop some popcorn and invite everyone to get comfy in the living room. Bonus points if you all wear matching pajamas.
14. Balloon Tennis, Anyone?
This one’s silly, but that’s the point. Blow up a few balloons, grab some hairdryers or paper plates on sticks, and challenge your friends to indoor balloon tennis. Add more hairdryers for some team competition. Make up your own rules — or none at all.
15. Build Beauty Products
Does your list of things to do at a sleepover include getting glamorous? Instead of buying face masks or bath bombs, why not make your own? Set up a few mini stations with ingredients for custom masks, bath bombs, lipsticks or even DIY perfumes. Light some candles, turn on chill music and pretend you’re at the spa.
Best Things to Do at a Sleepover for Teens
16. Hide Items for a Scavenger Hunt
Build a scavenger hunt for an easy yet popular thing to do at a sleepover for teens. Hide items around the house and hand out clues to guide their search. If you’ve got a larger group, split into teams and race to see who finds everything first. Reward the winners with something fun, like first dibs on dessert or a mystery prize.
17. Swap Clothes With Friends
Everyone loves fashion and finding a bargain, so why not turn your living room into a pop-up thrift shop? Have everyone bring clothes they don’t wear anymore, then swap, try on outfits and do a mini fashion show. Everyone will have fun trying on each other’s clothes and building their new wardrobe out of items someone else no longer uses. As far as things to do at a sleepover go, this one is perhaps the most practical.
18. Play Retro Video Games
Go old-school with games like Pac-Man, Tetris or Mario Kart. You can take turns, go tournament-style or just cheer each other on. Bonus points if someone shows up with a vintage console.
19. Make Over Your Friends
Bring out the makeup and give each other makeovers — goofy, glam or themed. It’s perfect for a Barbie theme party. Set out a selection of lipsticks, blushes and eye shadows in fun colors. Ensure that everyone has clean brushes to use.
Your teen guests can try out wild eyeshadow looks, test bold lipsticks or just play around and learn together. If you’re looking for things to do at a sleepover for 13-year-olds? This should be your go-to. Young teens are just discovering makeup, and they’re sure to enjoy sampling products and testing them out on their friends. Don’t forget to include a supply of make-up removal cloths or facial cleanser at each station to use after the fun is done.
20. Test Out TikTok
Teenagers love TikTok sensations, so why not plan things to do at a sleepover that encourage them to act like their idols? Gather all the party guests and film a mob-style dance video with your smartphone. Assign someone to film, hit record and see how many takes it takes to get it right (or at least funny enough to post).
Bright outfits, matching accessories and a good playlist make it even better. And who knows, you might accidentally go viral.
21. Pamper the Teens
Pamper your teens with gift spa items and give everyone their own mini spa kit as a sleepover favor. Think fuzzy socks, sheet masks, lip balm and maybe a cute sleep shirt. They can use them during the sleepover or save them for later.
22. Go Swimming
If you’ve got access to a pool, take the party outside with a pool party. Night swims with glow sticks and music can be super chill, or kick things off in the morning with rafts and floats. Add lemonade, music and fun towels for a summer sleepover vibe. It’s even better if the pool fits your birthday decoration ideas.
23. Pretty Up Your Fingernails
Play “Spin the Nail Polish” by lining up a bunch of wild polish colors and spinning a bottle to decide which one you have to use. No backing out. It’s a fun spin — pun intended — on Spin the Bottle. It’s silly, creative and perfect for younger teens who want something fun and light. Pair it with snacks and a movie after and you’ll be set for the night with things to do at a sleepover.
Scary Things to Do at a Sleepover
24. Share Ghost Stories
Turn off the lights, grab a flashlight and take turns swapping spooky stories. They can be real, made up or borrowed from the internet. The art of a truly scary ghost story is in its delivery. A little suspense, a well-timed scream and some creaky floorboards in the background will give everyone goosebumps (and maybe make bedtime a little harder).
25. Solve a Murder Mystery
Host your own whodunit night. It creates a night of suspense and intrigue. Assign characters, hand out clues and let everyone get suspicious. You can DIY it or grab a ready-made murder mystery kit. Throughout the evening, guests interrogate each other, uncover clues and piece together the puzzle to solve these fun murder mystery games. Add costumes and creepy music to set the mood and don’t forget the snacks.
26. Carve Pumpkins
If it’s fall, bring out the pumpkins. Set up a carving station with scoops, stencils and tea lights, then let everyone design their own creepy creation. Once they’re all glowing, turn off the lights and line them up for maximum spooky effect.
27. Snack on Ghoulish Treats
Create a creepy snack table with ghost-shaped cookies, vampire bite cupcakes, creepy witch finger mozzarella sticks and popcorn drizzled with "blood" red caramel.
It’s equal parts tasty and terrifying. Pair it with a horror movie marathon or ghost story night and you’ll have your guests doing a double-take.
28. Dress Up in Costumes
No need to wait for Halloween. Have everyone come in costume and stage a mini fashion show or photo session. Think ghostly figure, a wicked witch or a classic monster.
Hand out prizes and host some themed games and everyone will be either scared silly, or just laughing silly.
29. Converse With a Ouija Board
Feeling brave? Break out the Ouija board and see who’s bold enough to ask the spirits a question. If you’re looking for creepy things to do at a sleepover, this is your best bet. It’s creepy, mysterious, and often pushes boundaries. Maybe don’t play it right before bed — unless you want to sleep with the lights on. Are you game enough to play with your Ouija board in a cemetery?
30. Escape the Room Together
Turn your living room into a DIY escape room. Hide clues, create puzzles and give your group a time limit to solve the mystery. If you need some help, try a virtual escape room.
31. Prepare Potions
Want to add a mysterious element to a spooky evening? Set up a “witchy” potions bar with glitter, food coloring, herbs, oils and cute bottles. Let everyone mix their own magical brews (real or pretend). It's a little bit science experiment and a little bit crafty.
Themed Sleepover Party Ideas
32. Glow-Themed Party
Host a sleepover where everything and everyone in the room glows in the dark. Hand out glow sticks, flip on the blacklights and let everything shine. You can paint t-shirts with neon paints, play glow bowling or have a glow-in-the-dark dance-off.
33. Dress Up Like Barbie
Why not make it a themed sleepover? Host a pink-powered Barbie night. Plan for an all-pink affair with Barbie-themed backdrops, balloon garlands and a Barbie box photo booth. Play music from the Barbie movie soundtrack in the background, and maybe even make it a pool party to add to the fun.
34. Save the Universe
A superhero-themed sleepover is an easy win for both boys and girls. Have guests come dressed as their favorite heroes and decorate with comic-style signs. Spend part of the evening watching your favorite Marvel movies and let Spider-Man, The Hulk and the X-Men save your sleepover.
35. Head Out on Safari
Turn your living room into the wild with stuffed animals, safari-themed decorations and fake plants or trees for greenery. Guests can embark on an imaginary journey through the savannah, donning safari hats and binoculars as they explore the untamed wilderness. It’s great for the little explorers.
Make it even more fun with some safari-themed things to do at a sleepover, like scavenger hunts for hidden "wildlife," animal-themed crafts like making jungle masks or creating safari dioramas. End with storytelling around a tabletop campfire about thrilling safari encounters.
36. Fly Like the Fairies
Create a dreamy fairy garden indoors with twinkle lights, gossamer curtains, light and airy sleepover tents and delicate fairy ornaments. Guests can wear wings and flower crowns, craft wands and even learn some fairy dances or “fairy spells.” Throw in some sleepover games, like "Pin the Wing on the Fairy" or "Fairy Treasure Hunt.”
37. Step Back in Time
Pick a decade — the 60s, the 70s or a neon-soaked '80s theme party — and build your sleepover around it. Costumes, music, throwback snacks and classic movies bring the whole theme together. The evening will feel like you are stepping into a time machine, transporting guests to a bygone era filled with nostalgia and charm.
The soundtrack for the evening can feature classic hits from the chosen era and don’t forget some nostalgic sleepover games like Twister, charades or even a movie marathon featuring decade-appropriate flicks.
38. Invite Your Favorite Teddy Bear
Perfect for a first sleepover. Have guests bring their favorite stuffed animals, then build blanket forts, read stories and serve teddy bear–themed snacks. The room can be adorned with teddy bear decorations, plush blankets, cozy makeshift tents and piles of pillows for a snuggly ambiance. For some extra fun things to do at a sleepover, include some teddy bear crafts like decorating mini teddy bear t-shirts for when the stories run out.
39. Sing Like Taylor Swift
If your guests are Swifties, go all in with a Taylor Swift themed party. Decorate with lyrics and album covers and include some sleepover games inspired by her music and love life; every detail can reflect the spirit of Taylor Swift's world. Of course, there will be lots of singing of her greatest hits, so don’t forget the “Miss Americana” mini awards show at the end to crown the winner.
Simple Things to Do at a Sleepover for BFFs
40. Spend the Evening Talking
Sometimes, you just need a night alone with your best friend filled with talking, sharing secrets and asking for advice. Plan not to overplan things to do at the sleepover and spend the night chatting under the blankets. Put away the phones, grab snacks and stay up talking about anything and everything.
41. Pretend You Are an Artist
Pull out the craft bin and go wild. Paint, glue, glitter, pom-poms, sewing, whatever you have. You might create resin dice for your next role-playing adventure, craft vinyl cutouts for t-shirts, build a fun collage or sew a simple skirt. It’s not about the finished product. It’s about making a mess, being creative and maybe discovering a new hobby together.
42. Bond Over Board Games
Dig out some two-player games and settle in for a little friendly competition. Think card games, Codenames, A Little Wordy by Exploding Kittens or Mantis Falls. It’s simple and with a few snacks, you’ll be set for the night.
43. Mask Up and Relax
Make homemade face masks with stuff from the fridge. Think yogurt, avocados, eggs, oatmeal and sugar. Then, apply the masks and relax with some cucumbers over your eyes. If you’re not sure, look online for some face mask recipes.
44. Snap Photos for the 'Gram
Photo booths are all the rage at the moment. So why not set up a mini photo booth with fun props, backdrops or just good lighting? Then take turns staging funny, dramatic or aesthetic shots. You’ll have plenty of photographic evidence left after the evening.
45. Fight With Pillows
Channel your inner child with a good old-fashioned pillow fight. Take it up a notch with glow-in-the-dark pillowcases, which double as fun keepsakes. As the fluffy battle ensues, keep the energy high and serve delicious snacks themed around feathers. It will make for a night to remember full of laughter and flying feathers.
46. Try on Temporary Tattoos
If you and your bestie have always wanted to get matching tattoos but are not quite ready for the commitment, try temporary tattoos instead. It’s fun, sentimental and completely commitment-free. Companies like Inkbox even have options where you can design your tattoo, and they will ship it to you. The tattoos last up to a week, so you can be matchy-matchy — for a short time anyway.
47. Fingerpaint Portraits
Forget fancy supplies. Grab some paint and use your fingers to make portraits of each other. Go abstract or just ridiculous. If you’re actively looking for things to do at a sleepover, that will make a mess. Finger painting’s got you covered.
Active Things to Do at a Slumber Party
48. Hide and Seek With Friends
Yep — still fun. Turn off the lights, set ground rules and play hide-and-seek around the house. It’s surprisingly thrilling, even as a teen or adult. Just don’t forget to check behind the shower curtain.
49. Skip, Hop and Race in Sleeping Bags
Want things to do at a sleepover that guarantee the fun? The answer is sleeping bag races. Line up, zip in and race. It’s silly, energetic and nearly impossible to do without laughing. Great for backyard parties or large living rooms, just make sure the floors are clear before launching yourself across the room.
50. Dance the Night Away
Turn up the energy and create a night of fun with a dance party. Your guests can let loose and show off their best dance moves, grooving to their favorite tunes and letting the rhythm guide them. From freestyle to TikTok routines to dance-offs, there’s no wrong way to move.
51. Throw Water Balloons
If it’s warm outside, water balloon games always go down well. Fill a bunch in advance, split into teams and let the backyard chaos begin. The joy of dodging incoming balloons will make this one of the most exciting things to do at a sleepover.
52. Bounce on Trampolines
Whether it’s a giant backyard trampoline or mini ones set up indoors, jumping is the perfect way to burn energy. Encourage guests to bounce to the music or act out dance and acrobatic themes. You’ll have everyone bouncing, flipping and spinning the night away.
53. Tackle an Indoor Obstacle Course
Build a course using pillows, chairs, blankets and anything else you have on hand. Every corner presents a new test of agility and skill, from crawling through tunnels and balancing on makeshift beams to hopping over cushions and dodging falling obstacles. For those who choose not to participate, watching and cheering on your friends can be just as much fun.
You don’t need 500 things to do at a sleepover — just a few good ideas, some snacks and the right people. Whether you’re hosting for kids, teens or grown-ups, the best nights are the ones with a mix of creativity, comfort and maybe a little chaos. Combine your favorites, skip the ones that don’t fit, or come up with something totally original. The only rule? Keep it fun.
For even more fun things to do at sleepovers, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!
