Guide to Second Grade Sleepovers

So I did a thing last month. I hosted a sleepover for my daughter’s eighth birthday. And let me just say . . . it didn’t go as I had imagined. It was absolutely insane. Seriously.

And so, as a courtesy, I have created your “Guide to Second Grade Sleepovers.”

First, know that 3 p.m. is way too early to start a girls’ sleepover!

The screaming commenced immediately. I tried to keep the girls outside to run off some energy, but no. They needed to repeatedly enter through the front door, or the back door, and retreat out the garage door, making circles through the house.

Second, remove all Nerf guns from the house prior to the party. Nerf darts were flying all over the place as my son joined in the chaotic play. I caught quite a few darts to my own body, even one to the face!

Next, Bingo is a great game to play. I used an online website to randomly generate the numbers, and the girls covered their cards (that my daughter had handmade) with pennies. This held their attention for a good 15 minutes. Prizes from the Dollar Store were handed out, and everyone was happy. And calm.

But just as soon as the game began, it ended, and pandemonium ensued again.

Some girls wanted to watch a movie, while some wanted to play outside. I was able to coax all of the girls inside to watch the movie, but halfway in, their attention was lost, and I decided it was time for the next activity- beading bracelets. This also went fairly well, and the beads that littered my dining room table and hardwood floors afterward . . . . well, those were really no big deal . . . .

The girls then retreated to the outdoors once again to play. And I needed wine . . . all of the wine . . . .

Cooking pizzas for dinner was also a great idea– easy to bake, and all the kids liked pizza.

This worked well. Besides the fact that I ended up with unicorn paper plates all over my kitchen and dining room, outside on the playset, and pretty much everywhere!

As far as cupcakes, minimal icing would be your best bet. Some of the girls, my son included, pretended the icing was lipstick and got it all over their little faces. I wiped up cupcake icing and crumbs from all over the place!

Before the sleepover, I had decided it would be a great idea to have the girls make their own bath bombs. Let me just say, if you get one thing out of reading this, this is it: JUST SAY NO TO BATH BOMBS.  One Amazon bath bomb kit and six kids later (yes, my son wanted to make one too), my house was covered in bath bomb mix of all different colors. And glitter. Who the heck thought glitter was a good idea?! I mean, I’m just like the next girl. I love sparkle and shine. But glitter? It’s the darn devil. I’m sure I’ll be getting the glitter out of my house for years now.

Bedtime at 8 p.m. was a fabulous idea.

I finally got the girls situated in the living room in their various Frozen and mermaid-patterned sleeping bags and turned on another movie. Some didn’t take long to fall asleep. Others . . . not so much. It was 1 a.m. when I finally went out to the living room for the last time and demanded the last two girls awake get inside their sleeping bags and GO. TO. SLEEP!

The rest of the night went by smoothly. Everyone slept.

The next morning came too soon–all of the girls were up by 8 a.m.

My wonderful husband had promised them all pancakes, and so they ate a great big syrupy pancake breakfast. A bit more frenzied play ensued, and parents finally started coming to pick up their children. By 10:45 a.m., they were all gone, and I retreated to my bedroom to take a much-needed nap.

And so, here is my “Guide” summary:

1. TAKE THIS SLEEPOVER IDEA, AND FLUSH IT DOWN THE TOILET.
2. If you are ignoring step one and proceeding anyway, please do so with EXTREME CAUTION.
3. Start the party just before bedtime. Not at 3 p.m.
4. Bingo games and beading necklaces are good for entertainment. Definitely invest in these two activities.
5. Lots of brightly colored icing on the cupcakes–not a great idea.
6. Making your own bath bombs? JUST DON’T. Don’t do it. Don’t even go there. The worst idea ever. Seriously. Who invented these horrific bathing accessories?
7. Pancakes in the morning, cooked by the hubby, are a good idea. Well, pancakes without syrup if that’s even a thing.

In all seriousness, my daughter absolutely loved her sleepover, and I became Mom of the Year for letting her have one.

She really did have the best eighth birthday. And I was so glad all of her friends joined in on the fun, even if it was a bit chaotic. It really warmed my heart to see their love for my daughter.

Ever host a sleepover? What are some of your suggestions? Tell us in the comments below!