Sleepover packing list and survival guide
Make a checkable, printable packing list for a birthday sleepover in a few taps, then read our survival guide for hosts and first-timers.
Sleepover packing list 16 things
Name: ______________________ Parent's phone: ______________________
Sleep
Clothes
Toiletries
Health
Fun
Tech
Survival guide for hosts
- Front-load the fun. Active games and dinner early, calm activities later.
- Tour the house at drop-off. Bathroom, where you're sleeping, where the snacks live.
- Collect the essentials. A phone number per guest, allergies, medicines and bedtime needs.
- Announce lights-out twice: 30 minutes before and on time. Flashlights and whispering are part of the fun.
- Have a homesick plan. A call home, a quiet spot, and an early pickup if they still want to go. That's a normal outcome.
- Feed them in the morning and have bags packed before pickup. Full sleepover planning guide
First sleepover? For the guest's parents
- Pack a comfort item. Nobody minds a stuffed animal.
- Tell the host about anything that helps at bedtime, and about bedwetting or night fears privately; good hosts handle it quietly.
- Agree on a code word your child can text or say on a call if they want to come home.
- A late-over (pickup at bedtime) is a great first step.
Frequently asked questions
What should a kid pack for a sleepover?
Sleeping bag or blanket, pillow, pajamas, clothes for tomorrow, toothbrush and toothpaste, any medicine with written directions, and a comfort item. The generator adds extras for swimming, camping and cold weather.
What do I need to host a sleepover?
Floor space and bedding, dinner and breakfast, a movie or quiet activity, flashlights or night-lights, each guest's emergency contact and allergy notes, and a plan for anyone who gets homesick.
What if my child gets homesick at a sleepover?
Encourage a call home and a quiet moment first. If they still want to leave, picking them up is completely fine; it's how kids learn they can try again.