Sleepover party planning checklist for parents

Plan a kids’ sleepover in four stages. Three to four weeks out, set the date, guest list and theme and book any hire. Two weeks out, send invitations and ask about allergies. In the final week, plan food and games and do a safety check of the room. On the day, set up early, agree on house rules and keep the morning simple.

This is the checklist we would hand any parent planning a slumber party at home, whether you are hiring teepees from us or running your own setup.

3 to 4 weeks before

• Pick the date. Check it against the SA school term dates. A Friday or Saturday night, or any night in the school holidays, means nobody is tired for school the next day.
• Decide on numbers. Invite as many kids as you can comfortably supervise and fit on the floor.
• Choose a theme with the birthday child. Browse our eight teepee themes for ideas.
• Book any hire. Weekends and school holidays book out fastest. To check a date for teepee hire, send us your date, theme and number of teepees.

2 weeks before: invitations

A good sleepover invitation answers every question before it is asked:

• Whose party it is, and their age
• Date, drop-off time and pick-up time the next morning
• Address (and a note if parking is tricky)
• What to bring: pyjamas, a toothbrush and so on (with teepees, the bed and pillow are already sorted). Our sleepover packing list is easy to share.
• RSVP name and phone number
• A request for allergies, dietary needs, medication or bedtime routines

Simple wording works best, for example: “[Name] is turning 10! Join us for a teepee sleepover on Saturday from 5pm, with pick-up at 9am Sunday. Bring your PJs and a toothbrush. Please let us know about any allergies when you RSVP.” If you would rather not host overnight, a sleep-under party that ends at bedtime is a great alternative for younger kids.

The week before: food, games and allergies

• Plan three meals’ worth: dinner, a snack for the movie and breakfast. Make-your-own pizzas cover dinner and an activity at once.
• Check allergies properly. Talk directly with the parents of any child with a food allergy. Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia’s celebration tips suggest working out a plan together and letting the family provide safe treats. If a guest is at risk of anaphylaxis, ASCIA advises that their ASCIA Action Plan is kept with their adrenaline devices, so ask where those will be.
• Sketch out the games. A few active games, one main activity and some quiet ones for later. Our sleepover games and activities post has a full list.
• Confirm your hire collection time and make sure the car has room. For a Team Teepee kit, a large SUV, 4WD or ute does the job, and a trailer is even better.

Safety checks for the sleepover room

Button batteries

Button and coin batteries are in remotes, light-up toys, novelty party favours and some decorations. Since 22 June 2022, products supplied in Australia that contain them must meet mandatory safety standards, including secure battery compartments, but older or non-compliant items still turn up. Product Safety Australia has recalled novelty lighting products where batteries could be accessed. Check party bags and decorations, and keep spare batteries locked away.

If you think a child has swallowed or inserted a button battery, the official advice is to call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 immediately (24/7), or go straight to a hospital emergency department. Do not let the child eat or drink, and do not make them vomit. Severe burns can happen in as little as two hours. Call Triple Zero (000) if the child has any difficulty breathing.

Candles, heaters and lights

Fabric teepees, bedding and cushions should stay well away from anything hot. The SA Metropolitan Fire Service recommends battery-operated candles as a safe alternative to real ones and putting candles out before going to sleep. Its home heating advice suggests keeping heaters ideally two metres from bedding, curtains and furniture, and supervising children whenever heaters are on. The fairy lights and lanterns in our kits are battery-operated; please do not swap in mains-powered lighting.

Little siblings and supervision

Some styling pieces are small, so keep them out of reach of babies and toddlers. A responsible adult should supervise the whole party, and guests’ parents will want to know who will be home. The Raising Children Network encourages parents to ask about supervision and sleeping arrangements before a sleepover, so sharing that information up front is reassuring.

On the day

• Collect your kit and set up early (see our teepee setup guide).
• Clear the floor and move breakables out of the party room.
• Put medication, allergy plans and parents’ numbers somewhere you can find them fast.
• Agree on house rules with your child: lights-out time, rooms that are off limits, how devices will be used, and that anyone can call home if they want to.

The morning after

• Serve breakfast on the trays from the kit (always a highlight).
• Keep pick-up on time so tired kids do not run out of steam.
• Do a lost-property sweep under every mattress and cushion.
• Pack the hire kit the way it arrived and return it at the agreed time. Our hire terms explain the details.

Want the hardest part (the setup) sorted? Team Teepee kits come with everything in one go, collected from Keyneton near Angaston. See what’s included, read our FAQs, or check your date.