Teens look forward to having a fun time with friends at sleepovers. And, sleepover games and activities for teens can entertain and help them spend quality time with friends. Since they are not allowed to enter a pub or drink, house parties and sleepovers with friends would help them unwind and have fun with their gang.
So when they get some alone time, they want to make the most of it by playing games and activities. If you’re wondering what to do at sleepovers, read for some exciting games and activity ideas for teens that will make the sleepover unforgettable.
Key Pointers
- Sleepover games and activities for teens are a great way to have fun, bond, and spend quality time with friends safely.
- When organizing a teen sleepover, consider the number of children, arrange extra sleeping space and cozy pajamas, and help your teen plan the activities.
- Truth and Dare, Song Maker Game, Name The Tune, and Skittles are some of the most exciting sleepover games.
15 Fun Sleepover Games For Teens
Here are some great sleepover ideas for tweens, kids, and teenagers that will get them moving and make the party so much fun, they’d want to come back next week.
1. Truth and dare
- It is one of the top sleepover games and activities for teens that can ensure hours of fun.
- The players have to sit in a circle, with a bottle placed horizontally downwards, in the middle.
- One person spins the bottle and the person at which the mouth of the bottle points, when it stops spinning has to choose between speaking the truth or taking up a challenge.
- Truth or dare questions for teens provide an opportunity for players to get to know each other better. If the teen opts for truth, she would have to answer a funny question honestly. On the other hand, if she chooses dare, she would have to perform the task given to her.
- If someone fails to perform the task, they have to pay a ‘penalty.’ You can be creative with your penalties. You can also make chits of penalties, and the defaulter picks one and performs it.
- Make sure neither the truth questions nor the dare activities are too intrusive or offensive. Keep them lighthearted.
- You could also make a list of truth questions and dare activities so that you don’t run out of ideas.
Sharon Rowley, a mother of six, details how she arranged the Truth or Dare game for her daughter’s birthday sleepover. She explains, “I printed all of the truth or dare questions on my home printer and using my paper cutter. I cut the pages into strips, folded them in half, and placed them inside two glass jars. To make the jars nice and pretty, I added the Truth Questions and Dares labels and a ribbon! I think they looked so cute for our sleepover party (i)!”
2. Nail spin a color game
- This famous girls’ night game is fun and is perfect for your little Barbies.
- You need bright colored nail-paints.
- Everyone has to remove the nail-paints from her nails to have paint-free nails.
- The nail-paints have to be collected in a basket and placed in the center.
- One of the girls has to color, put it in a bottle and the bottle by placing it in the center.
- The girl at whom the bottle mouth points, once the bottle starts spinning, should paint one of her nails with that color.
- This continues until one girl remains with the least number of nails painted. She is the winner.
- If you do not have enough nail polish bottles, ask your friends to bring some to add to the collection.
- Try including bright shades for more fun.
- Though typically considered a girl’s game, this can be played by boys as well. Make sure you click a lot of pictures of the cute nails at the end.
3. Foil project runway game
- Each of the girls receives a folded aluminum foil using which she can create her unique creations.
- A table is set out in the middle that comprises the essential styling tools like ribbons, plastic flowers, and colorful threads.
- Each of the girls needs to style her aluminum foil outfit using innovative ideas.
- Setting a theme, like a wedding dress, beach wear, or evening gowns, could add to the fun.
- The aluminum foil can be used to craft different types of apparels like shorts, pants, tops, skirts, and jewelry.
- The aluminum foil can be used to craft different type of apparels like shorts, pants, tops, skirts, jewelry, etc.
- A fashion show, in which the girls wear their creations, ends the game.
- You can make this game more challenging by allowing them to use nothing else other than foil. This will make it difficult yet fun for the teens.
- You could also substitute aluminum foil with toilet paper for more fun.
4. Blind make-over game
- Basic make-up items, which appeal to the girls, like eyeliner, mascara, blush, lipstick, foundation, etc., should be placed in the center.
- One girl has to blindfold herself and apply make-up to the girl next to her.
- Another girl does the same to her neighbor, and the chain goes on.
- Once everyone is done applying make-up and receiving it, the blinds can be taken off. This is when the girls would burst out laughing because everyone would look funny.
- Loads of pictures can be clicked to remember the moment.
- Award points based on how well the make-up is applied. For instance, if the lipstick is applied properly, the artist gets a point.
5. Song maker game
- This game is played with a bowl in the center containing funny song titles written in chits.
- One person picks up a chit and makes a song out of the title given in the chit.
- The songs can be new or existing ones.
- If you have a mic and speaker set, turn this game into an impromptu karaoke, which is one of the top sleepover games for teens.
6. Commercial game
- A bowl comprises numbered chits and each of the participants has to choose his/her serial number.
- The teen, who picks up the number one can stand up and the one with number two can choose an object from the room.
- The first with number one has to present a commercial related to the object picked by number two and speak on it for 30 seconds.
- You can make short reels for each object, too.
- The speaker must talk about the object in a comprehensive manner and may be given points based on the presentation.
7. Drama in the bag game
- The game starts by filling shopping bags with various items like hats, costumes, wigs, sticks, and shoes.
- The participants are divided into different teams.
- Each of the team has to choose one of the shopping bags and prepare a TV commercial or skit using the items in the bag.
8. Camera game
- A self-timer camera is important for this game.
- Set the self-timer of the game.
- Each of the players needs to hold the camera at an arm’s length, point it towards their face and make funny expressions.
- Once done, the camera is to be passed on to the next person.
- Once everyone clicks a picture, the pictures can be downloaded.
9. Pig out
- You would need a jar of Vaseline or petroleum jelly, a large bowl, a bag of small cotton bales, and a timer watch.
- The players need to smear the tip of their noses with the jelly, before starting the game.
- The timer has to be set for three minutes, and as soon as the time starts each of the players has to pick as many cotton bales with their noses, as possible.
- The person who collects the maximum number of cotton bales, wins.
10. Spin tasty
- To play this game, you would need paper plates, a bottle to spins biscuits, candies, mayonnaise, ketchup, etc.
- The players can fill up the paper plates with different food items and place them aside on a table.
- The players sit in a circle and spin the bottle. The person at whom the mouth of the bottle faces has to eat the food as instructed by the other players.
- This game can get quite interesting as the players can make unique combinations
11. Boy meets girl
- The players write the names of a boy on each chit and pass it to their neighbor.
- Then they write the name of a girl, and pass it on.
- Next, they write about a place, or a unique feature of the boy and pass it on.
- Once everyone has written something about the people, the chits are read out aloud.
12. Name that tune
- To play this game, one needs a music system.
- The music is on and one of the players has to identify the song before the artist begins singing it.
- The person who can guess the songs fastest is the winner of the game,
- To simplify the game, make a playlist on Spotify or other streaming services with music clips.
13. Skittles
- This game requires a bowl full of skittles (small colorful candies), a dice, straw, and cups.
- All the players sit in a circle. Each one gets a straw and a cup. The bowl of skittles is placed in the center.
- As the first player starts sucking the skittles using a straw and placing them in the cup, the person next to her will begin rolling the dice until she rolls a six. On doing so, she will grab the bowl and start
- sucking the skittles. And the game goes on till all the skittles are over.
- The person with the maximum skittles wins the game.
14. Hairdryer balloon tennis
- To enjoy this hilarious game you would need two hairdryers, a couple of plastic chairs, and colorful balloons.
- Plug the hairdryers in different corners of the room and place the chairs as tennis nets.
- Two players play against each other.
- The players have to toss the balloons to one another using the hair dryers to keep the balloons in the air.
- Players are not allowed to use their hands to toss the balloons, and as soon as the balloon touches the floor, the player loses a point.
- This game may need adult supervision as the cords of the hairdryers may unravel during play.
15. Cucumber face race
- A slice of cucumber for each of the players, and any flat chocolate is needed to play this game.
- Split the teens into two groups. The first player has to put the cucumber or chocolate on her forehead and move it into her mouth without using her hands.
- If the person fails to do so, he can try three times, after which the game passes to the next teammate.
- The first team whose chocolate or cucumber enters the mouth wins the game.
- Oreos also work well for this game.
- Make sure you click a lot of pictures while the teens make weird expressions to move the slice on their faces.
Storytelling is another classic sleepover activity, and can be made even more fun by having each person add a sentence to an ongoing story.
7 Sleepover Party Activities For Teens
Your teen can also include some of these interesting activities in her sleepover party:
1. Spa stuff
- Some of the best activities to enjoy during sleepovers are pedicures, manicures, facials, and makeovers.
- Homemade facial spas can also be done.
- The teen girls can try to prepare the facial packs using the basic ingredients and enjoy the fun of spa and complete relaxation.
2. Talent show
- Teens always love to showcase their special skills and unique talents.
- The sleepover party can include a talent show like a dance party or a karaoke competition.
- Singing songs, dancing, mimicry, etc., can be performed here.
- You can arrange a reality show-esque setup to get the teens invested in the performances.
3. Creative things
- Fun things to do at sleepovers can include engaging in creative activities like making creative things, decorating pillow covers, or creating customized photo frames.
- Make sure you have the colored markers, ribbons, papers, gums, and scissors ready.
4. Camping (indoors or outdoors)
- Set up large tents and spend the night amidst fun.
- Roasting hotdogs, marshmallows, and sharing campfire stories are some much exciting camping activities for teens.
- You can also play some outdoor games like capture the flag or kickball.
- Outdoors camping can take place in your backyard or the terrace of your home.
5. Video games
- Playing video games during the sleepover parties is fun in itself.
- The games list could include soccer, bike racing, or scavenger hunt.
- Cooperative games such as Roblox and Minecraft are great choices for teens.
6. Movie night
- This is a great option when considering fun things for teens to do at night.
- Teens love to watch movies, especially the scary ones, with their friends.
- You could watch horror movies and those with weak hearts can veto funny movies!
- To make it inclusive for everyone, sit down with your teen and make a list of all the movies they want to watch. Their friends can bring their own lists too.
- Drop them all in a bowl.
- The one that gets picked is the one everyone will watch.
7. Food mania
- A party is always incomplete without delicious food. If your teen loves baking, consider having a cupcake or cookie decorating competition.
- Your teen’s sleepover party should always consist of tons of food to make the party better.
- Foods like popcorn, chips, homemade cookies, and soft drinks are always a hit on the menu.
- They can also make simple snacks for themselves.
8. Cooking or baking challenge
- Organizing a cooking or baking challenge can make the sleepover more fun and engaging.
- Choose a theme for the cooking or baking challenge and divide the participants into teams.
- Plan the menu using the available ingredients. While the dishes are being prepared, groove to some lively music.
- Review the food once cooked and declare the winning team.
9. Board or card games
- Group activities for teenagers include hit card games like Rummy and Uno
- Choose games based on the group’s preferences and the number of players available.
- Consider the level of complexity that everyone is comfortable with.
- Monopoly, Catan, Ticket to Ride, and Scrabble are some classic yet entertaining board games for teens.
How To Plan The Perfect Sleepover
Organizing a sleepover involves a bit more than just inviting friends over. A little planning and Plan Bs can make the experience fun and stress-free. Put in some top sleepover games and activities for teens into the mix and you can have the most enjoyable time.
- Ensure safety: Get permission from all parents along with their contact information. Give them yours in return.
- Set boundaries: Lay down boundaries that allow everyone to have fun in a safe way. This can include reduced or no access to certain areas in your home, such as the terrace, or no talking about certain topics.
- Know the people: Knowing the estimate of people is good. The number of friends who are coming over can help you decide if the party should be in the living room or the bedroom. You can also ask who is attending the party and make a list of people so that you can vet them.
- Dress appropriately: Ask everyone to come dressed in casual and comfortable clothes such as pajamas or night suits. They may even bring their own blankets or soft toys.
- Plan in advance: Keep a plan of the night’s activities and games in advance. While making impromptu decisions might be fun for a while, an advance plan can save boredom. Classic activities like pillow fights and movie marathons are great ideas to get the sleepover party started.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What time should a sleepover start and end?
There is no fixed time to have sleepovers with your friends or cousins. Rules ruin the fun. However, sleepovers can start anytime in the evening and can go on until the following day or afternoon. So stock up on snacks and plan for some entertaining games well in advance.
2. Is it okay to have a boy and girl sleepover?
Parents may find sleepovers with children of the opposite gender difficult, but there is little to worry about if there is trust and open discussion about the relationships that children have with their peers. You may have some boundaries that your children must obey, such as not closing the door or sneaking out, but allowing boys and girls to have sleepovers together can broaden their perspective on socializing.
3. What should I do if there are any problems during the sleepover?
If there are any problems during the sleepover, address them promptly and calmly. Communicate openly with the children involved, offer solutions or compromises, and seek assistance from other parents or guardians if necessary.
4. What are some things to do if a teen gets homesick at a sleepover?
If a teen gets homesick at a sleepover, there are several things you can do to help them feel more comfortable. Encourage open communication, listen attentively to their feelings, and provide reassurance and support. Suggest engaging activities, such as games or conversations, to distract them from homesickness and help them connect with their friends. Additionally, consider allowing them to call or text home to alleviate their anxiety and provide a sense of familiarity.
5. What are some unique food ideas for sleepovers?
Set up pizza stations where everyone can make their own pizzas with different toppings. A sundae bar is another fun option for guests to create ice cream treats. You can also prepare snacks matching the sleepover theme, whether it is a movie night or a video game night.
Sleepover games and activities for teens can make their quality time with peers more amazing. They are a great way to increase the social interaction of your teen. They learn to resolve conflicts and communicate well in a safe and controlled environment. Moreover, sleepovers can help them make lifelong friendships. They are also quite easy to arrange. You may choose the room according to the number of peers coming and plan various games and activities. Truth or dare, blind-make-over games, commercial games, song-maker games, and talent shows can be some of the best activities for teens to interact and spend time together. Watching movies, listening to music, playing video games, and enjoying good food can make the sleepover more memorable. Ensure you do not interrupt teens’ sleepover parties.
Infographic: Sleepover Games And Activities For Teens
Sleepover games and activities are sure to make your next slumber party unforgettable. Read this infographic for fun sleepover games and activities you can play with your loved ones.
Illustration: Fun-Filled Sleepover Games And Activities For Teens (9 To 18 Years)
Gather your gang for a night of fun and laughter! This video has various games and activities for you and your friends to try on a sleepover.
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. 100 Truth or Dare Questions for Tweens;https://www.momof6.com/at-home-birthday-parties/100-truth-or-dare-questions-for-tweens/Community Experiences
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