How to Throw a Cheap Slumber Party

A slumber party is a lot of fun for kids of all ages. Don't stress over money and what it's going to cost you. Slumber parties don't have to be elaborate and over the top. The key with slumber parties is to keep it simple.

Do the kids like movies? Make it a movie night theme. You can decorate the living room with movie set printouts that are easily found online through any search engine. If you have a movie or two that are already picked out for the night, find pictures related to them specifically.

Crafty kids will love to sit down and do projects that they can take home. Come up with crafts that are season oriented. If it's winter time make snowmen out of marshmallows and snow flake coaster placements to go with a hot cocoa social.

Does your group of girls like to bake? How about making it a night of baking cookies. Find out what the girls favorite cookies are. Most of the ingredients needed to make them are basic things that are possibly already in your cupboards. If not go the chocolate brownie rout. A box of brownie mix can be picked up from the store for under $5.00.

If it's music they're into throw together a slumber party that is all about their favorite artist. Younger kids could be into Laurie Berkner who incorporates all sorts of silliness to her songs that get the kids to interact. Older kids will have fun making up dances to their favorites and then putting on a performance for the family.

Summer time is great for camping slumber parties. Set up the tent out in the back yard. Get out the kid's flashlights and the cooler for goodies. Have your guests bring their sleeping bags. Set up the BBQ for hot dogs and smores. When it's time to get into their sleeping bags read a spooky story to set the mood (if the kids can handle it).

Add some games with household items. Make an obstacle course through the house and make them balance a cotton ball on a spoon. They have to make it through with out dropping it. See who can get the most to the end before time runs out.

Another fun game is a scavenger hunt. You can vary the difficulty according to the age group you are working with. Hide a certain type of objects or tape cut-outs in hiding spots around the house. If the weather permits take the game outside. Doing the scavenger hunt out doors with flashlights is a lot of fun for older kids.

Your kids can have a great slumber party without having to offer their allowance in exchange. Letting kids have social time is great for them. Growing up we all had slumber parties and sleep overs. The best part was just hanging out and staying up late. Don't stress over trying to keep them entertained the entire time. They'll do just fine with each other for amusement and it won't cost you a dime in the mean time.