If you really would like to surprise your children in the loveliest way, while making them feel like the most important people in the world … this Surprise Sleepover with a Twist could be it. Children need to feel loved, they love the concept of sleepovers, and they adore surprises. So why not combine them all? I know not all children love the idea of sleepovers, but this surprise sleepover is a little different. Even the most reluctant might go for it, and they’ll get much more out it than you could imagine. And it shouldn’t disturb your sleep at all!
This really is the stuff of lovely childhood memories.
This sleepover is the perfect thing to do over the school holidays. You can build it up as much or as little as you’d like, but very little will go a long way.
So the first thing you need to do is to make your own invitations … which could be just a simple hand written note, or if you’re feeling creative, something like this …
Remember, this is a very special occasion!
I know, you weren’t expecting this, BUT bear with me.
I’m not suggesting the kids sleep in your bed, or even go to bed at the same time as you. This is an evening where the focus is on the kids in a really lovely fun way, and yet everyone gets their beauty sleep. There’s something lovely and reassuring for them when you all sleep together, and they wake up and see you there.
After you’ve given the kids your invite, they will probably be a bit confused. So this is your chance to explain and to lay out any ground rules.
Then it’s time to plan your sleepover. The planning part is almost the best bit for them, with all the fun, the anticipation and excitement!
You’ll need some sleeping / camping mats on the floor of your bedroom, with their pillows, duvets and bed friends brought in from their room. You can go the whole hog and rig up blankets or sheets to make a den, but unless you live in a castle, you may not have room for this!
And of course, a sleepover is not a sleepover without a Midnight Feast! This can be as small or larger, or as healthy or as unhealthy as you like. But remember – they’ll be sleeping in your room, so if you fill them up with too much sugar … on your head be it! And a midnight feast is rarely eaten at midnight, because the kids are too excited to get to it! Let them suggest some things, and you pop in a treat or two too. Maybe one of these Watermelon or Orange jellies each? (She says, having just suggested not too much sugar!)
And an all-year round letter from the North Pole could appear ….
Father Christmas Takes Up Breakdancing
If you have more than one child, they could eat it together once they’ve gone to bed. If you have an only child, you could tuck into their bed with them, and both nibble and giggle away together. You may need to turn a blind eye to tooth brushing, but that’s up to you!
As with all sleepovers, it’s the run up to bed time that’s part of the magic too. So plan a special dinner: either something you know they love, or something fun you do together, like making your own pizzas. This recipe is amazing – just two ingredients, and you can make it gluten and dairy free too if you need to!
Then it’s Movie Time! Let them choose the movie, get blankets out (unless it’s boiling hot), and snuggle down together to watch it.
Bed time can be later, or if you have younger kids, Movie Night for very little ones might work better for all of you.
The main thing is to treat for you all to have fun together, and for the kids to really enjoy doing something a little different with you!
Let me know how it goes!
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Emily x
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