No Boredom Allowed! 8 Exciting Sleepover Party Games to Keep Kids Busy

Planning a sleepover for your tween can feel overwhelming, especially when trying to minimise screen time and keep the chaos under control.

Not to worry—I’ve got your back! These eight exciting, easy-to-organise party games will keep the kids busy, entertained, and laughing all evening long.

From silly challenges to teamwork games, they’ll be exhausted in the best way by bedtime (hopefully!) 😉

Let’s dive in!

1. Minute-To-Win-It Games: Quick and Fun Sleepover Challenges

A classic favourite! Minute-to-Win-It games are perfect for kids with short attention spans (so, all kids…) Whether stacking cups or balancing biscuits on their foreheads, they’ll be totally absorbed (for a full 60 seconds, in any case!) And don’t be surprised if they demand rematches to prove they almost got it last time.

2. Glow Stick Hide-and-Seek: A Glow-in-the-Dark Adventure

There’s something magical about glow sticks in a dark room—kids love it. It’s like hide-and-seek but with a cosmic twist. The kids will have a blast searching for glowing shapes in the dark, and everyone gets to feel like they’re on a nighttime adventure. Pro tip: Use it as the wind-down game—it works wonders for that last burst of energy before bed.

3. Balloon Pop Challenges: Silly Sleepover Fun

What is it about popping balloons that makes kids so excited? Inside each balloon is a silly challenge, like spinning in circles, squawking like a chicken, or performing their best dance move. The popping gets them hyped up, and the challenges keep them giggling—while you sit back and enjoy the show (from a safe distance, of course).

4. Sardines: The Ultimate Hide-and-Seek Twist for Kids

Sardines flips hide-and-seek on its head, and the kids love it. One child hides while the rest search. When someone finds the hider, they squeeze into the same hiding spot. They’ll all end up squished together, giggling like mad while the last one searches. It’s like hide-and-seek but with more teamwork—and plenty of whispered “Shhh! They’re coming!” moments.

5. Pass the Parcel with Dares: A Classic Game with a Fun Twist

It’s Pass the Parcel but with a mischievous twist. Each layer comes with a small dare or a prize, so you’ll get a mix of nervous excitement and a little drama as they unwrap. It’s fun to watch them hype each other up for whatever comes next.

6. Marshmallow Tower Challenge: Build, Laugh, and Snack!

This is the perfect game for when you need to channel the kids’ energy into something productive. It’s incredible how focused kids get when you hand them marshmallows and spaghetti. They’ll start in full-on ‘engineer mode’, trying to build the tallest tower, and inevitably, the game ends in a free-for-all of marshmallow munching. But I’d say if that keeps them happy, you’ve won!

7. Mystery Box: Guessing Fun for Curious Minds

There’s something hilarious about kids trying to guess what random household items you’ve hidden in a box by touch alone. They’ll come up with wild ideas (“Is it a dinosaur?”), and the suspense keeps them totally engaged. For an extra squeal, try using a pack of squishy, uncooked jelly as one of the items! It’s a simple game, but one that always gets everyone involved.

8. Sock Wrestling: A Silly, Energy-Burning Sleepover Game

With the aim of pulling off each other’s socks while keeping yours on, the kids will roll around like puppies, joyfully screaming, trying to protect their socks from being snatched. It’s a bit silly but surprisingly competitive—and you’ll be satisfied knowing they’re burning off all that leftover cake energy.

Shopping List

Hopefully, this list of engaging and giggle-worthy games for your child’s next sleepover party has inspired you.

To make life even easier, I’ve compiled a shopping list of all the items you’d need for these games.

Please note that as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This comes at no extra cost to you, and I truly appreciate your support! Every purchase helps me continue creating fun content and growing my small business—thank you for being part of this journey.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the idea of rampaging kids in your living room all night? Head to my blog post, Mastering the Chaos: A Mum’s Ultimate Guide to Hosting a Stress-Free Sleepover Party, for my top tips on making it easy for yourself!

What’s your favourite sleepover game? Share your go-to activities in the comments below!