Slumber Birthday Party

Hi J.,
Last year for my daughters 10th birthday I did a sleepover, very exhausting but they loved it. Make sure you give the girls a bedtime, I found mine wide awake at 5am. Not so fun. Some things that we did at our party: I turned part of our kitchen into a nail salon by giving each girl a quick manicure while my daughter and the other girls did make up. Then they went through the closet and grabbed outfits, paired them with my shoes and handbags and we had a fashion show. I was the official photographer. They had a blast. Hope this helps.
T.

I've been trying to think, 9 years old....4th grade then, right? When I was in 4th grade, I pretty much wanted to do my own thing with my friends, and didn't want mom around while my friends were at my house. Soooooo, during the actual "party", if I were you, I'd have things going on like "Freeze dance" where the girls dance and when the music is turned off, they freeze, the ones who don't are out, and the last one dancing is the winner. Also, you could do a little limbo. Other than a couple of games, the cake/ice cream thing, and opening of presents, I would just let them do their own thing. I would have some kids' board games out, along with some movies, music, and pillows/blankets wherever they're going to be hanging out. Other than that though, once the birthday celebration is over, I'd let them do their own thing unless they're saying they're bored. You could always have a snack for them later that they could help with, like cookies they can decorate.

I know that Michaels has American Girl Craft/activity kits that you might check out. It might be fun to let each girl make their own thing.

Good luck and I am sure that it will be a BLAST!!

Find a fun craft item that they can make and take home as a reminder of the slumber party...picture in a frame the girls make......simple jewelry projects.....collage of pics fromt he party (these days pics are quick & simple to take, print, etc.) Limit them to so many pics. I've done this one.

If your daughter has a favorite American girl....do into the "culture" of that doll a little more and have an activity that will engage them in some of that "culture".

Make sure to go online and see what you can find. We used to sell American girl dolls, paper dolls, etc. in the children's bookstore where I worked. Look at bookstores and find some of the books. I think there are some activities and I KNOW...plenty more info in those books - to give you ideas.

Play Hot Potato with bottles of nail polish. Use a few bottles since you have 10 girls and when the music stops whoever has a bottle has to paint one toe nail. Continue the game and as each girl gets both feet done they are out until last person wins and they get a prize or the polish. Did this at my daughters 8 year party and the girls had a blast!