Too many kids at a sleepover

My Christmas sleepover totally spiraled in the best way – what started as a small gathering turned into a fabulous, bigger group of kids! If you're wondering how to handle a sleepover that keeps growing, especially around the holidays, I’ve got some tricks up my sleeve to keep everyone happy and busy. It’s all about having a good mix of high-energy fun and cozy winding-down moments. First off, having a variety of games is key, especially for different age groups, from 10-year-olds to 13-year-olds. We kicked things off with "Left, Right, Center." It's super simple: everyone needs three small items (coins, candies, etc.). You roll a die, and if you get L, R, or C, you pass an item left, right, or to the center pot. The last person with items wins the pot! It’s fast-paced and gets everyone laughing right away. Another hit was the "Snowball Blindfold Game." We’d crumple up some paper for 'snowballs,' blindfold the kids, and have them try to throw the snowballs into a bucket. It's hilarious chaos, perfect for burning off some energy. For a slightly more creative challenge, we did "Match the Christmas Bows (Blind Challenge)." I collected a bunch of different Christmas bows, some identical pairs, and some unique. The kids, still blindfolded, had to feel the bows and try to find matching pairs. It sounds simple, but it’s surprisingly tricky and sparks a lot of giggles as they describe what they're feeling. And of course, no sleepover is complete without some digital fun and dance! We had impromptu TikTok sessions and dance-offs. I'd put on a popular playlist, and they’d just go for it – it’s a brilliant way for them to express themselves and show off their moves. When it was time to wind down, we transitioned to some sweet treats. Hot chocolate and s’mores were a must! I set up a little s’mores station with different marshmallows, chocolates, and crackers, letting them customize their own. It turns the snack into an activity. We also played a fun, active rhythm game: "Head, Shoulders, Knees, Toes, Cup." It’s like a super-fast version of Simon Says, but with a cup to grab in the middle, getting their reflexes going. And for the slightly older kids, a quick round of "Flip Cup-Tic, Tac, Toe" was a hit – a less messy, kid-friendly version of flip cup where they had to land the cup to mark their spot on a tic-tac-toe grid. Finally, as the night drew to a close, we made the living room into a cozy fort paradise. "Tee-pees, Popcorn, and a Movie" is my ultimate low-key activity. We dragged out all the blankets and pillows, built some epic forts (or 'tee-pees' as the kids called them), popped a huge bowl of popcorn, and settled in for a Christmas movie. It’s the perfect way to transition from high energy to sleepy time, creating those classic sleepover memories. My biggest tip for a successful, growing Christmas sleepover? Embrace the chaos, have a flexible plan, and always have extra snacks!