Sleepover Ideas for When You’re Too Old for Pillow Forts
26 sleepover ideas for teens: activities, games, creative projects and late-night ideas, plus snacks and a hosting checklist.
In this guide
Sleepovers in middle and high school hit different. Pillow forts are cute, but now you want something to actually do, and enough snacks to last until 3 a.m.
Here are 26 sleepover ideas for teens, plus food ideas and a quick checklist so the night goes smoothly.
Classic sleepover activities
- Movie marathon with a theme: all rom-coms, all horror, or every movie from one year.
- Face masks and nail painting. Try the Christmas nail ideas if it’s December.
- Build the ultimate blanket nest on the floor with every pillow in the house.
- Make a group playlist where everyone adds five songs, then rank them.
- Bake something from scratch, like cookies, brownies or pizza dough.
- Do a snack taste test blindfolded and guess the flavor.
- Have a karaoke battle with lyrics on the TV.
- Watch the sunrise if anyone makes it that far.
Games to play
- This or That: play our This or That questions out loud and point left or right on three.
- How well do you know each other? Take the friendship quiz for two in pairs and compare scores.
- Truth or dare, with a rule that anyone can pass, no questions asked.
- Two truths and a lie.
- Forehead guessing game: write a name on a sticky note, stick it on someone, and they ask yes-or-no questions.
- Never have I ever with fingers instead of drinks.
- Would you rather, the weirder the better.
- Find out what kind of friend everyone is with our friend type quiz, then argue about whether it’s right.
Creative ideas
- Fashion show using only clothes from the host’s closet.
- Make friendship bracelets for each other.
- Write letters to your future selves and hide them to open in a year.
- Paint or draw each other in 60 seconds.
- Make a mini music video to one song.
- Decorate cupcakes or cookies with a theme.
Late-night ideas
- Deep-talk questions: try our questions to ask your best friend.
- Rank everything: songs, shows, snacks, school lunches.
- Plan your dream trip together with a budget and a playlist.
- Tell scary stories with a flashlight.
Snack ideas
- Build-your-own pizza on tortillas or naan.
- Ice cream sundae bar with three toppings.
- Popcorn bar: butter, cinnamon sugar, or chocolate drizzle.
- Breakfast: pancakes or waffles in the morning, and somebody always wants chocolate chips in theirs.
Hosting checklist
- Agree on the plan with your parents first: how many people, what time, which rooms.
- Have enough blankets, pillows and phone chargers.
- Plan two or three activities, but leave room for just talking.
- Pick a “lights out” time everyone agrees on, even if nobody sticks to it.
- Make sure everyone has a way home in the morning.
Make it fun for everyone
- No one gets left out. Don’t split into inside jokes that one person isn’t part of.
- Passing is always allowed in truth or dare and other games.
- Don’t post photos of someone without asking, especially in pajamas or with a face mask on.
- If someone wants to go home, that’s okay. Help them call a parent, no teasing.
Not a sleepover, just a hangout? Here are more things to do with friends.
Questions people ask
What do teens do at sleepovers?
Watch movies, do face masks and nails, bake, play games like This or That and truth or dare, make playlists, have deep talks and stay up way too late.
What are fun sleepover games?
This or That, two truths and a lie, would you rather, never have I ever, charades and a how-well-do-you-know-each-other quiz.
What should I bring to a sleepover?
Pajamas, a toothbrush, a phone charger, a pillow or sleeping bag if the host asks, clothes for the next day and any medicine you take.
How do I host a good sleepover?
Agree on the plan with your parents, check allergies, plan a few activities, have plenty of snacks and blankets, and make sure nobody feels left out.
