• 73 things to bring

What Should I Bring to a Sleepover

What to put in your sleepover bag, part by part, and why you will want it.

What Should I Bring to a Sleepover

  1. Sleeping bagAsk your friend if you need one. Roll it tight and it carries like a second bag.
  2. Your own pillowYours smells like home, which is nice in a strange room.
  3. PajamasPick a pair you are happy for everyone to see at breakfast.
  4. A blanket from homeFloors get cold in the night, even inside a sleeping bag.
  5. Stuffed animalBring it. Somebody else will have brought one too.
  6. Sleeping mat or air bedOnly if the host says there is room. Ask who has a pump.
  7. Eye maskFor when one person wants the light on and you do not.
  8. EarplugsSomeone always whispers after lights out. Someone else snores.
  9. Small flashlightFor finding the bathroom in a dark house, and for stories under the covers.
  10. Warm socksWear them to bed and around the house.
  11. A book for when you wake up firstThen you can read quietly until the others stir.
  12. Water bottleFill it before bed, so you are not hunting for a glass at midnight.
  13. Night lightA small one that plugs in, if a dark room bothers you. Ask where it can go.
  14. Fitted sheet for the air bedIt stops the sleeping bag sliding off in the night.
  15. Bonnet or scarf for your hairIf you sleep in one at home, sleep in it here.

Next step Take a riddle for after lights out

All 73 things to bring

For sleeping 15

  • A blanket from home Floors get cold in the night, even inside a sleeping bag.
  • A book for when you wake up first Then you can read quietly until the others stir.
  • Bonnet or scarf for your hair If you sleep in one at home, sleep in it here.
  • Earplugs Someone always whispers after lights out. Someone else snores.
  • Eye mask For when one person wants the light on and you do not.
  • Fitted sheet for the air bed It stops the sleeping bag sliding off in the night.
  • Night light A small one that plugs in, if a dark room bothers you. Ask where it can go.
  • Pajamas Pick a pair you are happy for everyone to see at breakfast.
  • Sleeping bag Ask your friend if you need one. Roll it tight and it carries like a second bag.
  • Sleeping mat or air bed Only if the host says there is room. Ask who has a pump.
  • Small flashlight For finding the bathroom in a dark house, and for stories under the covers.
  • Stuffed animal Bring it. Somebody else will have brought one too.
  • Warm socks Wear them to bed and around the house.
  • Water bottle Fill it before bed, so you are not hunting for a glass at midnight.
  • Your own pillow Yours smells like home, which is nice in a strange room.

For the bathroom 14

  • A small pouch for private things Whatever you might need and would rather not ask for.
  • Deodorant If you wear it at home, you will want it in the morning.
  • Face cloth Your own, in a bag that can get damp.
  • Glasses case or lens case Leave your glasses in the case by your pillow, where nobody will step on them.
  • Hair ties and clips Two or three more than you think. They wander off.
  • Hairbrush or comb Morning hair after a night on the floor needs it.
  • Lip balm Keep it in your pajama pocket, not at the bottom of the bag.
  • Retainer and its box Put it in the box and never in a napkin. Napkins get thrown away.
  • Soap or face wash Whatever you use at home, in a small bottle with the lid on tight.
  • Tissues A small pack for a runny nose or a sad film.
  • Toothbrush Easy to forget, so pack it first.
  • Toothpaste A travel tube, or share your friend's and say thanks.
  • Towel Ask first. Most hosts have plenty, but not every time.
  • Wash bag to hold it all One zip bag means one thing to carry down the hall and nothing left on the sink.

Clothes 11

  • A spare top For when a drink goes over, and one will.
  • Bag for worn clothes Keeps yesterday's socks away from tomorrow's shirt.
  • Clean underwear One pair for tomorrow and a spare.
  • Clothes for tomorrow Pick the whole outfit at home, so the morning is easy.
  • Comfy clothes for the evening Something you can sit on the floor in for hours.
  • Dressing gown Good over pajamas when a grown-up makes breakfast.
  • Hoodie or sweater Other people's houses are colder or warmer than yours. Layers fix both.
  • Jacket For the yard after dark.
  • Shoes you can go outside in In case the plan turns into the yard or a walk to the shop.
  • Slippers For kitchen floors at midnight snack time.
  • Swimsuit Only if there is a pool or a sprinkler. Ask before you pack it.

Things to do 17

  • A ball for the yard If there is a yard and daylight left.
  • A board game you know how to teach Check with the host first. Bring one that plays in under an hour.
  • A camera Ask before you share a picture of someone.
  • A craft to finish together Beads, stickers or a kit, with enough for everyone.
  • A list of films to choose from Write five down at home, so the choosing does not take all night.
  • A puzzle book Good for a quiet half hour while others are still asleep.
  • A story to read aloud Take turns with one page each, in silly voices.
  • Deck of cards Small, and it works for two people or ten.
  • Dress-up bits for a fashion show Scarves, hats and sunglasses take up little room.
  • Glow sticks Crack them when the lights go out.
  • Headphones So you can listen to something without waking anyone.
  • Nail polish Two or three colors, and ask where it is all right to paint.
  • Notebook and pens For lists, drawings and games you make up.
  • Sheet face masks, one each Ask a grown-up first. They are more fun when everyone wears one.
  • Sketchbook Draw each other, badly, and sign them.
  • Thread for friendship bracelets A few colors each and some tape to hold the knot end down.
  • Would you rather questions Write ten on scraps of paper and pull them from a cup.

Things to share 10

  • A bag of sweets to pass round One big bag for everyone beats small ones that get hidden.
  • A snack you know you can eat If there are foods you cannot have, bring your own and tell the host.
  • A thank-you card for the host Write it at home and leave it on the kitchen table as you go.
  • Chips and a dip Hand them to the host when you arrive, so they reach the table.
  • Fruit for the morning Grapes or clementines need no knife and no plate.
  • Hot chocolate sachets One for each person, and marshmallows if you have them.
  • Juice or a fizzy drink A bottle to share. Ask what the house rule is first.
  • Paper cups with names on Then nobody loses their drink.
  • Popcorn Ask about allergies first, then bring enough for the whole room.
  • Something for breakfast Muffins or pastries, if the host says yes.

Just in case 6

  • A little money For a trip to the shop, in a pocket that closes.
  • The address and pick-up time Written down, so the grown-up fetching you is not guessing.
  • Anything you need every night Ask a grown-up at home to help pack it, and tell your friend's grown-up it is in your bag.
  • House key If you will let yourself in tomorrow. Zip it in an inside pocket.
  • Phone charger With your name on it. Chargers all look the same in the morning.
  • Phone numbers on paper Your grown-ups' numbers, in case your phone runs flat.

How it works

These 73 things to bring to a sleepover are sorted for sleeping, for the bathroom, clothes, things to do, things to share and a few for just in case. The whole list is below.

Read the full guide

If you pack only five things

Pajamas, a toothbrush, clean clothes for tomorrow, your pillow and a phone charger. With those in the bag, anything you forget can be borrowed.

Ask the host before you pack these

A sleeping bag, towels, snacks, a board game, an air bed and a swimsuit all depend on the plan and the house. One message saves you carrying things nobody needs, and tells the host about any food you cannot eat.

For a first sleepover

Bring one thing that feels like home: your own pillow, a blanket or a stuffed animal. Keep a grown-up's phone number on paper in your bag, so you can ring home whenever you like.

  • Pack the night before, then check the bag against the list in the morning.
  • Put your name on your charger and your water bottle.

Questions and answers

What snacks should I bring to a sleepover?

Ones that share easily: popcorn, a big bag of sweets, chips and a dip, or hot chocolate sachets. Ask the host first, in case someone has an allergy or the house has a rule.

What fun things should I bring to a sleepover?

Small things that work for a group: a deck of cards, glow sticks, nail polish, thread for friendship bracelets, would you rather questions or a list of films to choose from.

What should I not bring to a sleepover?

Anything you would be sad to lose or break, anything the host has said no to, and more than fits in one bag.

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