How to Plan a Pajama Party

Co-authored by Ivy Summer

Last Updated: December 23, 2022 References

Pajama parties are the perfect way to spend time with your friends and are ideal if you want to celebrate a special occasion such as your birthday. Hosting the perfect pajama party can be fun and easy if you prepare accordingly. By making a guest list, gathering supplies, and planning activities ahead of time, you can have an unforgettable pajama party.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Working Out the Details

1
Make a guest list. Include all the people you wish to invite to your party. The number of people you invite will depend on the size of the room and on how many guests you can have over. Since a pajama party can range in size from a few close friends to a larger number of people that you know, it’s important to have an idea of how many people you actually want and can have at the party before sending out invitations.
2
Write the invitations. You can buy pre-made pajama party invitations at retailers like Zazzle or you can make your own. You can also create a Facebook event for the party. The invitation should include the following information:
- Date of the party. Consider hosting the party on a Friday or Saturday night. That way, you and your friends will be able to recover and catch up on sleep the next day.^{[1]
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- Time the party will start and end. Sleepover pajama parties usually start no earlier than 5 p.m. and go until 10 a.m. If your pajama party is not actually a sleepover and is instead just a party in your PJs, specify this and give an idea of when the party will end so guests can plan accordingly.^{[2]
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- The address for the event.
- A date guests should RSVP by.
- Your phone number and/or email.
- What to bring. This could range from a swimsuit to a sleeping bag to pillows.
- The theme of the party, if any.
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3
Send timely invitations. If you invite people too close to the day of the party, you run the risk of there being overlapping events or conflicts. Avoid this by letting your friends know about the party at least 2 weeks ahead of time.
4
Set the location. Traditional slumber parties take place indoors, usually in the living room or the bedroom of the hostess. However, if you want to take your party to the next level, consider hosting an outdoors pajama party using the backyard as the party area. You can also set up tents as your shelter.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Planning Activities

1
Pick out games to play. From video games to board games to pajama party classics like truth or dare, the possibilities are endless. Set aside a few games that you know most of your friends like playing. During the party, let your friends vote on which ones they would like to play.
2
Make a list of activities. A pajama party can be a great time if you and your friends just talk the night away. However, having a few activities planned out can make the night even more fun. You and your guests could:
- Make homemade spa treatments. These can range from applying face masks - cucumbers for the eyes are a must - to doing mani/pedis or makeovers. Snap before and after pictures.
- Set up a selfie wall. Hang fabric on a wall and print out signs that you can use as props for an amazing photobooth-like experience.^{[3]
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- Create a dance routine. Look up YouTube videos for choreography inspiration or try to mimic your favorite artist’s moves. Record yourselves for a fun memory to look back on.
- Do karaoke. If you have a karaoke machine, this would be the perfect time to use it. If you don’t have one, look up song instrumentals on YouTube to sing along with or simply sing loudly over the track. You can use hairbrushes or water bottles as your microphones.
- Make a pillow fort. If you have big couch cushions, you can use these as ‘walls.’ Thin sheets or blankets make the perfect roof.
3
Pick out a few movies. During the party, let your friends choose which one(s) to watch. Go for movies that aren’t scary so that all your guests can have a good time.
4
Buy snacks. The perfect snacks for pajama parties are fun finger-foods. Your best bets are popcorn, pretzels, and chips, plus some fruit for good measure.^{[4]
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Research source} These snacks are delicious and easy to clean up. If you can, purchase a variety of snacks so that your friends have a variety of options to choose from.
- Don’t forget to buy disposable cups, napkins, and plates.
- Only buy caffeinated drinks or sodas if you plan on you or your friends being awake all night.^{[5]
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- Ask your friends to let you know if they're allergic to any food so that you can avoid serving it.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Finalizing Preparations and Cleaning Up

1
Decorate the room. Balloons and streamers are great decorations regardless of the theme of the pajama party. Dim or turn off the main lights and add fairy lights instead to create a cozier atmosphere.
- Pick a theme for the party and decorate accordingly. For example, if you’re having a rockstar-themed pajama party, you could have decorations like CDs or cutouts of music notes taped to the walls. You might even lay down a red carpet for your friends to pose on.
- If your pajama party is outdoors, count on setting up tents and having flashlights ready.
2
Prepare party favors. This only applies if your pajama party doubles as a birthday party.^{[6]
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Research source} Party favors could vary from store-bought trinkets, like mini-notebooks or key chains, to something you make with your guests at the party, like friendship bracelets or tye-dye shirts.
- If you plan to create party favors during the event, make sure to gather all the necessary items beforehand. For example, if you’re making keepsake collages, set aside glue, paper, scissors, and magazines the day before the party.
- You might also provide toothbrushes and toothpaste for your guests - these often go forgotten at pajama parties, but they are a thoughtful detail.
3
Clean up. Ask your friends to help you put away things - from games to food - in the morning so that cleaning up seems less like a chore. You can even make a game out of it - whoever can put away the most items gets a prize!

Expert Q&A

Question

What should you consider when you're planning a party?

Ivy Summer
Party Planner
Ivy Summer is a Certified Wedding Planner and the Owner of Voulez Events. Ivy has over 10 years of experience consulting, planning and coordinating weddings around the globe. She has also created a DIY online wedding planning workshop for couples, called "Plan Your Wedding Like A Pro." She currently resides in Greece where she continues to work with a worldwide network of planners and wedding professionals.

Ivy Summer

Party Planner

Expert Answer

The 5 biggest things to consider when you're planning a part are the location, the date, the start time, the end time, and your budget.
Question

Can you have a pajama party during the COVID pandemic?

Ivy Summer
Party Planner
Ivy Summer is a Certified Wedding Planner and the Owner of Voulez Events. Ivy has over 10 years of experience consulting, planning and coordinating weddings around the globe. She has also created a DIY online wedding planning workshop for couples, called "Plan Your Wedding Like A Pro." She currently resides in Greece where she continues to work with a worldwide network of planners and wedding professionals.

Ivy Summer

Party Planner

Expert Answer

You really have to be aware of the restrictions in the county you live in, as well as your own level of comfort when it comes to having an event. For instance, you might consider things like are you going to require your guests to have a vaccine or provide proof of a negative COVID test?

Warnings

Keep the noise level down, especially if you stay up past 11 pm. This is a way to be considerate of others who live in the house and of neighbors.

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Serve sugary snacks at least an hour before bedtime to avoid stomach aches and sugar highs.^{[7]
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