Your child’s first night away from home can feel like a big step – for both of you! Whether they’re having a sleepover at their grandparents’, staying with relatives or spending the night at a friend’s house, it’s natural to wonder if they’re ready and how you can help everything go smoothly.
There’s no ‘right’ age for a first sleepover. Some children can’t wait for their first night away, while others need a little longer before they feel comfortable. The most important thing is that your child feels happy, secure and ready.
Here are some simple ways to prepare for their first overnight stay and help bedtime away from home feel reassuringly familiar.
When is a child ready for their first sleepover?
Every child is different, so readiness is much more important than age. Some children will happily stay with grandparents when they’re young but might feel less confident sleeping at a friend’s house, for example.
Your child may be ready for an overnight stay if they:
- Ask if they can stay overnight
- Are generally comfortable being away from you
- Know and trust the person they’re staying with
- Feel able to ask another adult for help
- Understand that they can phone you or come home if they need to
If they’re unsure, there’s no need to rush. Waiting until they’re genuinely excited about the idea can make their first sleepover a much happier experience.
Choosing where your child stays overnight
For many children, a night at their grandparents’ or another close relative’s home is a lovely way to experience their first overnight stay. They already know the people and surroundings, which can make bedtime easier.
A sleepover with a friend can feel like a bigger step. Make sure you’re comfortable with the adults who will be looking after your child and have a chat about the arrangements beforehand.
It can be useful to know who’ll be at home, where the children will sleep, what they have planned and how you can contact each other if needed.
You don’t need to plan for every eventuality, but you should feel confident that your child will be safe and well looked after.
Preparing your child for their first night away
Knowing what to expect can help take some of the uncertainty out of a first sleepover.
Talk through what will happen, including when you’ll drop them off, what they might do during the evening and when you’ll see them again. Let them know they can always phone you if they need some reassurance.
Keeping parts of their normal bedtime routine can also help. If bedtime at home usually means a bath, story, favourite cuddly toy and their sleeping bag, try to take some of those familiar things with them.
Even in a completely different bedroom, those familiar bedtime cues can help signal that it’s time to settle down and sleep.
Remember to tell the person looking after your child about any allergies, dietary requirements, medication or other important information, and make sure you have each other’s contact details.
What should I pack for a sleepover?
Packing your child’s overnight bag together is a good way to make sure nothing important gets forgotten – and can help build excitement for their first night away.
Your child’s sleepover packing list could include:
- Pyjamas or other nightwear
- Their usual sleeping bag or sleeping bag with feet
- Underwear and clothes for the following day
- Toothbrush, toothpaste and toiletries
- Favourite teddy, comforter or cuddly toy
- Bedtime book
- Night light, if they use one at home
- Any medication they need
- Anything else that forms part of their usual bedtime routine
For younger children in particular, familiar things from their own bedroom can make sleeping somewhere else feel much less daunting.
What happens if my child gets homesick?
Even a child who has been excited about their sleepover all week can suddenly feel differently when bedtime arrives.
Homesickness is normal, particularly when children are sleeping away from home for the first few times. Make sure your child knows beforehand that they can call you and that it’s OK if they decide they want to come home.
Sometimes a cuddle, story or a little reassurance from the adult looking after them will be enough to help them settle. But if they’re genuinely unhappy, there’s nothing wrong with ending the sleepover early.
They haven’t failed – and neither have you. There will be plenty of opportunities to try again.
Hosting a sleepover at your house
When it’s your turn to host, you don’t need to organise every minute of the evening. Often, the excitement of being together is entertainment enough!
Check with the other parent beforehand about allergies, medication, contact details and anything their child normally needs at bedtime.
Give the children time to play and settle into the evening. Small disagreements will often sort themselves out, although you can step in if they need some help.
If your guest becomes homesick, give them some reassurance and let them contact home. If they become unwell or remain upset, get in touch with their parent.
Finding it hard to let your child stay away?
Your child might be happily heading off with their overnight bag while you’re the one wondering whether you’re ready!
Try to keep your goodbye positive and relaxed. A hug, a reminder that they can call you and a cheerful goodbye can help show your child that you feel confident about their night away too.
Then make the most of a quieter evening at home – even if you do find yourself checking your phone slightly more often than usual!
Simple tips for a successful first sleepover
There’s no need for an elaborate itinerary. Giving children plenty of time to play, chat and enjoy being together is often all they need.
If the weather is good, they could play outside before dinner. Pizza-making, a favourite film, games or a bedtime story can all make easy sleepover activities without making the evening too busy.
Try to allow some time to wind down before bed too. With all the excitement, sleep may happen a little later than usual!
And if everyone is tired the following morning, keep the next day fairly relaxed where possible.
Most importantly, follow your child’s lead. A first overnight stay should be something they’re looking forward to, rather than something they feel they have to do.
A little bit of home at bedtime
New surroundings can feel very different once the lights go out. Bringing a few familiar things from home can make bedtime much more reassuring.
Their usual pyjamas, favourite cuddly toy, bedtime story and sleeping bag can all help recreate some of their normal bedtime routine.
At Slumbersac, our Sleeping Bags with Feet are available in sizes for babies and children, so their familiar sleeping bag can come along for nights at grandparents’, family holidays and those exciting first sleepovers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best age for a child’s first sleepover?
There isn’t one particular age that’s right for every child. Look at whether your child actually wants to stay overnight, feels comfortable away from you and knows and trusts the people they’ll be staying with.
How can I tell if my child is ready to sleep away from home?
A child who asks to stay overnight, is happy spending time away from you and feels comfortable asking another trusted adult for help may be ready. Make sure they also know they can contact you if they need to.
What should children bring for an overnight stay?
Useful sleepover essentials include pyjamas, clothes for the next day, toiletries and anything that makes bedtime feel familiar, such as their sleeping bag, favourite cuddly toy, bedtime book or night light.
Should I collect my child if they get homesick?
If your child is genuinely upset and wants to come home, it’s OK to collect them. Reassure them that they can try another sleepover when they feel ready.
How can I make sleeping away from home easier for my child?
Prepare them by talking about what will happen and keeping some of their usual bedtime routine. Taking familiar items from home can also help them feel more settled when it’s time to sleep.
