A Year of Slumber Parties. Aubre Andrus
the recipes, favors, and decorations. If
any can be made ahead of time, get started.
The day before…
Pick out your party outfit, make a music
playlist, and create a schedule of events.
The day of…
Finish off any recipes or decorations that
had to wait until the last minute.
What can I do to make sure
it’s a great party?
1. Set up a snack table and easy-to-grab
drinks so that guests can serve them-
selves whenever they like.
2. Turn on the tunes! Upbeat music when
your guests arrive sets the mood for fun.
3. Introduce everyone to one another so
that no one feels shy or left out.
4. Share a big smile. It’s contagious!
Should I follow a schedule?
Plan out a general schedule for your party,
especially when it comes to games and
crafts. Make sure you have enough time
and space to do everything. It’s OK to stray
from the plan and ask guests for their ideas,
though!
What about cleanup?
You’re in charge! Before guests leave, scour
the house for anything they may be leaving
behind. Once your friends have gone, take
down decorations, do the dishes, and take
out the trash. Your parents are more likely
to let you have another sleepover if you
take care of the cleanup.
CRAFT WITH CARE
Get Help!
Anytime you see this hand or when you
think a project or recipe is too hard to do
by yourself, ask an adult to help you. Be sure
an adult is ALWAYS there to supervise any
cooking and cutting.
Ask First
If craft instructions say to reuse an item, such
as an old shirt, fabric, or pillow, ask an adult
for permission before you use it.
Craft Smart
Always cover the table or other work surface
to protect it. If an instruction says cut, use safety scissors. If it says glue, use the glue specified: liquid craft glue, decoupage glue (Mod Podge®), adhesive dots (Glue Dots®), or a glue stick. If it says paint, use a nontoxic acrylic paint or watercolor. Before using any supplies, ask an adult to look them over— especially paints and glues. Some supplies are not safe for kids.
Put It Away
When you’re not using them, put your craft
supplies up high or store them away from
little kids and pets.
January
UP-ALL-NIGHT NEON PARTY
There’s no need to be afraid of the dark at this party. Let’s glow!
Invitation
Create an eye-popping invite with neon
markers or gel pens on black card stock.
Or write your party details on white card
stock using a glow-in-the-dark marker—
and attach a neon-colored sticky note
that tells your guests how to read the
mystery message!
Decorations
For this party to be its neon brightest, set
up black lights, which can be found at party
supply stores or online. They will make many
things glow—even your teeth!
BRIGHT BALLOONS
Ask an adult to blow up white balloons
to stretch them, and then let the air
back out. Activate glow sticks according to
directions, and insert one into each balloon.
A folded 8-inch glow stick or a 4-inch light-
stick pendant works best. Blow up the bal-
loons again, and tie them.
POPPING PLACES!
On the table, surround neon-colored plates
with glow-stick necklaces. Set out neon cups,
and place a pair of neon straws in each one.
GARLAND GLOW
Make a garland with neon dot sticker
labels. Start at one end of a length of
ribbon, and sandwich the ribbon between two
stickers. Repeat the stickers every 3 inches
along the ribbon. Ask an adult to help you
hang the garland along the edge of a table or
on a wall.
Food & Drink
When you place these glowing goodies near a
black light, they will glow because of a secret
ingredient: tonic water!
GLOW GELATIN
With an adult, follow the directions on a
box of blue gelatin, but replace the
water with tonic water (a name brand works
best). Add 1 teaspoon of sugar. Pour the mix
into clear plastic cups, and place them in the
refrigerator to set. Serve with spoons.
GLOW PUNCH
Follow the directions on any powdered
lemonade drink mix, but replace the water
with tonic water (a name brand works best).
Stir slowly. If the lemonade tastes bitter, add
sugar—a little at a time—to sweeten.
NEON BARK
Ask an adult to melt a 10-ounce bag
of dark chocolate candy melts in the
microwave according to package directions.
Then have the adult pour the melted candy
onto a 9-inch-by-13-inch cookie sheet