11 Summer Sleepover Ideas (for Some Pure Summer Magic)

Summer sleepover ideas that are easy to pull off and will help deepen your child’s friendships before the new school year starts.

Maybe you’re celebrating your child’s milestone with a sleepover instead of a large party, or you want to give your child a chance to deepen friendships before the school year starts again.

Longer summer days, when living is about equal between indoors and outside, are a great time to host a sleepover.

Make yours unforgettable with summer sleepover ideas that are easy to pull together (no trampoline or pool needed).

DIY Summer Sleepover Ideas

No trampoline, pool, or fancy outdoor lawn equipment?

No worries – these are cool summer sleepover ideas that you can easily set up.

1. Do a Bubble Gum Tasting Sesh

There are like a bazillion gum flavors out there.

SO, I got the idea to collect a bunch of them and let my 9-year-old son and his cousin test out the different flavors (something he REALLY was interested in, since we don’t generally let him have gum). 

Which flavor was the best? Which gum did they prefer? Which was easiest to chew?

They took this task very seriously (and LOVED getting to taste so many different kinds), and a good time was had.

At the end, I let each of them choose a pack of their favorite to keep.

2. Paint Patio Glass Mural Outside with Washable Window Crayons

Got outside windows or a big patio glass door?

These washable Window crayons work great on glass (and they don’t drip or make a big mess).

Buy a pack, and let everyone create their own mural or masterpiece while outside.

Hint: check out how easily it washes off with a washcloth.

3. Vote for the Worst-Tasting Chip

There are LOADS of chip flavors available in snack sizes at the Dollar Tree.

Set up a tasting station, where guests get to taste some of these weird and wacky flavors.

You’ll need:

• Small bowls or cups for each flavor
• Marbles or poker chips
• A number or name label for each
• Napkins + water

Then, they get to do something kids, tweens, and teens LOVE – give their opinion. They’ll use poker chips, marbles, or something else to physically cast their votes for the worst-tasting variety.

The “winning” variety? Gets announced, and everyone can taste it again to confirm (if they’d like!).

Hint: you can do this with other things, too, like Oreo flavors, Pop-Tarts, candies, etc. And if you like this idea? Then definitely check out my sleepover snack ideas, and 100 things to do at a sleepover post. It's legendary.

4. Play Glow in the Dark Corn Hole

Chances are good that kids/teens will be up past dark…which is where this fun edition of neon corn hole comes in handy!

5. Gather Round a Gourmet S’mores Station

It doesn’t take much to uplevel some common s’mores – like adding in unicorn marshmallows, or Rolos.

You can create several packets of these gourmet s’mores ahead of time and invite kids/teens to make their own at a supervised fire pit time out back, or with an electric s’mores station you simply plug in.

6. Make Miniature Japanese Candy Foods

I was sooooo excited to come across these brightly-colored boxes of miniature candy food crafts at our local Asian food market.

And the three preteens who got to use them were, too!

I can’t even describe to you the glee in the three preteens’ eyes as they used two Popin’ Cookin’ kits last year to build mini-ice-creams and cheeseburgers made entirely of candy.

Such a fun and doable project that’s perfect for summer sleepovers.

Hint: This is such a fun activity with friends. Here are 28 other things to do with friends when bored.

7. Play a Giant Dice Game in the Yard

A set of giant yard dice can go a long way as a fun outdoor game for summer sleepovers.

You can use them to start a game of Yahtzee or Yard Farkle.

It’s also a great ice-breaker to warm a group up.

Here are other backyard activities for older kids.

8. Kick Around a Giant Soccer Ball

I found this giant soccer ball on clearance at a grocery store, of all things, and decided to give it a try (similar to this one).

I can’t describe how fun it’s been for not only our family, but for all the kids in our neighborhood!

It’s nice and light, and fun to kick around.

Super fun for some unique outdoor play at a summer sleepover.

9. Set Up a Glow-in-the-Dark Body Stickers Station

There are some really cool body stickers and body tattoos that will glow in the dark.

You can set up an attic space, guest bathroom area, or other area that is dark for kids and teens to choose the stickers they want to put on their arms, legs, faces, etc.

As night comes on, they’ll enjoy popping outside and seeing them glow (or, turning off all the lights indoors and watching everyone glow while chit-chatting about the latest school drama!).

10. Set Up a Nighttime Hangout Area in the Backyard

Create a soft-lit, cozy hangout zone outdoors without having to worry about a fire – love that!  

Gather a bunch of battery-operated candles and place them around a hangout area in the backyard.

You can include lots of pillows, cushions, and blankets to make a super cozy “blanket nest” area (or just patio chairs and beach towels – use what you’ve got).

That way, everyone can have more spaces to interact in than just indoors (without you worrying about the fire). 

11. Play the Would You Rather Plushie Toss Game

Grab a small plushie toy from your kid’s room or the attic, and one of these wacky Would You Rather books (like this Gross edition).

Teens and kids take turns throwing the plushie for 30 seconds, and whoever is left with it when the timer stops must:

• Open the book to a random page
• Read a “Would You Rather” question out loud
• Give their choice

I hope I've given you some seriously great ideas and activities for your next summer sleepover. If it's anything like the ones I used to go to when I was 12 or so, then your child is in for some serious bonding time, snacks, and giggles (lots of giggles) they'll remember for the rest of their lives. I know I have!