Having “family sleepover” in living room

[HairyLairy]

DC (age 8 & 4) both really want us all to camp out in the living room tomorrow and all go to bed at the same time. I have agreed but now wondering of ways I could make it more special. So far my only idea is popcorn/ movie which we’ve done a lot of during lockdown anyway. It’s the only thing they’ve asked for after our holiday was cancelled, so I’m keen on it being special.

[tinierclanger]

I’m sure people will pile on with a ton of lovely suggestions, but I guarantee you merely the novelty of all sleeping in a big pile in an unusual place with a movie and popcorn in bed will be enough to make it special and memorable, so don’t worry about having to do more

[suziedoozy]

Could you rig some kind of tent / den set up with a bedsheet or blanket between the furniture? Then maybe a nightlight or something in there? Along with lots of cushions and maybe some lovely snacks for a ‘midnight feast’?

[Nombrechange989]

How about making a roof out of blankets over each bed? Use torches to make shadows on the ceiling. Sounds like it'll be fun.

[BuffaloCauliflower]

Den/tent roof made of sheets?

[CommunistLegoBloc]

Glow sticks and torches! Midnight feast, den building, perhaps stories as well as movies, board games, maybe even scaled down party games with some little prizes?

[HairyLairy]

Lovely ideas. Much more imaginative than I could have been. Thanks.

[Drinkingallthewine]

Dig out the fairy lights and deck the living room out?
Make a picnic-style tea for them?

[Sarahbeans]

When my kids were little I made a truth or dare box. Just truth slips on one coloured paper and dares on the other. They found it hilarious and played it from that age for years. Really silly things like stand on the front step and shout "I'm an idiot" at the top of your voice (their absolute favourite), pretend to be someone of the opposite sex (hilarious), tell the funniest joke you know etc etc. Just add really silly tasks. Mine loved it, and on occasion we played it with them, and they loved that even more.

Otherwise, set up your own version of taskmaster for silly tasks.

[MaryBoBary]

How about homemade pizza for dinner, my son loves putting the toppings on. Then some way of toasting marshmallows in fireplace/gas hob/candle

[HairyLairy]

@Sarahbeans

When my kids were little I made a truth or dare box. Just truth slips on one coloured paper and dares on the other. They found it hilarious and played it from that age for years. Really silly things like stand on the front step and shout "I'm an idiot" at the top of your voice (their absolute favourite), pretend to be someone of the opposite sex (hilarious), tell the funniest joke you know etc etc. Just add really silly tasks. Mine loved it, and on occasion we played it with them, and they loved that even more.

Otherwise, set up your own version of taskmaster for silly tasks.

I love this idea and I know the biggest DC will find it hilarious too. Thank you.

[Todaywewilldobetter]

Have you got a trampoline? My friends do it with fairy lights and cover it with blankets. They all love it!

[Thingsarel00kingup]

These are all brilliant suggestions - we did similar when mine were little and it's so fun and so special. One thing they loved (and still do) was lighting the chimnea and toasting marshmallows in it. They'd sit for hours watching the flames and chatting away. A disposable BBQ - outside! - would work for marshmallows.
Awww, have fun!! Mine are all grown up, miss those times.