Help needed- boys sleepover, what do they do?

[ShitMumsClubMember]

It’s my son’s birthday sleepover tomorrow night. 4 kids including him all 10 years old. We’ve not had a sleepover before and now I’m panicking about what will they do? None of them are gaming kids so they won’t be doing that. I was thinking of a trip to McDonald’s and a walk to the local park, but what else do they do? Do I need to plan activities? Any advice or help please!

Mum organising a walk to the park would be social death for any ten year old I know.

McDonald's - yes. Everything else, leave it to them.

they’ll work it out but I’d have a stack of silly games if I could find them, a few balls and frisbee, a film ans popcorn and more food. Have you got outside space you could roast marshmallows at and be silly in?

but don’t overthink it, they fill their time up with fart jokes and monotonous stories

They watch a film and entertain themselves with stupid jokes and excited chatter.

Mine made little narrative films using toys and Lego scenery. Or recorded inane ‘radio broadcasts’

You could do making home made pppcorn with them before film.

We let them go to the park across the road with nerf guns and then they came back and had pizza and watched movies

I’d chat to your son and agree on some films, get any suitable board games/games together and available for them. Do you have outside space? If so, does your son like football, cricket etc? If you have a trampoline that’s always good for burning off energy. Have you asked your son what he wants to do? Rather than physically going to McDonalds or similar, he might prefer to have it takeaway style at home whilst watching a film. Also not sure if this would be considered uncool but Toy Story 5 has just been released on Disney + if you have it.

If it's anything like any of my DD's sleepovers you'll be banished to your room and only useful for heating up the food and clearing the mess.

Watch a film
Popcorn
Late night snacks
Mess around
Make toast

No walk in the park!

I'd want to take them out somewhere- trampoline park etc. Then do food (either McDs or at home), cake etc. Then just let them play for a bit. More food. Then a film in their sleeping bags!

what time are they invited?

we either have an afternoon plan arranged in advance, could be anything
mini golf
footgolf
swimming pool inflatable (town swimming pool before anyone screams)
trampoline park
theme park even
Once they even went to the cinema

Or we have nothing planned at all, and either THEY meet at the park first, or just come here direct.
Pizzas
movies
games are out if they want them

I am only involved to bring food and snacks and make the beds

They do their own thing. At the moment they are obsessed with making movies, so they film all over the house, bicker about the script and acting, make a lot of noise then edit and have a 10-15 movie.

Leave them to it, they’ll entertain themselves. My daughter of a similar age has a sleepover coming up too. They will go to the park (without me but it’s round the corner), they’ll probably play games, play football, maybe watch a film. They’ll do some facemasks etc which 10 year old boys prob wouldn’t want to do! But when my son was that age, they mainly loved nerf gun fighting in the house and garden, playing football in the park or garden, making dens etc.

A walk to the park with Mummy would be social suicide.

I agree with many of the suggestions above, but I would have some scenarios ready, just in case. Much depends on their level of independence and hobbies. If this is their first proper sleepover party, they'll need a bit of extra guidance. Keep in mind that some may only want to go asleep at 2 (or even later), while others start getting cranky around 12. Having a movie available to start watching around 10 is always good, but have some suggestions ready as if they have to start looking for a movie at the spot, they may not find one/pick a 'wrong' one.

Something to release physical energy, like a frisbee or football game in the park.

Maybe McDonalds. Or get them to make their own pizzas with ready made bases and a variety of toppings. And make their own popcorn. Then put on a good funny film.

a den is a good idea for them to do. What about indoor climbing place?

Depends how mature the friendship circle is. Some 10 year olds would love a trip to the park together, others would think it was lame.

Movie night with popcorn and treats.

Make your own pizza.

Take them to an activity like bowling or climbing.

Some board/card games.

my son and his friends run around in circles (nerf guns or similar) then honestly play video games or watch a film. Too many sweets, loads of crisps, bed before midnight.

get ready for not sleeping if it's your first one.

My kids have friends that come very regularly, but others that I am not inviting more than once a year! Lovely kids but wrong sleep patterns 😂

you end up with kids who will sleep very late, because they naturally do and the excitement
but with kids that get up ridiculously early and wake the others up, so very short night

My 10 year old had 5 friends for a sleepover for his birthday. We took them out for pizza at a local restaurant (we sat on a separate table) then they came back to the house and entertained themselves. They ate a lot of sweets, played in the garden, watched shit on TV, played tag and generally made a lot of noise. They did eventually go to sleep around midnight and were up again at 6am. I made the mistake of taking them to a gaming place the next morning, in retrospect I should have done breakfast and then got them picked up at 10am. Good luck!!

Film night. Popcorn & pizza. Sorted.

I used to take my ten year old and his friend to a local nature site where they could run around. Then back home for movie and pizza.

Yeah. Definitely have a clear (and early!) pickup time

You just need to stay on the background and be a source of food and drink. They’ll do the rest.

Mine also liked making movies, nerf guns, playing football etc. I wouldn’t let them watch movies too early as they’ll get bored and start up as they should be winding down.

Football, film, Lego, takeaway, send them home with some plastic tat. You've got this.

At that age, they tend to be fully booked for the Saturday or Sunday mornings anyway, between training, matches!

I find sleepovers around inset days much easier, no rush in the morning. They can entertain each other and are less grumpy due to lack of sleep, and you don't have to waste your morning rushing to prepare breakfast because everyone is leaving early

Please, please don't plan a walk in the park for 10yr olds! Social suicide fgs!

Ask your DC what they'd like to do?

Board games/ garden football/ movies/ McDonalds etc all fine, but not with a parent 'supervising' at all times.

The boys will know what they'd like to do, just ask your son.