Help needed- boys sleepover, what do they do?

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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!

As they are only 10 I would definitely take them out for food (MacDonalds / pizza) as it limits mess. If you have a garden let them run wild, they will be excited and need to let off steam, if you don't and are planning the park make it into an activity like a scavenger hunt etc..

When mine were younger I let them have the living room, sofa bed / blow up bed / mattresses on the floor and sleeping bags - sweets and fizzy drinks in the kitchen ( maybe with board games?) Then back into the living room late for a movie with bottles of water / popcorn (not too messy to clean up) and then leave them to it.

Something easy for breakfast yogurts and toast as if they are over tired they probably won't eat much then an early pick up. I also get them to help with a 10 minute tidy - pack their bags / roll up sleeping bags / move mattresses. It's paid off as my son is now 15 and still has his friends for a sleepover (although last time they pulled an all nighter to watch all 3 lord of the rings and then woke me at 5 to say they were going to hike up the hill behind the house to watch the sun rise) they do however always tidy up my living room in the morning 🙂

Take them out for food, take them to an activity, possibly swimming. Don’t get in the pool too.
Don’t take them for a walk to local park.
Have plenty of snacks on hand, let them watch a film. Make sure there’s no access to internet for them.
Have some board games out too.

Christ do NOT organise a walk to the park, your son will die of embarrassment

We hired a bouncy castle.

Thanks everyone. Got the message about the park 😂 it’s got a skate park and they love it, but if they do want to go, I’ll send them without me!

yes, first sleepover and autistic child so I’m nervous! He has no plans or ideas and I wasn’t sure if the other kids will lead the play more, he needs to be given ideas but hopefully they can do it. They’re coming after football and a couple of them have rugby on Sunday morning so clear pickup has been arranged already.

any film suggestions that are suitable? Again, DS doesn’t usually watch films so not sure what they will enjoy that won’t scare them shitless!

One important detail we haven't covered: always check with the parents before letting any kids leave your house without adult supervision.

As a cautionary example, an 11-year-old girl named Kaliyah Coa tragically drowned after a sleepover when the kids were allowed to go out on their own to park and then to a nearby river. Her father later shared his frustration that no adult told him the kids were going outside.

Just keep in mind that as the host, you are responsible for the children until their parents pick them up!

Thank you. I think I’m the most worried about this as I’ve checked and other parents are fine (and people on here have suggested!) definitely no water or main roads!

Ask your son what they like to do. What movies. What snacks. What games (they may be into board games) etc etc. also expect noise giggles and silliness until about 11ish. It’s at that stage I used to knock on the door and say anyone making anymore noise gets a kiss goodnight. Obviously that was 39 years ago and wouldn’t be allowed now (safeguarding) but it worked a treat for total silence.

You will have to go to with them the skate park etc just incase.

depends how far it is? By 10, they all have phones. If something happen, they can ring mum as long as sh'es not far.

She should ask the parent’s permission.

no the walk in the park.

Mcdonalds then back to yours and they will just be silly and be boys and will have a great time. Just pop in occasionally with snacks and drinks and they will be fine.

Take them out for bowling and pizza, and/or football and frisbee in your garden if weather good and space allows, then movies and snacks in sleeping bags

Do you have Netflix or similar? Honestly the movie selection has always been tricky - very varying tastes and loads of different views on ratings and such. My son loves anything minions for silliness but it’s all pretty random. Have them each suggest one and then they can argue it out.

appreciate it’s a bit trickier with autism - my daughter is autistic so I had to be a bit more involved than many might as she doesn’t pick up most social cues. Mostly I rely on always having loads of good snacks!

We usually take them to a trampoline park, make a buffet at home so they can snack when they want as well, put the games out and just let them get on with it. Movie and popcorn goes down well too. Do they like playing footy? Then park would be good too.