Kids of all ages are eager for life to get back to normal. They want to have play dates, and by this point, yours may be wearing you down in pursuit of one the hallmarks of childhood — the sleepover.

Is it even safe to have a sleepover?   

Of course, it’s up each family to decide whether or not sleepovers are too risky for them or not. There’s having one friend stay the night and then there’s the type of sleepover that involves multiple children (and these days, multiple potential points of exposure.) However, If you decide that it’s safe at a distance, (and you live somewhere with weather that allows) you may want to host an outdoor sleepover. (Looking for guidance on how to prepare your child for their first sleepover? We've got you covered!)

A plan is key: 

The first step in arrangements is to talk to the other parents involved and find out how safely they have been playing the game of life. Have they been wearing masks and social distancing? It’s also important to consider whether they have high risk family members they will be seeing after their child spends the night at your house? 

Once the basics have been explored, you’ll want to set the scene for hygiene. You’ll want to use disposable plates and utensils, and keep things as separate as possible. Labeled water bottles, plentiful hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes for surfaces, individually wrapped food, and socially distanced sleeping spots are all musts. Of course, it goes without saying that masks remain on. 

But what will they do? 

Older kids won’t need any help entertaining themselves. If you’ve seen a teen gathering recently, you know they have perfected the art of “together but apart’ thanks to their mobile devices. To get them to put down their phones and have a shared experience, consider projecting a movie onto a large screen (or even the garage door or a fence.) Card games aren’t a bad idea, either! Younger children will need to be more supervised to make sure they maintain physical distancing. 

What are my other options? 

If the outside sleepover isn’t realistic or convenient, you can always offer up the virtual sleepover. The idea of spending the night with a friend via Zoom may be met with moans or eyerolls, but those reactions can be equally met with an adage from the parenting hall of fame. “It’s better than nothing, right?” Plus, there are so many Zoom games you can play.

What does that look like? 

Take the virtual party beyond just static meet and chat, with these ideas. Many kiddos will think it’s hilarious to bring their friend to dinner with the family by propping their table up on the table and letting their friend sit in on dinner. They may also enjoy taking their iPad to bed to talk to their friend as they fall asleep. 

Take the hybrid approach

If you live close enough, consider letting young friends meet up outside for a socially different breakfast. Pick up donuts and kid coffee and deliver to the home of the friend, then let them dine together al fresco. 

Virtually no issues

Hey, look at it this way...a virtual sleepover is less mess and less stress. There’s zero possibility of anyone putting toothpaste in someone’s shoe or their hand in a bowl of water. (Do today’s kids even know about those “Parent Trap-eque type tricks?” 

Whatever you decide, just know that the end is in sight, and before you know it, you’ll be back to the life of full houses, telling people to “go to sleep,” and wondering how so few kids can make so much food disappear.