Fun and Creative Sleepover Crafts for Kids

When I was a kid, sleepovers were everything — snacks everywhere, giggles that lasted way past bedtime, and the thrill of staying up “just five more minutes.” But you know what made those nights extra special? The crafts. There’s something about making friendship bracelets or painting pillowcases with your best friends that sticks with you. Now, as a parent (or maybe the “cool aunt”), I totally get how tricky it can be to keep a group of kids busy and happy once the movie ends. That’s where sleepover crafts for kids come in — fun, creative, and perfect for those late-night bursts of energy. In this guide, I’ll share easy, no-stress craft ideas that don’t require fancy supplies or hours of prep. So grab some glitter, markers, and snacks — let’s make your next sleepover one the kids will remember (and maybe even clean up after).

Sleepover Crafts for Kids

Sleepover crafts for kids make the night extra fun and creative, turning simple hangouts into memorable adventures. These easy, hands-on projects keep little guests entertained while sparking imagination and laughter.

Friendship Bracelets

There’s just something so sweet about sitting in a circle with your friends, tangled in colorful threads, laughing when someone knots it wrong, and swapping bracelets at the end. I’ve done this at almost every sleepover I’ve ever hosted, and honestly, it never gets old. All you need is some embroidery floss in bright colors, a little tape to hold it down, and a bit of patience. Kids love choosing colors that match their personalities—pink and purple for the dreamy ones, neon green for the wild ones. It’s adorable watching them proudly wear their creations like little friendship trophies.
To be fair, I’ve found that younger kids sometimes get frustrated with the knotting part, so I usually show them a simple braid pattern first. Once they get the hang of it, they can try more complicated ones like the chevron or heart pattern. And don’t forget to put their names or initials on a tag—it makes the bracelets feel extra special and personal.

DIY Pillowcases

Now, this one’s an absolute hit at every sleepover I’ve hosted. Kids love the idea of decorating something they’ll actually use that night. I just spread out a few plain white pillowcases, some fabric markers or paints, and let them go wild. The results? Colorful doodles, random stars, even some “best friends forever” scribbles. I once had a kid draw their dog on the pillowcase—it turned out surprisingly good!
Honestly, the best part is watching how focused everyone becomes when they realize this will be their actual sleeping pillow. It’s also super easy cleanup—just make sure to use washable, non-toxic paints. Once the designs dry, I pop them in the dryer for a few minutes to set the color. The next morning, it’s so cute seeing everyone’s personalized pillowcases lined up. It feels like a little art gallery of sleepover memories.

Glow-in-the-Dark Jars

Okay, I’m obsessed with this one—it’s like holding a piece of the night sky in your hands. I remember trying this with a group of kids and seeing their faces light up (literally) when we turned off the lights. You’ll need clean glass jars, glow-in-the-dark paint, and maybe a sprinkle of glitter if you’re feeling fancy. Dab the inside with dots or swirl patterns, let them dry, and then switch off the lights. Instant magic!
In my opinion, this craft is perfect for winding down before bedtime. The kids can keep their glowing jars beside their sleeping bags as little nightlights. To be fair, it’s also a nice way to calm the mood after all the games and giggles. Just make sure lids are tight so no paint dries out. Every time I see those jars glowing, I think—yep, pure childhood wonder in a bottle.

Tie-Dye T-Shirts

Tie-dye is messy, chaotic, and absolutely worth it. I’ve hosted tie-dye sessions outside on a plastic-covered table, and let me tell you, the laughter is contagious when someone’s hands turn bright blue. Each kid gets a plain white tee and picks their colors—it’s always fun to see their personalities come through in their choices. The twisting and rubber-banding part always makes them feel like they’re prepping some secret project.
Honestly, I love watching their reactions when we rinse the shirts and the patterns appear. It’s that “whoa!” moment every single time. To keep things organized, label each shirt with the kid’s name before dyeing. And pro tip: use squirt bottles for less mess. Once the shirts are dry, it’s adorable to see everyone wearing their creations like a colorful pajama team. It’s creative chaos at its finest, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Beaded Keychains

Beads everywhere—that’s what your table will look like, but it’s so worth it. Beaded keychains are perfect for little hands and big imaginations. I’ve found that giving kids a mix of letter beads, charms, and bright colors keeps them busy for ages. One time, a group ended up making keychains for each other—it was honestly the sweetest thing.
It’s super simple: just some string or cord, beads, and key rings. Tie a knot at the end, thread your design, and finish with a tight knot. The fun part is how everyone’s style shows up—some go for neat patterns, others just throw colors together, and both look amazing. To be fair, I always keep a magnet handy because beads love rolling under furniture. In the end, they’ve got something small, cute, and completely personal to clip onto their bags or keys.

Decorate Your Own Sleep Mask

This one feels so fancy but is ridiculously easy to set up. I usually buy plain fabric sleep masks in bulk and lay out markers, stickers, gems, and fabric glue. Kids go all out—some make unicorn masks, others write “Do Not Disturb” across theirs in glitter. It’s hilarious seeing them put on their creations at bedtime.
In my opinion, this craft works best when everyone’s winding down. They get to decorate, giggle at each other’s designs, and then actually wear them for the night. I once joined in and made one with sequins that wouldn’t stop shedding—lesson learned, but worth it for the laughs. Just make sure you’re using soft materials so it’s comfy to wear. By the end, it feels like a mini spa session, and everyone loves pretending they’re in a fancy sleep lounge.

Painted Rocks

There’s something so calming about painting rocks. I started doing this with kids at a camping sleepover, and it instantly became a favorite. Just gather smooth stones, lay down some newspapers, and hand out paints and brushes. I’ve seen everything from cute animals to abstract rainbows—honestly, the creativity never fails to amaze me.
I’ve found that adding a little story element makes it even more fun. Ask each kid to paint a “lucky rock” or “friendship pebble” and share its meaning. Once they dry, they can take them home as keepsakes or hide them around the yard for a rock hunt in the morning. To be fair, it’s also one of the least messy crafts, which I totally appreciate after glitter explosions. Simple, meaningful, and surprisingly soothing—it’s a keeper.

Photo Frame Decorating

This one always feels extra special because it ties into the memories you’re making right there. I like giving each kid a plain wooden or cardboard frame, some paints, buttons, stickers, and washi tape. Watching them decorate while giggling over selfies they just took—it’s so wholesome.
In my opinion, this is the perfect craft for capturing the night’s magic. You can print a group photo later and mail it to them, or let them leave a space for one. I’ve even had kids draw a little picture to go inside until they get a real photo. To be fair, everyone loves having something they can display at home. It’s not just a frame—it’s a piece of the sleepover frozen in time.

Dream Catchers

I’ve always loved dream catchers—they’re so pretty and meaningful. Kids adore making them too. You’ll need hoops (metal or embroidery), string or yarn, beads, and feathers. I usually start by showing a simple weaving pattern, then let everyone add their own flair. It’s fascinating how each one turns out differently.
Honestly, this craft tends to get everyone chatting quietly—it has this peaceful energy to it. Sometimes we even talk about dreams and what we want to “catch” in life. To be fair, younger kids might need help tying knots, but once they get going, they’re hooked. When we hang them up near sleeping bags, the whole room looks magical. It’s such a beautiful, relaxing way to end the night.

Paper Lanterns

Paper lanterns bring instant charm to any sleepover. I like using colored paper, scissors, and LED tea lights (never real candles, of course). The kids love cutting out patterns and seeing how their lanterns glow once the lights are inside. It’s like turning your room into a tiny wonderland.
I remember one sleepover where everyone decided on a theme—stars and moons—and we hung all the lanterns from the ceiling. The soft glow made everything feel cozy and dreamy. In my opinion, it’s one of those crafts that turns into an experience, not just an activity. Plus, it doubles as decor, so your space instantly feels like a fairy-tale hideout. Honestly, it’s pure magic in paper form.

Mini Scrapbooks

This one tugs at my sentimental side. I love giving kids mini notebooks, some photos, stickers, and washi tape, and letting them create memory books from the night. They’ll jot down jokes, doodle little moments, and paste candy wrappers as “souvenirs.” It’s adorable.
To be fair, it does take a bit of setup, but it’s worth it when you see how personal each scrapbook becomes. I’ve even had kids exchange pages and write messages for each other. It’s such a lovely keepsake of friendship and fun. Honestly, when you look back at those little books months later, it’s impossible not to smile.

Nail Art Station

Setting up a nail art station instantly makes the sleepover feel like a mini salon. I usually grab a bunch of colorful nail polishes, stickers, and maybe some nail gems. Kids love painting each other’s nails while gossiping and giggling—it’s like their own little beauty spa.
In my opinion, it’s more about the fun of doing it together than the actual results (though some designs turn out surprisingly good!). To be fair, keep nail polish remover and cotton pads handy—accidents happen. I once ended up with a sparkly blue thumb, but it just added to the fun. Add some music and snacks, and you’ve got the ultimate chill craft moment.

Puffy Paint T-Shirts

This one’s equal parts messy and hilarious. I remember trying this for the first time and realizing how much kids love squeezing puffy paint bottles like frosting. Each person gets a plain T-shirt, and then they just go for it—names, doodles, random hearts, and swirls everywhere.
Honestly, the best part is when they all decide to wear their shirts once they dry—it’s like a DIY fashion show. To be fair, make sure you’ve got a good drying space because puffy paint takes a while to set. Sometimes I even let them add glow paint for nighttime fun. It’s creative chaos, but that’s what makes it perfect for a sleepover.

Collage Art

Collage art is where imagination just explodes. I set out magazines, old cards, scissors, glue, and a bunch of colored paper. It’s so fun watching everyone cut and paste random bits into something totally unique. I once saw a kid create an entire “dream room” collage—it was amazing.
In my opinion, collage is freeing—there’s no right or wrong, just pure expression. To be fair, it can get a bit messy with paper scraps everywhere, but it’s worth the cleanup. Everyone ends up sharing what their collage means, and you get these little glimpses into their thoughts and creativity. It’s personal, fun, and always full of surprises.

DIY Slime

Ah, slime—the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Kids can’t get enough of it, and honestly, I kind of love it too. All you need is glue, baking soda, and contact lens solution. Add food coloring or glitter if you want to get fancy. Watching the mixture turn from sticky to stretchy never fails to make everyone squeal.
To be fair, it’s messy, but that’s part of the fun. Just make sure to have wipes ready and a big plastic mat. I once made glitter slime that somehow got in my hair—but hey, good memories! The best part is everyone gets to take their slime home in little jars, a perfect souvenir from a night full of laughter and creativity.

Turning Crafts into Sleepover Keepsakes

Crafts made during a sleepover aren’t just fun — they can become special keepsakes that remind kids of a night full of laughter and friendship. Turning these creations into lasting memories makes the experience even more meaningful.

• Encourage kids to swap or gift their creations as a sweet reminder of their time together.

• Take group photos with their finished crafts to capture the fun moments.

• Create a “memory corner” to display all crafts before bedtime for everyone to admire.