Hosting a sleepover party for your kids can be a daunting prospect. It can be enough trouble getting your own kids to sleep so how will you cope with a group in party mode. Sticking to a few do's and don'ts will make your sleep-over party a great success.

The Do's
1. Organize the sleepover like you would a normal party. Make sure you have enough food and drink.

2. Create one area where everyone can sleep. Even if it means turning the lounge room into a campsite with mattresses.

3. Make a time line for the party. This will depend on the age of the kids but establish a time when you'll serve food and when everyone has to be in bed.

Play energetic games and have dancing early on in the evening rather than later. Dim the lights and play a movie once everyone's in their pajamas at least it will slow things down a little. You know you're in for a late night but better a quiet one.

4. When each guest arrives, write down their parents contact details and any health problems the child might have. You may not need to use them but just in case of an emergency. It's better to know if a child is asthmatic or has sleeping problems.

5. Have some food that the kids can participate in. It could be make-your-own pizza where everyone has a pizza base and creates their own with the toppings you supply. Dipping fruit in chocolate or mixing candies like M&Ms and gummy bears into ice-cream.

6. Go and no go areas. Ensure everyone knows the location of the bathroom, whether they can help themselves to food in the kitchen and the areas of the house that are No Go areas. This will save any embarrassment later on.

5. Establish a time for when the children are to be picked up and decide whether you will be serving them breakfast or not. All in all be prepared.

A few things that you should avoid.

The Don'ts

1. Don't accept bad behavior from any of the children. It will disrupt the party. Give the child a warning and if their behavior persists, call their parents to collect them. If it's your child, deal with them away from their friends rather than humiliate them in front of a crowd.

2. Don't serve only junk food. Ensure there's some healthy food, even if it's a fruit platter and some dips with raw vegetables. They might surprise you.

3. Don't allow soda's to be drunk all night. As sleep time approaches and everyone's in their pajamas serve hot chocolate or warm milk and cookies.

4. Have an emergency plan. Who will look after the children if you have to rush one to the hospital? Make sure your car is full of petrol and you have your cell phone charged.

5. Don't plan anything big for yourself or your family the next day. You may all need a day to recover.

For anything to be successful you need a little planning. It can be a daunting responsibility having other peoples children overnight so think carefully before you agree to embark on the fun and excitement of a kids sleepover.

Learn more about this author, Belinda Youlten.
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