What to buy for a sleepover

A sleepover needs more than snacks and sleeping bags. Plan food and drinks for the full evening, plus enough bedding, tableware and activities for everyone staying overnight. This checklist also covers the items people often remember too late: extra sleeping surfaces, extension leads, bathroom supplies and equipment for a film or games. Count guests first, then adjust quantities for allergies, dietary needs and arrival times.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Children's tablesqty 2
Chairsqty 10
Air mattressesqty 4
Sleeping matsqty 4
Folding table

Tableware

Platesqty 12
Bowlsqty 12
Drinking glassesqty 12
Mugsqty 10
Cutlery setsqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting Boardsqty 2
Kitchen knivesqty 2
Serving plattersqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 3
Cake Knife

Equipment

Bluetooth Speaker
Extension Cordsqty 2
Power Stripsqty 2
Laptop
Projector
Projection screen

Decorations

Balloonqty 30
Bannersqty 4
Tableclothsqty 2
Party hatsqty 10
Napkin holderqty 2

Lighting

String Lightsqty 2

Sports equipment

Board gamesqty 5
Card gamesqty 3
Pillowsqty 10

Cleaning

Trash binsqty 3
Vacuum Cleaner
Mop
Bucket
Cleaning glovesqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Apples - 10 pieces
- Bananas - 10 pieces
- Grapes - 2 bunches
- Cucumbers - 3 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 500 gram
- Carrots - 1 kilo
- Paprika chips - 2 bags
- Plain chips - 2 bags
- Tortilla chips - 2 bags
- Popcorn kernels - 500 grams
- Salted popcorn - 2 bags
- Pretzels - 2 bags
- Cookies - 3 packs
- Mini pizzas - 16 pieces
- Pasta - 1 kilo
- Pasta sauce - 2 jars
- Grated cheese - 400 grams
- Pizza bases - 4 pieces
- Tomato sauce - 2 jars
- Mozzarella - 4 balls
- Bell peppers - 4 pieces
- Mushrooms - 500 grams
- Ham - 300 grams
- Bread - 4 loaves
- Bread rolls - 12 pieces
- Croissants - 12 pieces
- Peanut butter - 1 jar
- Chocolate spread - 1 jar
- Strawberry jam - 1 jar
- Cheese - 500 grams
- Ham - 400 grams
- Eggs - 12 pieces
- Butter - 2 packs
- Milk - 4 liters
- Yogurt - 2 liters
- Muesli - 1 kilo
- Cornflakes - 2 packs
- Birthday cake - 1 piece
- Whipped cream - 2 cans
- Ice cream - 2 liters
- Cola - 3 bottles
- Cola Zero - 2 bottles
- Orange soda - 2 bottles
- Apple juice - 2 packs
- Orange juice - 2 packs
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Syrup - 2 bottles
- Coffee - 1 pack
- Tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Kitchen paper - 2 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 1 roll
- Dish soap - 1 bottle
- All-purpose cleaner - 1 bottle
- Toilet cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 1 pack
- Laundry detergent - 1 bottle

Tips

Plan about 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per hour. Keep water available alongside the welcome drinks and other refreshments.
Allow two main meal servings per guest, plus 2–3 snack portions for the evening. Check dietary requirements before shopping so you are not trying to replace missing ingredients at the last minute.
Provide one sleeping surface, pillow and blanket per guest, with at least one spare sleeping mat or airbed if space allows. Set up the sleeping area before guests arrive rather than after the evening activities.
Count plates, bowls, glasses, mugs and cutlery against the guest list, then add two or three spare sets. Napkins, serving bowls and serving spoons are easy to overlook when the food itself is already planned.
Test the laptop, projector, screen and Bluetooth speaker at least one day before the sleepover. Check that extension cords and power strips reach the equipment without creating a trip hazard across the room.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a sleepover?: Plan two servings of the main meal per guest and 2–3 snack portions for the evening. Add one extra full serving for every 8–10 guests in case someone arrives hungry or food is spilled.
How many drinks should I buy for a sleepover?: Allow 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour and one per person for each following hour. For a six-hour sleepover with 8 guests, that is roughly 56–64 drinks, including water and other non-alcoholic options.
How many airbeds or sleeping mats do I need?: You need one sleeping surface per overnight guest, plus one spare if you have room. Count airbeds, sleeping mats and other available beds separately, and check that each guest also has a pillow and blanket.
When should I prepare the sleepover shopping list?: Make the first list at least 7 days before the sleepover, once attendance and dietary needs are known. Buy non-perishable items 2–3 days ahead and fresh food and chilled drinks on the day before.

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