These questions are for the talking part of a sleepover: kids in sleeping bags, cousins staying at a grandparent’s house, teens after the movie, or grown-up friends on a weekend away. The groups go from easy to quiet. Start with the openers while people are settling in, move to funny stories, and save the quieter questions for when the lights are down.
How to use them
One person asks and anyone can answer, or go around the circle once. Let people pass without a reason. When the answers get shorter and people start yawning, that’s the end of the round. There’s no need to keep anyone up.
With younger kids, an adult or older child can read the questions and pick the ones that fit. Leave out teasing about someone’s fears, sleep habits or family.
The quieter questions
The “lights are low” group asks about friends, hopes and good memories. These are often where the best answers come, because nobody has to look at anyone. Ask one, listen, and say thanks. If an answer turns sad, it’s fine to stop there and say something kind rather than ask more.
Keeping a memory
If the group wants a keepsake from the night, a group photo or a drawing is plenty. Ask before you record or post anyone, and never record someone who is asleep.
If cousins are staying at a grandparent’s house, ask the grandparent what sleepovers were like when they were young. The questions for grandparents have more to try. For games instead of talk, see the sleepover games.