As a parent, it can sometimes be a little daunting when a daughter asks to have a sleepover. The noise and after-party clean up can be handled, but what most parents dread above all is finding entertaining ideas that will keep the fun going and ensure that none of your daughter's friends become bored. What better way to keep a small group of girls busy that by turning an ordinary sleepover into a craft party? If your daughter and her friends are old enough to handle scissors, glue, and other decorating utensils, then you should definitely consider the following craft ideas for your next slumber party!

Make T-Shirts

Homemade t-shirts are a fantastic way to get the kids' creativity flowing while also providing them with something useful that they can continue to wear with pride. There are plenty of ways that you can go about making a t-shirt. You can invest in several colors of fabric paint that will last through plenty of washing with little chance of cracking or peeling away. The girls can apply the paint using a paint brush or by using the fine-tipped nose of the paint bottle. If you have time to organize this activity before inviting your guests over, ask that they bring a plain t-shirt of their favorite color or just a plain white shirt. If this activity becomes a spur-the-moment idea then you might just run to your local shop and pick up a multi-pack of white shirts. Sponges, glitter fabric glue, stencils, and unused stamps are excellent tools that will encourage the girls' creativity and keep them busy for a while!

Decorate Flip Flops

Decorating flip flops is a great sleepover activity regardless of how young (or old) your guests are! Just ask everyone to bring a pair of flip flops and you can easily take care of the rest. You might consider using a hot glue gun (which you may need to operate yourself if you are hosting a children's sleepover). The hot glue will ensure that the girls' decorations don't fall off right away. As for the decorations, you can use anything from scraps of material to craft paint. You can even use buttons, feathers, rhinestones, beads, fake flowers, ribbons, and lace. Let the kids pick out their desired decorations and design their own upscale footwear! You can even put on an impromptu fashion show where the girls can model their awesome creations.

Keepsake Pillowcase

A keepsake pillowcase is a great activity! The design options are so plentiful that your guests should keep busy but also have plenty of fun throughout the process. It probably isn't recommended to use things like beads or buttons to decorate with because the children may actually want to use the pillowcases at home or at future sleepovers. Try getting a jumbo pack of various permanent marker colors. This will allow your guests to decorate their pillowcases with plenty of pizzazz while remaining washable and useable.

Tie Dye Fun

Who doesn't love tie dyed things? Your guests can have a real blast during the dying process and will end up with something that, even if it looks terrible, will remind them of all the fun they had at the sleepover. You can purchase a basic dye kit (including rubber bands and applicator bottles) for anywhere from $10 - $20 depending on how many things you want to create. Ask your guests to bring an article of plain white clothing when they come over. Shirts and pants work well but they could also bring socks or even a hat if they like! When you prepare the craft area for this project, you might consider laying down a few layers of newspaper or plastic bags to catch any spills or drips. You can research different tie dying techniques on the internet although your tie dye kit will probably come with basic instructions for traditional designs.

A craft party can be just the ticket to keeping your guests entertained throughout the night. Although the creation process isn't too long, the girls will be comparing and talking about their wonderful creations for the rest of the night!