Great combination party, make a new best friend to look after you during the sleepover!

PARTY INSTRUCTIONS

1. We suggest that you set up the party table before any guests arrive, with each guest given a space at the table where they can work on their teddy bear.

2. To protect against spills, cover the table to be used for the party with the pink table cover.

3. Each guest should be asked to start by designing and painting their teddy bear's T-shirt. Ensure that each guest has a small container of water for her paintbrush. A square or two of kitchen towel per guest is also advisable!

4. Ask the guests to paint their names or initials on their new friend's T-shirt or alternatively you can do this beforehand. This will save any discussion about which T-shirt belongs to which guest!

5. Once the guests have painted the T-shirt they need to let it fully dry, this will not take too long but if you need to speed it along a hair dryer works brilliantly! (If you wanted to break the craft activity to have a game, this is an ideal place to do it).

6. Each guest should be asked to start filling her teddy bear. Begin by filling the legs.

7. Next, let the guest make a special wish (butterflies and stars) then place it inside the teddy bear.

8. Remove the voice box from the packaging and rotate anti-clockwise. On the back is a switch turn it to record. Push in the box to record a special message. Turn the switch on the back to play, and press in your box to hear your message. The message can be re-recorded until you are happy with your greeting.

9. Place the box inside the teddy bear, now continue stuffing the teddy bear.

10. Once the guest has finished filling her teddy bear pull the thread on the zipper closure to close the plush. Secure the zipper head under the fabric pocket. Once this is done remove the thread to secure. Close the Velcro on the back

11. Let the guest choose a name for her teddy bear and fill in the birth certificate.

12. Now let the guests dress her teddy bear with her special t-shirt (making sure it is dry) and introduce her to the party.

14. No sleepover is complete without midnight snacks and movies, and for this we have supplied authentic popcorn boxes.

15. When things are settling down (at last!) there is a Foam Scrapbook that the party girl can use to capture all her memories of the special evening. All the guests will have fun joining in creating a unique memento. Asking each guest to write a special message is always a good idea and don't forget the photo?s during the party to fill the scrapbook!

Preparing the Party Bags

Before the party write a party guests name onto each party bag. There are many ways you could do this including having the party girl write each guests name and special message in the heart printed on the bag. This allows the party girl to feel she has contributed to the party preparation.

Each guest should leave the party with a Party Bag containing:

. Their special new friend

. Birth certificate

. Paintbrush and Paint Pot Set (Remember to ensue the paint pot sets are closed!)

. Anything else you may decide to add

Preparing the Party Bags

Before the party write a party guests name onto each party bag. There are many ways you could do this including having the party girl write each guests name and special message in the heart printed on the bag . This allows the party girl to feel she has contributed to the party preparation.

We also included an Autograph Bear in the box. This is a small gift from Party In A Pink Box to the party girl, simply ask each of the guests to sign the bear during the party and she will have something that she can remember the party by for many years to come.

SLEEPOVER PARTY IDEAS

Sleepovers have always been popular party ideas. Whether it's a backyard camp out or sleeping bags on the playroom floor, there's a special feeling to sharing late night laughs that makes for a great social gathering.

If you're planning for very young guests, make sure to include an option for last minute changes. If you are planning for tweens or teens, make sure to chaperone. Just an occasional entry to deliver snacks can let you keep an eye on the young adults while respecting their need for independence.

Sleepover (Sleepless) Party Tips:

You want the girls to have fun but it's still important to have a few rules or guidelines. Discuss them with your daughter before the party!

Get contact information for all guests in case of emergency.

Be sure you are aware of any allergies or medicines - especially for younger girls. Encourage your daughter to be a part of the planning she'll know what she and her friends like to do.

Send siblings to Grandmas or friends. They deserve a good nights sleep. Don't plan on doing anything the next day you will all be tired.

Provide ample time for the girls to simply "hang-out".Of course you will be around and supervising but they all love to be away from the Grown ups.

Be prepared take loads of fun pics, you and your child will want to remember this special party. A helpful hint: Order extra prints or make a CD and send them to the guests as a special thank you afterwards or give each guest their own disposable camera to use . Remember, it's not necessary to have everyone in each picture. Focus on small groups and avoid posing all the photos. Candids capture the laughter best!

SLEEPOVER PARTY DECORATIONS

First, be sure to designate a large space in your home for your sleepover party, by arranging furniture and other items. Fill your party room with pillows, blankets, beanbag chairs, and stuffed animals for a comfortable 'hang-out' space. Place several flashlights around to be used later in the evening. Set up the sleeping bags in a starburst pattern with the openings pointed toward the centre of the starburst. This assures that there won't be any fighting over who gets to sleep next to who. Cover the windows with black butcher paper. Hang twinkling light strands all around the party area. Scatter inflated balloons in the birthday girls' favourite colours.

SLEEPOVER GRAFFTTI

Keep a container of gel pens by the black paper-covered windows, for the girls to doodle on, throughout the evening.

SLEEPOVER PARTY GAMES

Sleeping Bag Obstacle Course

Create an obstacle course with couch cushions, chairs, tables, whatever is in the room and not breakable. Make two teams. The first player of each team gets into a sleeping bag. On "GO" the 2 first players from each team will hop through the obstacle course while staying in the bag. This is like a sack race. If the sleeping bag comes off, then the player must start over. When the first player is done, the next player on their team takes a turn. The first team to finish wins! For an extra challenge have the girls scoot like inchworms through the course as opposed to hopping.

Sleeping Beauty

Lay out a 'bed' with a blanket on the floor. Designate a player to be "IT".

That player lies down on the blanket?and pretends to sleep.

The other players try to wake her (make her laugh) with funny noises, songs jokes, or phrases when 'IT' wakes, she then chooses the next player. If she stays asleep for the allotted time, usually one minute maximum then she wins a prize to add to her bag.

Something's Glowing

Hide Several Glow in the dark items around the room or house.

Turn out the lights and set a timer.

The girls must find the items before the timer runs out.

BE SURE that this game is played with a clear floor space, for safety.

The players can use flashlights to manoeuvre around the playing space.

Name that Tune

Young children and preteens alike will love this fun, musical game?

* A mixed CD of Popular Songs

* A CD Player

Have the children sit down around the CD player. Play the first song on the mix, and let the guessing begin!

Give a small prize to the first person to guess the correct title of each song after it's played. Or, keep score during the game, awarding one point for every correct song title and another point for every correct artist named. Award a prize to the child or children with the most points at the end of the game.

Telephone

Everyone will get a good laugh during this goofy game of changing phrases!

Have everyone sit in a circle on the floor. Have the birthday girl start the game by thinking up a goofy line, such as "Purple cows sit in the pasture eating grass and making grape-flavoured milk." She should then whisper this line in the ear of the person sitting to her left, and so on around the circle until everyone has heard the phrase (or some variation of it).

The last player to hear the phrase should tell everyone what she thinks they heard, and then the birthday girl should tell everyone the original phrase. The whole group will get a good laugh from the silly transition the birthday girl's phrase has undergone.

Play several rounds, letting guests take turns coming up with goofy lines.

Ghost in the Graveyard

Your guests will love this late-night game of tag!

After dark, take all of your guests outside. Assign one child to be the "Ghost," and have her stand at a designated "Home Base."

To begin the game, the Ghost must count off the hours out loud (e.g. "one o'clock, two o'clock," and so on up to "twelve o'clock") while everyone else runs and hides. After saying, "twelve o'clock," the Ghost should start looking for people. If the Ghost spots someone, that person can try to run back to Home Base to avoid being tagged. (All players are safe once they reach Home Base.) Also, whomever spots the Ghost coming can yell, "Ghost in the graveyard! Run! Run! Run!" to warn the other children.

If the Ghost tags someone before they reach Home Base, that person becomes the Ghost for the next round. Play multiple rounds.

Scavenger Hunt

Create a custom scavengers hunt that all of your guests will enjoy!

Hide several prizes either indoors or outdoors. You can use all different items to fit in with your theme. Write out a list of clues to help your guests find the hidden prizes, and print enough copies so that each child can have her own list.

Ask the group if they would like to work alone, in pairs or in groups of two. (Take a vote, if necessary.) Pass out copies of the clues (one per child or one per group. See if they can find all of the prizes within a certain time limit and/or reward the child or group that finds the most prizes during the course of the party.

There are many variations of this game from which to choose, be creative, and play a different way every time!

Piggly-Wiggly

Everyone lays out their sleeping bags. Choose someone to be "it." They must leave the room. Everyone else hides inside the sleeping bags (not their own). When they are ready, "it" comes back in. She sits on one of the sleeping bags and says, "Piggly-Wiggly" the person inside says "oink, oink." 'It' must guess who is inside the bag. If they can?t guess move on to the next bag and try again If they are right, the person in the bag is it.

"I'm Grateful!" Chairs Game

Try this fun variation of "musical" chairs that's perfect for older kids!

Form a circle with chairs, using one fewer chair than there are players. Have each player take a turn saying a characteristic that they're "grateful for." For instance "I'm grateful for people with brown eyes," "I'm grateful for people wearing jeans," or "I'm grateful for people wearing red." When one player names something she is grateful for, all of the players who DO NOT have that characteristic should sit down immediately. The players that DO have that characteristic must then scramble for a seat. Whoever is left standing is out for the rest of the game, and the player who sat down last gets to say what they are "grateful" for next (which gives them one round to keep their seat). Once there are only 3 players left, one of the adults present should remove two of the three remaining chairs, and then say, "I'm grateful for people named..." and name all three children. Whoever gets the last seat is the winner!

Wits and Consequences

Partygoers will have a fabulous time with this question & answer game where everyone has a chance to win?

* A Bag of Balloons (at least 2 per guest)

* Strips of Paper (at least 2 per guest)

* 2 Large Dustbin Bags

* A Pen or Marker

Take half of the strips of paper, and write a different question related to your theme on each or keep it to general questions about popular T.V. shows, cartoons, or movies. Place each strip of paper inside of a balloon. Blow the balloons up and tie them off, making sure that the questions are visible inside. Label the two large dustbin bags "A" and "B," and then place all of the balloons in bag "A." Grab the second set of papers, and write some silly tasks on them, such as, "Rub your tummy and pat your head at the same time," or "Strut and cluck like a chicken three times." Place these inside the remaining balloons, blow them up, tie them off, and drop them into bag "B." Let each guest take a turn pulling a balloon out of bag "A" and reading the question contained inside out loud. Each guest should try to answer the question she selected. If the question is answered correctly, give the guest a small prize or sweet. If your guest can't give the correct answer, she must reach into bag "B," grab a balloon, and perform the silly task inside. If the guest performs the task, award her a small prize or sweet.

PARTY FOOD

When it comes to food, kids are usually perfectly content to eat pizza, hamburgers or hotdogs, which is certainly much easier on the hosts!

An easy FUN idea for dessert is an ice-cream bar. Set up a table with a selection of sweets, chocolates, sauces and anything you may wish to add to an ice-cream sundae. Let the guests make their own sundaes. Supervision may be required to make sure they don't go overboard!

Popcorn, bowls of candy, chips and dip, sodas, and juice are also good, quick snacks to have on hand the evening of a sleepover party. Don't forget that you'll need to feed most of your guests before they leave in the morning, too, which is why we've prepared this list of fun and creative breakfast ideas:

* Funny Face Bagels - Cut bagels in half and toast them, if desired. Slice smoked salmon into strips or chop chives to use for hair; cut small black olives in half for eyes; cut slivers of red peppers or halve small cherry tomatoes to use as mouths; cut baby carrots into quarters for noses; finely chop a choice if fruit or veg to use as freckles; and use any other fruit or vegetable you wish. Slather cream cheese on the bagels for a base that will hold all of the decorations. Then, let your partygoers make funny faces on their bagels using the pre-prepared fruits and veggies.

* Smiley Face Pancakes - Make a batch of pancakes, and set them out along with canned whipped cream, chocolate chips, maraschino cherry halves, chocolate syrup, blueberries or halved strawberries, or any other sweet treat that can be used to make eyes, a nose, a mouth, hair, etc., on each pancake. Let your guests decorate their pancakes the way they like.

* Restaurant-Style Breakfast - Let the kids decide who will help cook, who will "wait tables," etc. They can create an actual menu, picking from standard breakfast foods such as pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, and bagels. The "servers" can take everyone's orders and pass them on to the "chefs" who will be wearing chef's hats and aprons, and who will assist mom and/or dad in cooking breakfast for everyone.

* Waffle Bar - Set up a waffle bar with a selection of syrups and toppings such as cherries, whipped cream, strawberries, chocolate chips. Let each child make his or her ultimate waffle.