We have a back to school party every year to send summer out with a bang and welcome a new school year and routine. Our theme changes each time to keep things fresh and fun. Mostly for me. You know how I love a good theme and the challenge of coming up with ideas for a new one every time. This year Purple reached out to partner on our back to school party and our theme was “Goodnight Summer”. It was exactly what we needed around here after a crazy summer that had us all going to bed too late and sleeping in. Not a good habit to be in during the school year. Although we used this party to celebrate the beginning of school, it really will work for any sleepover party you have during the year and this free printable gives you everything you need to make it happen.

 

My kids love to have family sleepovers in the living room so we knew this had to be part of our party. Purple sent all of the kids mattresses, sheet protectors (we all know kids need these), sheets and pillows to help them get the rest they need each night for a successful school year. If you saw what my kids were sleeping on before you would know how desperately they needed them. Let’s just say, one of my boys thought the floor was more comfortable than his bed, and Reese was the length of her toddler mattress. Definitely time for something new.

Hanging Tent

We set up the mattresses in the living room and made a small tent with some old sheets that hung over wooden dowels we had hanging from the ceiling to make it feel special. The strings were attached to the ceiling using hooks. I had these clips I bought for photo backdrops that worked great for holding the sheets on the dowels. If I do this again, I’ll probably use fishing string so it looks like the tent is floating. Sometimes as I’m planning these things, I’m not quite sure how my ideas will work out, and this one was a total hit and was so simple to set up. Man, I love when that happens. I think a simple tent like this would also be cute to hang over a child’s bed in their room.

 

Games

What’s a party without games? We played a few very simple games that were fun for the kids and helped get some of their energy out and make them tired for the sleepover.

Bed Piñata

When I opened the pillows from Purple I immediately had the idea to turn the box into a bed piñata. I filled it with new school supplies for my kids and then just wrapped up the box almost like a present. I cut out two papers in the shape of a pillow, stuffed them with some paper towels to make it look fluffy and glued it to the box. Easiest piñata ever! We used the sleep mask that came with our Purple mattresses for a blind fold. I’m putting some of those in my party stash, because I can’t tell you how many times I have started a game at a party and then realized I forgot a blindfold.

Catching Some Zzz’s

It’s raining. It’s pouring. The old man is snoring. When we opened our mattresses, along with some sleep masks were these little squishes. They are a sample of what Purple mattresses are made out of. I immediately wanted to use them in the party. I thought they would make perfect “bean bags” for any game but then got the idea to cut them into the shape of the letter Z and use them for corn hole. I printed out the old man included in the party printable pack and taped it to a corn hole base. We then took turns tossing the Zs into the old man’s snoring mouth.

 

Pillowcase Race

The sheets Purple sent are amazing! So incredibly soft, light and stretchy. I would hands down recommend them to anyone. Well I’m not an idiot and there is no way I was about to let my kids hop around the backyard in those, so I grabbed a pack of cheap pillowcases from Amazon for this game.

 

Breakfast in Bed

It only seemed appropriate to have breakfast in bed at this party. But again, I’m no fool. I wasn’t about to serve my kids breakfast in their new beds. I know exactly how that would have ended, so I set our dining table with placemats that looked like pillows along with little bed party favors and utensil holders.

Bed Utensil Holders and Note

The utensil holder is almost the same as the pocket invitation with the “sheet” card that slides out. This time instead of writing the party details on it, I used it to write a little note of encouragement to each of my kids as they start a new school year.

Bed Party Favors

I wrapped up their new crayons with one of the pattern papers from the party printable pack and used it for a bed on their plate. Then I made pillow boxes with a little toy inside to place at the top of the crayon bed. They were a hit. It was like two little presents each kid could open at the party.

Free Printable!!!

To help you get started celebrating with your family, Purple and I are giving you this Goodnight Summer printable party pack. The printable pack includes: invitations, banners, project patterns, pattern paper, cut files and more so you can create your own family slumber party too. The party pack is free when you subscribe to my email list right below. You are welcome to unsubscribe at any time.

 

My Review of our Purple Mattresses

I have had many of you messaging me on Instagram wondering how I like our new Purple mattresses. So far, I love them and have been really impressed! We have only had them about a week and I know I would want a review from someone who has tried them longer, so I have decided I am going to let you know in about a month what I think and give you more details. If you have any questions about them, let me know and I’ll do my best to answer.

Sweet dreams!