March 2019 - Our Generation

Gift Guide – Sleepover-Themed Our Generation Dolls and Accessories!

Posted on March 25, 2019March 25, 2019 by bek

Sleepovers are a great way to have fun and celebrate friendship, and OG Dolls love having sleepovers, too!

In this Gift Guide, we showcase some of the exciting products in the Our Generation Sleepover Theme Collection so you can create the perfect sleepover experience for your dolls!

For even more fun, let your friends join in! Check out our guide to discover the 12 Steps for the Perfect Sleepover and learn how to host your very own slumber party!

Are you an adult shopping for kids? Click on the title of the item to visit the product web page and find the “Where to Buy” link for your area to find your local retailer!

Delightful Dolls!

There are lots of Our Generation Sleepover Dolls for you to meet! They comes wearing pajamas, but they love to dress up in all kinds of other outfits, too!

Which of the Sleepover Dolls will be your new Doll BFF?

Meet Gloria!

Gloria is the March 2019 Doll of the Month!

She comes with an adorable set of pale blue short-sleeved pajamas with a sleepy-cloud print,

and a moon plush toy that she can cuddle at night for extra-sweet dreams!

Meet Lake!

Lake is another Our Generation Sleepover Doll who absolutely loves sleepovers!!

She comes wearing a cute pink nightgown with a heart on the front – the perfect look for a sweet doll with a big heart!

She also comes with a soft and cuddly pair of fuzzy socks – the perfect sleepover accessories to keep her toes cozy!

Meet Jovie!

Jovie is an adorable Our Generation Sleepover Doll who is ready to be your snuggle bunny!

She comes with a pair of bunny print pajamas with quilted pajama pants that keep her extra snuggly at night.

She also comes with a miniature plush bunny toy! So cute! (We’ve heard she brings it everywhere she goes!)

Meet Willow!

Willow is an Our Generation Deluxe Doll, who comes with two outfits, a plush bunny, and her own storybook!

Willow loves sleepovers, and you can read all about her adventures trying to plan a sleepover for her birthday in her storybook,

“The Most Fantabulous Pajama Party Ever!”

You can also play along with Willow’s story using the Willow Read and Play Set, featuring Willow’s signature songbird pajama set and her storybook.

Playful Pajamas!

Keep your dolls comfortable and cozy in a great pair of PJs! The OG Sleepover Dolls arrive already wearing pajamas, but any Our Generation doll can find the perfect PJs for bedtime!

There are so many awesome Our Generation doll pajama sets to choose from, your dolls could probably have a different pair for every day of the week!

Here are a few of our favorites:

Snuggle Monster

Who loves to cuddle and get cozy?

Who can you find sneaking down the stairs for one last sip of water…or a midnight snack of yummy cookies and milk, even after lights out?

It’s your dolls, dressed in the Snuggle Monster outfit, of course! This cute and colorful nightshirt has a cute monster print on the front, and the best part? Oversized plush monster-toe slippers!! this outfit includes a cookie and milk for your doll, so they will never get too hungry at bedtime. (After all, a good bedtime snack keeps the cutie monsters IN the bed, and not under it!)

Nighty Night Nightie

It was the night of your doll’s sleepover and all through the house, not a creature was stirring…except this adorable mini plush mouse!!

This holiday pajama set is made of cozy plaid, and comes with a miniature plush mouse toy for your doll to cuddle.

It’s so adorable we think you could wear it all year long!

Me and You Bunny Pajamas

You’ll want to hop into your sleeping bags with this adorable set from the OG Me and You Outfitters, a collection of matching clothes for you and your doll!

The Bunny Pajamas come with a pair of PJs that are just the right size for your Our Generation dolls, and are available in sizes for kids, too!

Your next sleepover will be so much fun when you and your dolls can dress the same! Do you think you’ll have the same dreams, too? only one way to find out!!

Awesome Accessories!

With Our Generation, all you need to head towards fun and adventure is your doll and your imagination. Here are some accessories that can unlock your imagination and inspire you to have lots and lots of sleepover fun with your dolls!

Sweet Dreams Scrollwork Bed with Cat Pillow

Create a bedroom for your doll and give her a special area just for her with a great Our Generation doll bed,

like the Sweet Dreams Scrollwork Bed!

This adorable bed with a yellow metal scrollwork frame has a cute cat-face pillow – it’s sure to help your dolls have sweet dreams!

Sleepover Essentials Set

When your dolls are getting ready for a sleepover, the Sleepover Essentials Set has everything they need to stay overnight!

Use the brightly colored zipper case to hold miniature toothpaste, a toothbrush, soap and a hairbrush for your dolls.

They’ll never forget anything important with this kit!

Sleepover Party Set – Unicorn

Add extra magic to your doll slumber party sleepover with the Sleepover Party Set – Unicorn!

This doll accessory set has all kinds of sweet treats for your sleepover party guests,

as well as a cute unicorn hobby horse that they can take turns riding around!

Suite Teepee – Lilac

Last but not least, for an awesome sleepover party addition, check out the Suite Teepee – Lilac!

Set up this kid-sized teepee in your living room, rec room, or bedroom and create a cute and cozy space for you and your dolls to relax in!

Your slumber party guests will have fun playing in it, too!

These are just some of the amazing Sleepover Party dolls and accessories that you can choose from! To find more, check out the Sleepover Theme page.

Don’t miss our other Sleepover blog posts like the tutorial for making DIY Pom Pom Teddy Bears, Easy DIY Name Bracelets, and the 12 Steps to a Perfect Sleepover!

Interview with Kaihily the Pilot – November’s Doll of the Month!

Posted on March 25, 2019March 25, 2019 by bek

It’s a bird, it’s a plane…no, it’s Kaihily the Pilot! Pilots travel a LOT, and Kaihily is no exception… we’ve caught up with her to find out all about her latest adventures and to see where she’s off to next.

(PS – Look for definitions of words with a * at the end of the interview!)

Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us, Kaihily!

I’m happy to be here!

So, where have you flown to recently? You’re a difficult gal to get a hold of!

(She laughs) Well it’s been a busy few months, but I just arrived here from Hawaii.

I hear it’s beautiful there this time of year! Is that a typical route for you?

I actually live in Hawaii! I was home for nearly a week between flights. I don’t usually have typical routes. Since I have seniority* at my airline, I usually get to choose the flights I want and build my own schedule. This month I had 17 days off!

Wow, that seems like a lot of days off. Do you find it hard that you don’t have a typical schedule?

That’s a good question… I think because I’ve always had such a varied* work schedule, I’ve become used to it. I like that I can choose my routes depending on where I want to go that month, or how many hours I want to fly. It gives me a lot of flexibility!

Did you always want to become a pilot? And was it easy to become one?

I didn’t really know what I wanted to do until I was a little older and already finished university. It wasn’t too difficult to be a pilot, but required a lot of time. In order to become licenced*, I had to pass the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) test after logging a minimum of 250 hours of flying time. After that, I needed to have at least 1500 hours to become licensed as an airline transport pilot, which is the type of pilot who works on commercial airlines. (source: https://study.com/articles/Become_a_Licensed_Commercial_Pilot_Step-by-Step_Career_Guide.html)

What do you like to do when you’re back home?

I LOVE to skateboard. It’s one of my favorite things to do! Sometimes I choose my flights based on places that have great skateparks, so I can go try them out. I also love yoga… I find it keeps me grounded… (laughs) … no pun intended!

Definitions:

Words can sometimes mean different things. Within this interview, these words mean the following:

*seniority: “a privileged position earned by reason of longer service or higher rank”

*varied: “having more than one option or form”

*licenced: “to permit the use of something, usually legally”

A Blizzard of Fun and Friendship – An Interview with December’s Doll of the Month Katelyn!

Posted on March 25, 2019March 25, 2019 by bek

Whether she’s doing axel jumps and figure eights on the skating rink or getting to know a mountain town during a blizzard, December’s Doll of the Month Katelyn brings kindness and friendship to everyone around her! Today we had a chance to chat with her to learn more about her life, friendships, and what brings her joy.

(PS – Look for definitions of words with a * at the end of the interview!)

Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us, Katelyn!

Thanks so much! I’m really happy to have the chance to chat with you, too!

We learned a little bit about you in the book “Blizzard on Moose Mountain,” but we’d love to hear more about your skating in particular! How long ago did you start, and what do you see yourself accomplishing in the future?

Well, I’ve been skating for a while now and it always surprises me how much I continue to learn about the sport. My skating has really matured*, and I have my eyes on competing even more in the future. I’m not sure that I’d ever be able to compete at the Olympic level, though. *she laughs* I mean, I will always try my hardest, but I’m not cut out for it personally. It does bring me a lot of joy though, and I’m pretty good at it, so I’ll keep doing it for as long as it continues making me happy!

Well, the Olympics aren’t for everyone! We’re happy to hear that skating brings you joy, and it seems to be a great way to make new friends too, like your new friend Annie!

Yes, it’s a great way to meet new people that I wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to meet! And isn’t Annie is a wonderful person and friend!? It can be really hard to introduce new friends into an old clique but she’s so special to me. She’s so kind and open-minded*, and we like some of the same things, like skating. I’m really happy that she’s been accepted into my group of friends too!

Seems like you’re very lucky to have so many friends! Why was it so important that Annie be a part of your group?

Well, I think because we all go to the same school, and I felt so much pressure to spend time with my old friends, I didn’t want to alienate* anyone. Annie is so sweet and I bet it’s hard to go to a new school where you don’t know anyone. I wanted her to feel welcome, and I thought it was a good experience for me and my friends to get to know someone new, too. It’s also so much easier to have all your friends like each other, so you don’t feel like you’re caught in the middle. Plus, it means we can spend more time all together instead of splitting my time between everyone. It’s just too bad they don’t all like skating.

Do you have any other hobbies other than skating that you can share with us?

Well, I’m skating a lot. *she laughs* But when I’m not skating, I’m usually spending time with my friends, making crafts, listening to music, and dancing. I’m not into many other sports, but during the summer I like to play tennis a lot, even though I’m not very good at it yet. It’s so much fun!

We’re so happy to have had this chance to talk with December’s Doll of the Month Katelyn! Read more about her in her storybook, “Blizzard on Moose Mountain!”

Definitions:

Words can sometimes mean different things. Within this interview, these words mean the following:

*matured: to become more advanced, or more skilled

*open-minded: willing to consider new ideas or concepts

*clique: a small group of people, with features in common, who spend time together and do not easily allow others to join them.

*alienate: to make someone feel unwelcome, or unwanted

Hot Holiday Gift Ideas – OG’s Top 2018 Toys!!

Posted on March 25, 2019March 25, 2019 by bek

Looking for gift ideas for some of your favorite OG fans?

We’ve composed a list of 2018’s must-have OG holiday gifts that are perfect for last minute shopping.

From playsets to deluxe dolls, we have some great items that are sure to please anyone on Christmas Day!

OG Grill to Go Food Truck:

Serve up delicious snacks on the go – with a side of smiles! Over 74 pieces make up this amazing playset for hours upon hours of imaginative fun.

Take customer’s orders on the order pad and use the real chalkboard to announce specials. Don’t forget to give change! Hear the grill, burners, oven timer, and fan hood make lifelike sounds while you cook a huge selection of food! The folding table attachment and working string lights create a cozy dining counter out back. With so many fun and detailed features, the OG Food Truck will be the new favorite hang-out spot in the OG neighborhood!

OG Sweet Stop Ice Cream Truck:

This award-winning toy will delight ice cream lovers of all ages. There’s always time for chocolate ice cream (or strawberry… or vanilla!) at your doll’s new favorite hang-out spot! Advertise daily specials with the real chalk and chalkboard and serve up delicious treats on the go from the huge variety of lifelike food: sundaes, popsicles, banana splits, snow cones, milkshakes, slushies…with these many options, the hardest part will be deciding!

OG Seaside Beach House:

This award-winning, 56-piece beach house playset is the perfect paradise by the sea with everything you need to cook, sleep, and explore.

Cook up a tasty seaside meal with the lifelike kitchenette accessories and the real sounds from the tea kettle and stove. The nautical accessories are perfect for adventure, and when it’s time to rest, convert the kitchen bench into a pull-out bed with a mattress and blanket. Give your doll sweet dreams with a starry projection on the ceiling (with real working lights!) The Seaside Beach House is your getaway by the waves!

OG Farmer’s Market Set:

A tisket, a tasket, there’s a lot of great food in this basket! Set up your market stall so that customers can see all of your beautiful garden-fresh produce on display.

Use the real chalk to advertise your daily specials, and keep track of your earnings in the cash box. Lemons and tomatoes by the pound! Use the scale to weigh a batch, and pop it all into a wicker basket to help your customers carry it home. This deluxe set has 43 pieces of the freshest fun!

OG Healthy Paws Vet Clinic:

Our Generation keeps pets healthy from nose to tail with the fully-stocked, 56-piece Healthy Paws Vet Clinic playset for 18-inch dolls!

Relax in the waiting room until it’s time for your appointment and browse the healthy food and treats on display. Collect patient files from the working corkboard and head into the exam room, which has lots of storage space for all kinds of cool vet accessories. The vet might need to take some x-rays to see what’s going on inside. Turn on the lightbox to examine them. Does your pet need to stay the night for observation? There are two cozy kennels where the animals can rest, safe and sound. Whether just for a check-up or a larger procedure, Healthy Paws Vet Clinic is sure to make tails wag with joy!

OG Retro Hot Dog Cart:

This award-winning, 60-piece hot dog cart playset has delightful retro charm that’s perfect for any era. The perfect snack-stop for the boardwalk, the beach, or the ballgame, this hot dog cart is dishing out all kinds of delights!

Watch the red light go on when you turn on the rotating grill to show that it’s “hot.” Once the hot dogs are cooked, serve them on realistic paper trays with your choice of condiments. Use the real chalk and chalkboard to advertise daily specials, and close the umbrella when it’s time to move along. Open the cash drawer to make change and keep your earnings organized. Feed your imagination with this fully-stocked Retro Hot Dog Cart!

OG Bundles :

Looking for a selection of products to fit a specific theme? Try one of our bundles!

From Riding, to Hairplay, to hanging out at the beach house… These sets make gift giving easier than ever!

Isa Deluxe Doll:

Isa, a beautiful posable doll with long, wavy, light-brown hair and warm brown eyes.

She can bend at the knees and elbows and her neck, shoulders, and hips rotate too, which means she can be posed in many different ways! Isa comes with two complete outfits. Her waitress outfit includes a striped black and white dress, apron, and shoes, as well as a tray of pizza to serve to her guests. For a different look, she comes with a long-sleeved turquoise t-shirt with a glittery heart print, blue denim jeggings, and turquoise roller skates! With the storybook “A Fair Share at the Diner”, read about Isa’s adventures helping to feed her community by helping out the soup kitchen. This easy-to-read book is suitable for younger readers and also makes a great bedtime story. Chapters let you easily pause in your reading along the way.

Rashida Deluxe Doll:

Rashida is a beautiful posable doll with brown eyes and long, dark-brown, curly hair. She can rotate at the neck, shoulders, and hips, and also bend at the knees and elbows. Help her prepare for the dressage competition in her practice outfit, a bright pink polo shirt, riding pants, and boots. When it’s time to impress the judges, wear the formal riding jacket with beautiful gold buttons and a button-up short-sleeved shirt with collar. Care for her horse with the riding crop, brush, scraper and bucket. You can read about her adventures in her storybook “A Summer of Riding” and create your own stories with this inspiring collection.

Katelyn Deluxe Doll:

Katelyn is a posable doll who can bend at the knees and elbows. Her neck, shoulders, and hips rotate so she can be posed in many different ways! Katelyn comes with two complete outfits, including a casual winter outfit with a pink tunic, leggings, boots, and fuzzy earmuffs, as well as a figure skating costumer with a beautiful leotard dress, skates, and a medal! With the storybook “Blizzard on Moose Mountain,” read about how Katelyn makes new friends and pursues her dreams. This easy-to-read book is suitable for younger readers and also makes a great bedtime story. Chapters let you easily pause in your reading along the way. Create your own stories with this inspiring collection!

Gabe Regular Doll:

Gabe is a handsome non-posable doll who can rotate at the shoulders, hips, and neck to be moved into different positions. He wears a relaxed summer outfit featuring a tank top with a “Surfing Lifestyle” print, blue striped board shorts, and comfy bright-orange flipflops, and he comes with his very own orange surfboard! Gabe loves to explore the oceanside and hang out on the beach. Surf’s up!

Flowers of Friendship – DIY Flower Bracelet Tutorial

Posted on March 25, 2019May 5, 2020 by bek

Learn how to make your very own flower friendship bracelets, just like Katelyn does in her storybook “A Blizzard on Moose Mountain”!

These easy-to-make bracelets are perfect for giving as gifts to your dolls, your best friends, and your family members.

We bet you won’t be able to make just one! 😉

Supplies:

Stretchy bead cord (0.7mm)
Crafting beads (8mm)

Instructions:

Cut a long piece of cord (around 2.5 feet long)
Tie a few knots around 2 inches from the end of the cord
Thread 6 beads onto the cord for the flower
Loop back through the first bead and then add a yellow (or different color) bead for the center of the flower
Then loop through the bead next to the center of the flower on the opposite side
Add a couple of green beads (or different colored beads) as separators
Continue the process of making flowers by repeating steps #3-#6 until you have the desired length for the bracelet (and it fits around your wrist)
Tie a knot at the end of the bracelet, and then tie the two ends together a few times to make sure it’s secure

Did you know?

The colored beads have many meanings in the Native American culture. Some of these meanings are listed below:

Yellow (truth, growth, love)
Red (birth, clarity, new beginnings)
Black (lessons, adult, sunset)
White (purity, renewal, winter)
Blue (sky, water, spirit)
Green (earth, healing, health)

How did your bracelet turn out? We’d love to see what you made! Share pictures of your beautiful friendship flower creations with us on Instagram or Facebook!

Courage and Confidence – An Interview with January’s Doll of the Month Rayna!

Posted on March 25, 2019March 25, 2019 by bek

Introducing January’s Doll of the Month Rayna!

Rayna always has a taste for fun with her foodie family and friends. Today we had a chance to chat with her to learn more about what it’s like to live with a stutter and how she overcomes obstacles with courage and optimism.

(PS – Look for definitions of words with a * at the end of the interview!)

Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us today, Rayna!

Awww thank you for choosing me to interview! This is the first time I’ve ever done one, so I feel honored to have been asked.

Before we start, we wanted to let our readers know something that we feel is important to explain and share about you.

Absolutely, I’m not shy, you can go ahead and tell them!

You’ve had a *stutter your whole life and even though it’s apparent when we speak with you, when we write up the interview, we will be writing the text as if you had none.

Yes, I’ve asked for you to do this to make it a little easier for people to read *she laughs*. It sometimes takes me a while to get my message out when I’m speaking, so it’s nice to know that when I’m writing or in interviews like this, my thoughts can come across more easily. I feel like that’s the beauty of the written word!

We feel you do a fantastic job of communicating, despite your stutter!
We just love your book The “The Foodie Friends Project” and wanted to learn more about what it’s like living with a stutter and how you’re able to overcome the challenges that go along with it!

Well, I’ve been dealing with this stutter my whole life, and it’s something I’ve come to accept. Once people get to know me, they seem to ignore it or accept it too. I’ve also had a lot of help since we moved here, now that I have Becky, my speech therapist. To be honest, I don’t really feel as if it hinders me too much these days. I still feel confident in myself… well, maybe a little less so with public speaking. *she laughs*

You came up with a great way to get help your friend Miranda get over her fear of public speaking, and a way to stop your stuttering!

Yes, it’s a really interesting trick isn’t it!? If I sing along, or repeat along with others, my stutter magically disappears. And I figured since Miranda was so *musical, and confident when she plays the drums, that it would be the best way for her to present as well. It ended up being a win-win all around, because it also ended up being more entertaining for the audience too.

We thought it was a fantastic way to present your *foodie project. Speaking of food… would you ever consider stepping into your family’s footsteps and owning your own restaurant or food truck one day?

I do love being and working in the restaurant… and talking to people! I could see myself taking over the family business one day, but there are so many things I love to do, that I can’t say for sure what the future holds for me quite yet.

We wish you all the best of luck no matter what you end up doing, and thank you for sharing your story with us Rayna.

Thank you so much for the interview, I had fun!

You can read more about January’s Doll of the Month Rayna in her storybook, “The Foodie Friends Project.”

Definitions:
Words can sometimes mean different things. Within this interview, these words mean the following:
*stutter: when someone speaks with continued involuntary repetition, especially at the beginning of words or sentences
*musical: when a person is good at, or likes to create music
*foodie: someone who shows a particular interest in food

Sweet Hearts for Sweethearts! DIY Valentine’s Candy Jar

Posted on March 25, 2019April 14, 2020 by bek

Learn how to make a DIY Valentine’s Candy Jar!

This adorable jar of sweet treats makes a great gift for your favorite dolls, your friends, your family, or anyone who loves candy!

Why not try making a few extras and giving them to someone as a surprise! After all, OG Kids love sharing their glowing hearts with the people around them!

When all the candy is gone, your dolls can keep the jar – it’s just the right size for a doll kitchen!

Supplies

Red ribbon
Small Valentine’s candies (e.g. cinnamon hearts)
Mini jars
Heart stickers

Instructions:

1. Cut your ribbon to roughly 18” long (or long enough to tie a bow around the tops of your jars)

2. Pour your candy into the jars

3. Decorate your jars with your stickers

4. Give them to your friends!

Did you know?

The conversation heart candies (Sweethearts Candies) have been a favorite for many children on Valentine’s day for a long time.

Did you know that these candy hearts have been around since 1901?!? That’s a looooong time for a candy to stay so popular!

The company responsible for making this popular candy actually changed the flavors in 2010, but the original flavors of this classic candy had so many fans, the change didn’t last long.

Quick and Simple DIY Name Bracelets

Posted on March 25, 2019April 14, 2020 by bek

Want to show your doll some love and create a bracelet that you can wear with her name on it? Make a DIY Name Bracelet with your doll’s name on it!

It’s like carrying a part of your doll around with you every day! ❤️

Supplies:

Stretchy bead cord (0.7mm)
Color beads
Letter beads

Instructions:

Cut a piece of cord around 1 foot long (or long enough to go around your wrist with enough left over to tie the ends together easily)
Tie a few knots around 2 inches from the end of the cord
Add several color beads to your string (as many as required)
Add your letter beads to spell out your doll’s name
Add several more color beads to your string to complete your bracelet
Now your bracelet is ready to wear! So pretty!

You can keep the same pattern of colors on both sides of the name, or use random colors. It’s totally up to you!

Every bracelet is a unique expression of the person who made it. That’s what makes each bracelet so special!

For more DIY Craft ideas to make and share with your dolls and friends, check out our other blog posts like the DIY Pom Pom Teddy Bears and the Sweet Hearts for Sweethearts! DIY Valentine’s Candy Jar!

3 Easy Steps to Make DIY Pom Pom Teddy Bears

Posted on March 25, 2019April 14, 2020 by bek

Your dolls will love having their very own cuddly and cute mini teddy bear to snuggle all night! These DIY Pom Pom Teddy Bears are quick and easy to make, and make a great gift – for your doll’s birthday, as a holiday gift, or for any special occasion you can think of!

Make a few extras and give them to your friends as a gift for their dolls!

Here are the detailed step-by-step instructions for making DIY Pom Pom Teddy Bears:

Supplies:

Various sizes of Pom Poms (you can choose whatever colors you’d like!)
Small felt heart, or heart gem
Black Puffy fabric glue
Glue gun (and glue sticks)

Instructions:

Select the pom poms you’ll use to create your teddy bear
Use the glue gun to glue the pom poms together (children will need adult supervision for this step)
Use the Puffy fabric glue to create eyes or any other designs you’d like to have on your teddy bear

Once your teddy bear has dried (overnight), it’s ready to be shared with your OG BFF! ❤️

Did you know?

The original teddy bear was named after US President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt. Teddy bears are still one of the most popular gifts given to children, and even to adults to ‘signify love, congratulations, or sympathy.’

The DIY Pom Pom Teddy Bears are also a perfect craft to make at a Sleepover Party! Your guests can each make a Pom Pom Teddy Bear to give to your OG dolls!

For even more sleepover fun, check out our Guide to Our Generation sleepover toys, explore our New! Sleepover Theme, and check out our how-to guide: 12 Steps for the Perfect Sleepover! What other great sleepover ideas do you have?

12 Steps for the Perfect Sleepover!

Posted on March 25, 2019April 14, 2020 by bek

How to plan a Sleepover for Your Friends and OG Dolls!

Pajamas, giggles, and excitement way past bedtime…it’s time for sleepover fun! Whether it’s your first time hosting a slumber party or if you’re already a sleepover party pro, having a sleepover can be one of the best activities ever to share with your friends – and your Our Generation Dolls, too! Follow the 12 Steps for the Perfect Sleepover! guide for kids and parents and learn how to plan a slumber party!

So you’re super excited to host a sleepover with your besties and your dolls – but there are so many steps to plan the perfect party!! Where do you begin?

*Check out the links at the end of this How-To Guide for even more slumber party ideas that you can share with your dolls!*

How to Plan the Perfect Sleepover:

1. It’s All About Numbers!

The first step to planning the perfect slumber party is to figure out how many people you can invite! (After all, your sleepover will be a LOT different depending on whether you have one guest or 10!)

2. The Greatest Guestlist!

Now that you know how many people you plan to invite, it’s time to make a list of all the friends you plan to invite. If you can’t decide, ask yourself these questions:

Who makes your time together the most fun?
Which of your friends get along the best?
Who are your 100%-absolutely-must-invite guests?

(*If you want to share your sleepover fun with both friends and your OG dolls, you can also think about which of your friends have a doll or a toy that they can bring with them as another way to select your guests. If someone doesn’t have their own doll, do you have one you can share with them?)

Hint: Even numbers are easy numbers! Planning a small group of 2, 4, or 6 people will make sure that no one is left out when you do activities!

3. Timing is Everything – Pick a Party Date!

The date you choose for your sleepover party is pretty important. Are you planning the sleepover for a special occasion? Weekends are usually the best option, but spring break or other holidays can work, too!

Hints:

Make sure that your guests will be available.
Is there anything else happening, like a friend’s family vacation, a soccer tournament, or something else that might prevent your guests from attending?
Does weather matter for your sleepover? If you plan to have your party inside, weather won’t be too important, but if you’re planning to camp out, good weather will be essential
Plan your sleepover in advance so your guests can add it to their calendar – and have something fun to look forward to

4. Think of a Theme!

When you’re planning a sleepover party, a theme is a great place to begin! Planning the theme of the slumber party will help to inspire you to make it extra fun and special, and having a theme will also make it easier to plan the details. You can use the theme to choose activities, decorations, and even snacks! There are lots of great sleepover party themes to explore, and you can get really creative!

**Here’s a theme ideas that include your OG Doll BFFs: a Pajama Party Fashion Show! Dress in silly mix-and-match pajamas, do your hair and your doll’s hair in matching styles, then have a fashion show where your guests and dolls show off their look! (For some hairstyle ideas, check out these Hair Bow and Boho Braid looks!)

5. Awesome Activities

Sometimes, a perfect sleepover doesn’t need anything but great friends and a cozy place to sleep once you are finished giggling. (If you’re ever finished giggling, that is!)66.

But having a few fun activities can help make your sleepover extra special and also make sure that all of your guests have a great time.

Brainstorm some activities that relate to your sleepover theme:

If your sleepover has a “Fashion Show” theme, you could make some simple jewelry crafts and have your friends and their OG dolls host a fashion show to share their creations!
If your theme is “Friendship” you could watch a great movie about friendship and make DIY friendship bracelets with your guests.

The possibilities are endless! Make a list of activities that you would like to do during your sleepover and check it over with your parents to make sure they approve of your ideas.

6. Fabulous Food!

Now it’s time to think about what kind of food you plan to serve to your guests.

Will you be serving dinner, or just having snacks?
Easy does it – simpler, easy-to-share foods are a great idea

(**We think pizza makes a great sleepover food – with your favorite toppings, of course!)

Since your guests will stay the night, what about breakfast?

(**A great idea for breakfast – invite your guests to bring their favorite cereal, and have a Cereal Party in the morning! Everyone can put their favorite cereal on the table and have fun trying out all the different kinds!)

Does anyone have any allergies or foods that they can’t eat? If you’re not sure, make sure to get this information in Step 9
Are there any snacks or foods that match your Sleepover Theme? You can have a lot of fun being creative with this!
What do your guests like to drink? It can be fun to make a party punch or some kind of special drink to serve your guests – ask your parents for help thinking of some great options!

7. A Sensational Schedule

Now that you have a Guestlist, a Date, a Theme, and a list of Awesome Activities and Fabulous Food for your sleepover, you can plan out the schedule for your slumber party!

What time should your guests arrive?
- If you are planning to serve dinner, have them arrive around supper time. If not, plan for after dinner time.
How long will your activities take? In what order will they happen?
- We recommend starting with crafts and games, and finishing with quieter activities like watching a movie. (That way, if anyone falls asleep they won’t miss anything!)
What time will your guests leave the next day?
- It’s important to set an ending time for your sleepover so that your guests know what time to arrange to be picked up. (**Hint: noon is usually a great time for a sleepover to end!)

8. Make a List, and Check It Twice

So you’ve got everything planned out – your pajama party ideas, your Sensational Schedule, and your Fabulous Food. Now it’s time to make two lists:

List #1: Sleepover Supplies
Write down all of the preparations you need for your sleepover, including any supplies for food, decorations, games, crafts, movies, and anything else you can think of to be perfectly planned. Share this with your parents so they can help!

List #2: What Guests Should Bring
Make a list to tell your guests what they will need to bring. This list can include things like:
Pajamas and slippers
An OG doll (dressed for a sleepover, maybe?)
A sleeping bag and pillow
A toothbrush
An outfit for the next day
Their favorite cereal for a Cereal Party in the morning
Snacks to share
Anything else you think your guests will need

9. Bright Invites!

Wow, you made it allllll the way to Step #9 of the How to Plan the Perfect Sleepover Guide!! You must have everything really well-organized at this point. YAY! The next step is SUPER FUN….it’s time to invite your guests!

When you’re preparing invitations to your sleepover, make sure to include:

The Sleepover Date
Arrival time and what time to go home
Address and phone number (since sometimes parents will want to talk about the sleepover in advance)
A list of what guests should bring
A reminder to RSVP by a specific date, and confirm any allergies or risky foods, please!

There are a few fun ways that you can send out invitations:

Make hand-made invitations and give them to your guests in person

(This can be really fun to do! We love using glitter and stickers to decorate our handmade invitations, but it’s up to you!)

Send out invitations by email or social media (this option is great because it’s fast, easy, and inexpensive PLUS it’s easy to include lists…and emojis! The only downside? You can’t add glitter…)

10. Party Prep!

Your sleepover is planned, your invitations have been sent, and your guests are confirmed. The sleepover is TOMORROW!! YAY!

Now what? It’s time to prepare! Here are some last-minute sleepover tasks to take care of before the big day:

Siblings and family:
- Do you have a younger brother or sister who might like to participate in your sleepover? Sometimes this is okay, but sometimes we prefer to have just our friends involved. Talk to your parents and to your sibling to make a plan. Maybe you can let your sibling know that after the party, you will spend some special time together? Think of a solution in advance, so your family knows what works the best for everyone!
Music
- Make a playlist of great tunes for your sleepover!
Tidy and Decorate the Space
- Before your sleepover, make sure that your sleepover location is all set for sleeping bags, mattresses, or whatever else you and your guests will need.
- Do you need permission from parents before moving any furniture?
- Are you planning to hang up balloons? Streamers? Any other decorations? Do this in advance, so when your sleepover begins you will be ready and relaxed!

11. Be a Helpful Host!

On the day of your sleepover, once everything is ready and you are waiting for your guests to arrive, you’ll probably be really, Really, REALLY excited!!!

YAY! Your guests will be, too! Make sure to be kind and nice to all of your sleepover guests, and to remember that sometimes it can be scary to sleep away from your own bed. Be helpful to your sleepover guests and make sure that they know you can help them if they need anything. After all, that’s what friendship is all about!

12. The Final Step….

…is to have as much fun as you possibly can!!

By following this guide, we hope you have fun planning and hosting the most fantabulous, perfect, extra-special sleepover in the history of all sleepovers!!

For even more sleepover fun, check out our Guide to Our Generation sleepover toys, explore our New! Sleepover Theme, and experiment making DIY Pom Pom Teddy Bears! What other great sleepover ideas do you have?