How to Throw a Galaxy Gazing Sleepover

A Galaxy Gazing Sleepover is an out-of-this-world party - perfect for the little astronauts, astronomers and astrophysicists in your life. It is sure to be the meteoric hit of the year! Naturally, the highlight of this party is galaxy gazing. But don't worry if the weather doesn't cooperate. When the kids get together for a sleepover, there is never a dull moment. Plus this party plan provides how-tos for everything from invitations, decorations, activities, crafts and games to kid-friendly foods, treats, beverages and party favors. All of these ideas can be customized or modified to suit your tastes. These suggestions are simply catalysts for your creative ingenuity.

Invitations: Send out your written invitations two weeks before the party, if possible. You can make your own invitations using light-colored cardstock and a selection of celestial rubber stamps, some school glue and glitter. Or choose a dark blue or purple cardstock and embellish it with a planet or two cut from craft paper and colored to specifications. (For a paper planet earth template click here.) For added impact add a handful of shiny star stickers and a head line like "Come for a Party That's Out of this World!" in white letters. Each invitation can be its own original work of art. Just be sure the important "when and where" details are included.

As a general rule, sleepovers should be limited to eight or fewer guests. Remember not to exceed the space you have for sleeping bags in your party space. Traditionally, kids arrive for a sleepover after the evening meal and are picked up about 10:00 am the following day - be sure to include a definite pick-up time on your invitation.

If your child and his friends are new to the sleepover scene, you may want to include a packing list to ensure each guest has all he needs: sleeping bag, pillow, flashlight, PJ's, toothbrush, hairbrush and anything else you think is important.

In addition, before the party, get a list of food allergies, medications, dietary restrictions, and a home and cell phone number of each guest's parents. With younger kids, a child may ask to go home. With older kids, one may need to go home, because they have gotten out of hand. Kids of all ages can get sick. So be prepared for these emergencies and get the parents' contact information. You will be glad you did.

Decorations: The night sky will be the natural focus of this party, but you can add to the theme with some simple star and planet decorations available online or at your local party-supply store. Or make some foil-wrapped cardboard stars and planets from Styrofoam balls spray-painted to planetary specifications to hang in the party area.

Cover your party table with a black disposable cloth decorated with silver star stickers. Choose streamers and other paper products in black, blue or silver. If you like, string up some white or clear twinkle lights.

Affix some glow-in-the-dark stars to the ceiling and walls of the designated sleeping area. When the lights are turned off, the room will look like a galaxy and provide the right backdrop for conversation, scary stories or watching a space-themed DVD or two.

Activities: The highlight of the party is galaxy gazing. This activity can be fun while sprawled on blankets in your backyard or borrow a telescope to get a better view. The University of Texas McDonald Observatory publishes stargazing tips, constellation guides, and planet viewing pointers, if you need to brush up on the basics. For a list of 2010 meteor showers with viewing tips click here.

If the weather wilts your plans or you don't have a good observation point in your neighborhood, make a trip to a local planetarium for a star show and then return to your house for the rest of the party. Or contact your local university, to see if it hosts public observing nights in its telescope observatory. Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, USA opens its Dearborn Observatory every Friday evening during the spring and summer. Call 847-491-7650 or email c-middleton@northwestern.edu to make a reservation. The University of Texas at Austin, Texas, USA hosts similar programs, click here for a list of events.

Games: With all the galaxy gazing or a trip to a planetarium or telescope observatory, you may not need any games at this party. If you want to plan a few - just in case, try these:

• A good way to burn off some energy is to play Comet Tag. This is a great outdoor game, if your neighborhood is suitable for this kind of activity after dark. As you know a comet is a big space snowball with a tail of gas and dust. To play have the guests form a line with each person holding onto the waist of the person in front of him or her. The person at the front of the line is the head of the comet. The person at the back is the tip of the comet tail. Object of the game: the head tries to tag the tail. If the head is successful, he or she moves back one space in line and the tail goes to the front of the line and becomes the new head. If the line breaks before the head catches the tail, the person at the back of the break must take the place of the tail. Play until everyone has had a chance to be either the head or the tail.
• Your little galaxy gazers will love to play Moon Rock Toss. You will need a ping pong ball for each player. To avoid confusion, mark numbers on each ball and assign one number to each child. Select a throw pillow or plate to use as the target. To play place the target in an open area. Using masking tape mark a line approximately eight feet away from it. Players take turns standing behind the line and try to toss their ping pong ball as close to the target as possible. Once all the balls are tossed, check to see which came closest. (Bouncing off the target does not matter; what counts is where your ball lands.)
• Who doesn't want to know what the future holds? An astrologer is someone who claims to know and interpret the influence of the stars and planets on people and events. To play Astrologer requires some pre-party preparation. Before the party decorate an empty can with a plastic lid (like a coffee can or snack chip can) with construction paper and star stickers. Cut out two identical squares of construction paper small enough to move around when the can is shaken and to lie flat on the bottom of the can. Glue the squares together and let dry. After the glue is dry, write: "Most Likely" on one side, and "Probably Not" on the other. Place the square in the can and put on the lid. To play Astrologer, have your guests sit in a circle. Explain that the can you are holding is called "The Astrologer" because it is sensitive to the movements of the universe and can predict the future. Then choose one child and have him or her ask a question about the future, that can be answered "yes" or "no". You then shake the can and open the lid to reveal the answer. The answer square should be lying flat on the bottom and facing up as either "Most Likely" or "Probably Not". Then pass the can to the person who asked the question. Now it is his or her turn to pick someone to ask "The Astrologer" the next question. Keep playing until everyone has had a turn to ask a question.

Crafts: A super craft for this party is making green martian slime. This wonderful goo is made by mixing equal parts of liquid starch and white school glue - a perfect project for your Galaxy Gazing Sleepover Party. The end product will be similar to the commercially available product Silly Putty. Warning: Place the slime only on smooth countertops, tabletops, or floors. Slime will stick to paper, fabric and carpet. For complete slime recipe, click here.

Free printable coloring pages or games are always good to have on hand at a party. They can be life savers when you are putting the finishing touches on your food service. Here are two possibilities for this party theme: a rocket ship from HP Creative Studios and alien with planets from The Knack. Hand out some markers or crayons and the kids are ready to make some masterpieces.

Food: At some point in the evening, your guests are going to want a late night treat. Flying Saucer Meat Pies are the perfect thing to feed some hungry galaxy gazers. Click here for the recipe. Round out your menu with Spicy Pita Chips. These pita chips are crisp like potato chips, but much healthier because they are baked, not fried. Add some vegetable dippers along with some ranch dressing and a pitcher of Tang - the traditional drink of NASA astronauts and your food service is good to go.

In the morning bake up a quick batch of Solar System Carrot Muffins. These delicious muffins are just the thing to serve your little astronauts and astronomers before they head back to their earth homes. These carrot muffins are super easy to make. Imagine the delight of your guests, waking up to the tempting aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg. Add milk and juice to the table and your breakfast service is complete.

Sweets: Moon Rock Brownies are fun to make and your guests will be delighted by the unique combination of fudgy brownies, peanut butter cups and marshmallows with a drizzle of peanut butter glaze.

Milky Way Frozen Slush is a tasty galactic treat. It is easy to make in an electric ice cream freezer. Prepare the slush according to the manufacturer's directions. Serve this concoction slushy atop Moon Rock Brownies or topped with chocolate sauce and chocolate jimmies, if desired.

Favors: Fill goodie bags with space-themed stickers, mini celestial-named candy bars (think Mars bars here!) and other small objects with a space theme. Family Fun magazine has two printables for space stickers you can duplicate yourself at home. Simple print them on sticker paper and presto - you will have nearly 50 colored stickers.