15 Things That Made Sleepovers in the ’90s Iconic
A ‘90s sleepover was the ultimate night of junk food, prank calls, ghost stories, and boy band debates, all fueled by the thrill of staying up too late with your best friends.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
Sleepovers during the ’90s were a mythical combination of sweet treats, midnight movies, and non-stop giggles with buddies. From prank calls and pillow wars to glow-in-the-dark constellations and Goosebumps novel frights, each second was filled with excitement. Whether you were creating homemade mixtapes or sleeping way past dawn, these classic sleepovers were the epicenter of childhood entertainment.
1. Blockbuster Movie Rentals
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The final pre-sleepover tradition was a trip to Blockbuster to select the ideal VHS. Depending on the atmosphere of the night, the options were The Sandlot, Clueless, or a scary movie like Scream. The effort of rewinding tapes prior to their return was a minor drawback to the thrill of movie night.
2. Overloaded Snack Stashes
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The ’90s sleepovers weren’t complete without a snack-filled table of Doritos, Gushers, Dunkaroos, and Capri Sun pouches. Each person brought their go-to snacks, creating an epic snack buffet. The sugar high ensured that “bedtime” was more like a suggestion.
3. Goosebumps and Scary Stories
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R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps series was a necessity for a ghostly tale-telling session. If that wasn’t enough, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark contained artwork that spooked children deep into adulthood. Flashlights held under the chin and over-the-top whispers added a factor of ten to each story.
4. Prank Calls with a Cordless Phone
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Before caller ID killed the excitement, prank calls were the highlight of entertainment. The age-old “Is your refrigerator running?” joke never seemed to get old. The only real challenge was not laughing too hard before hanging up.
5. DIY Makeovers and Glitter Overload
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Sleepovers involved plundering makeup cases and trying daring ’90s styles, including blue eyeshadow and butterfly clips. Lip Smackers were overused, making everyone smell like Dr. Pepper or Watermelon. Temporary tattoos and body glitter ensured no one left the following morning without shimmering.
6. Assembling the Ultimate Mixtape or CD Playlist
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A carefully crafted mixtape or burned CD provided the ambiance for the evening. Boy bands NSYNC and Backstreet Boys fought it out with Britney Spears and TLC for supremacy. The agony of waiting for a song to play on the radio to record it live was all too real.
7. M.A.S.H. Predictions for the Future
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Who would you marry? What kind of car would you drive? The M.A.S.H. (Mansion, Apartment, Shack, House) game could decide your fate in the most absurd possible manner.
8. The Magic of Glow-in-the-Dark Stars
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Every ’90s child had a friend whose bedroom ceiling was painted with glow-in-the-dark stars. Staring at them from the floor, lying there, and wishing silly things was a rite of passage. It was the next best thing to an adventure in the galaxy without ever having to leave home.
9. Trying to Stay Up All Night
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“Let’s stay up till sunrise!” was always the goal—but rarely achieved. At least one person inevitably fell asleep first, becoming the target for harmless pranks. If you made it past 3 a.m., you felt like a legend.
10. Playing Truth or Dare
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Truth or Dare took every slumber party into crazy territory. The dares were always silly, from prank-calling a crush to running outside in pajamas. The truths, though, told the juiciest gossip and secret crushes.
11. Lisa Frank Everything
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From notebook paper to nightgowns, Lisa Frank’s neon unicorns and dolphins ruled the ’90s. Every sleepover group had at least one girl flaunting her newest holographic notebook or sticker collection. Writing on one another on bright rainbow-colored paper just added to the thrill.
12. Board Games That Lasted Forever
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Mall Madness, Dream Phone, and Twister were on every good sleepover. Monopoly was strictly forbidden because either it took up too much time or it was the cause of fiery arguments. Nobody read the rules anyway—house rules were the only rules.
13. Watching Late-Night TV Shows
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After the parents went to bed, the TV schedule became much more thrilling. Programs such as Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Beavis and Butt-Head, or The X-Files made the evening seem subversive. If you had cable, channel surfing was an adventure in itself.
14. Pillow Fights (That Got Way Too Intense)
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What started as a playful, giggly pillow fight often escalated into an all-out battle. Someone always hit too hard, sending feathers (or stuffing) flying everywhere. Moms would inevitably tell everyone to “settle down” at least twice.
15. The Next Morning’s Pancake Feast
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Waking up sleepy but exhilarated for pancakes, waffles, or a bowl of cereal was a sleepover ritual. Pajamas remained on, and the continuity of storytelling went on from the previous night. The only bittersweet moment? Realizing another legendary sleepover was officially finished—until then.