17 Sleepover Essentials Every ’90s Kid Packed
Here's a nostalgic list of everything ’90s kids stuffed into their overnight bags for the ultimate sleepover.
- Daisy Montero
- 5 min read
Sleepovers in the ’90s were a rite of passage, complete with snacks, games, and gadgets that defined an entire generation. From pillow forts to glow-in-the-dark stars, these essentials made every sleepover feel like the event of the year.
1. A Colorful Sleeping Bag
Tima Miroshnichenko on pexels
No sleepover could truly start without the presence of a brightly patterned sleeping bag on the floor. These bags often showcased popular designs like Lisa Frank, Power Rangers, or the child’s favorite cartoon character. For the night, this familiar, cushioned sack served as the kid’s own little slice of home.
2. Favorite Pajamas
KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA on pexels
Matching pajama sets or extremely oversized T-shirts were considered the essential, unofficial uniform for any fun sleepover gathering. You earned bonus points if these comfortable clothes featured a print of your favorite cartoon character. This simple attire successfully fostered a feeling of togetherness and relaxed fun among the friends.
3. Stuffed Animal Sidekick
Pixabay on pexels
Even the toughest kids secretly made sure to bring along their favorite plush toy for comfort during the night. While sleepovers were primarily about having immense fun, they were also deeply reliant on feeling safe. For every child, snuggling up with a soft companion was ultimately just as important as the party itself.
4. Board Games
Ylanite Koppens on pexels
Whether the game was Candy Land, The Game of Life, or Sorry!, classic board games were always readily available. These familiar games served as the absolute ultimate icebreaker whenever friends gathered. As a result, board games quickly became a necessary fixture at every sleepover event.
5. VHS Tapes for Movie Marathons
cottonbro studio on pexels
No sleepover was truly ready without a tall stack of VHS tapes available for viewing. These movie choices often included classics such as Space Jam, Clueless, or The Lion King. Falling asleep with the movie menu music looping softly in the background was an absolutely iconic sleepover experience.
6. Pizza and Snacks
Ron Lach on pexels
Pizza was always considered the essential and official dinner for any successful sleepover. This main meal was quickly followed by a huge assortment of snacks, including chips, popcorn, and various sweets. Additionally, there was always enough soda available to fuel the constant, all-night giggles and fun.
7. Glow-in-the-Dark Stars
RDNE Stock project on pexels
Many kids brought their own glow-in-the-dark stars with them to stick onto the walls or ceilings. Once the lights were turned off, these small plastic decorations created a sparkling, artificial night sky. Ultimately, these simple stars helped make the sleepover room feel incredibly magical and imaginative.
8. Disposable Cameras
Zx Teoh on pexels
Before the widespread use of smartphones, sleepovers were exclusively documented using simple disposable cameras. After the fun night was over, you were forced to wait several days while the film was developed. This meant you had to patiently wait just to finally see the fun moments that were captured.
9. CD Player or Boombox
Sheep on pexels
A portable CD player or boombox was considered an absolutely essential piece of equipment for any gathering. These devices were vital for blasting the latest popular music by top artists like Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, and Britney Spears. The music successfully set the energetic and upbeat soundtrack for the entire night.
10. Friendship Bracelet Kits
Pixabay on pexels
Crafting friendship bracelets together late at night was considered an important sleepover ritual. Using colorful string and beads, the kids focused on making detailed, personalized designs. They later traded these bracelets with each other, wearing them proudly as tangible tokens of their bond.
11. Nail Polish and Makeup Kits
Chu Chup Hinh on pexels
Sleepovers provided a comfortable and safe space for friends to experiment with their look. They often tried out wildly colorful makeup looks and applied bright neon nail polish. As a result, every single attendee happily left the party with a set of new, sparkly nails.
12. Truth or Dare
RF._.studio _ on pexels
Written dares on folded slips of paper or whispered secrets immediately turned into hours of loud laughter. This simple game was an essential activity for creating fun and shared memories among friends. Ultimately, the classic game of Truth or Dare perfectly defined the mischievous spirit of every sleepover.
13. Magazines
Elina Sazonova on pexels
Teen magazines, such as Seventeen and Tiger Beat, were essential social currency among friends. These treasured publications were constantly passed around for the entertaining quizzes and advice columns. Most importantly, they contained large posters of favorite heartthrobs to be shared and admired.
14. Flashlights
KMJ at German Wikipedia on wikimedia commons
Flashlights held a dual purpose at sleepovers; they were useful but also essential for fun. Beyond their practical use for illumination, they were primarily needed for effect. Kids used the beams to create spooky shadows for telling scary ghost stories underneath their blankets.
15. Nintendo 64 or PlayStation
Mariah N on pexels
Video game consoles were truly considered sleepover gold and provided the main source of entertainment for the evening. Highly competitive games like Mario Kart and Crash Bandicoot were essential for the party. These engaging games successfully kept all the excited kids wide awake until sunrise.
16. Beanie Babies
Small green stuffed frog toy on wikimedia commons
Beanie Babies served a dual purpose, functioning both as soft, plush toys and as coveted collectible bragging rights. Because of their popularity, these small, highly sought-after creatures were always a necessary part of any sleepover’s entertainment lineup. Kids proudly compared their collections, making the Beanie Babies an essential social currency for the evening.
17. Morning Pancakes
Ash Craig on pexels
Every single sleepover concluded the following morning with a much-anticipated communal breakfast. This final meal usually consisted of warm pancakes or waffles, lovingly cooked by one of the host’s parents. The comforting, shared breakfast served as the absolutely perfect finale to the entire night of fun.