There may not be much sleep happening, but at least you'll be prepared

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For kids, there’s nothing as exciting as having friends over for a sleepover party - and for parents, there’s nothing better than an easy fuss-free set up when bedtime rolls around.

Whether you're having one friend to stay or a whole party, sleepovers are the ultimate in playdate fun. As long as it doesn't turn the house upside down. When it comes to sleeping arrangements, you need something easy and that you pull out and set up in a flash. Trundle beds can work well, but often mean there's generally no room for under-bed storage, and at our house that is a significant loss of prime storage real estate.

What you need is a lightweight compact mattress that's easy to store, easy to pull out of the cupboard and easy to set up. Also handy for movie nights, in-door cubbies or even taking on camping and beach holidays - anywhere you need an extra bed.

To help you get sleepover-ready, we've looked at all the fold-out and blow-up mattresses available and found the best ones to ensure a comfy (and peaceful) night, not just your many guests, but for you as well.

Folding or tri-folding foam mattresses are a great sleep-over solution. We have one at home and it makes a comfy chill-out seat in my daughter's room - and then when someone comes to stay, it folds out in flash. It's also super comfortable (I've slept on it myself) and handy for movie nights or even a bit of acrobatic practice (my daughter, not me). I can absolutely recommend purchasing this type of spare mattress and would suggest finding a cover to zip around it to create a neat and attractive look when not in use.

This portable folding mattress is ideal for sleepover parties, unexpected guests or simply having a little snooze in front of the television. And with a memory foam topper, it provides comfort and support all night long.

The Wanderer Foam mattress has a sleek and foldable design with a comfy polyester cover. Easy to pull out for sleepovers, guests or camping holidays and even easier to fold and stow away.

This folding mattress from Milliard is a little more expensive however it coms with hundreds of positive online reviews. Made of CertiPur certified foam, the mattress is thick, durable and comfy and comes with a removable and washable bamboo cover.

One reviewer commented, "Perfect for my grandson when he sleeps over. Great that I can fold up one end and reduce footprint so it can be left in the corner for next use. No putting away and getting it out each time."

This futon style folding mattress offers a firm yet comfy toxin-free surface that is ideal to whip out when little friends come over to stay. It comes in five cute designs and when the party is over, you simply roll up and store until next time.

This tri-folding mattress from Giselle features soft breathable bamboo on the top and mesh fabric on the sides. It's offers a comfy night's sleep and the cover is removable and washable, which is always good news.

This bag is especially designed for carrying folding mattresses and is ideal for storage or easy transportation. Made of durable water resistant fabric, it has a three-sided zipper so easy for taking off and putting on. And with strong handles, it's easy to move around the house. 

One reviewer said, "I purchased this for a 6” (15.2cm) gel infused memory foam folding mattress, and it fits beautifully with no resistance. The material feels thick and durable . The handles and straps have proven to be very sturdy so far. I’ve lugged it around a few times, up and down 3 flights of stairs, and so far so good!"

This cute little sofa will please the tille ones as it means they have their very own sofa that flips out to be a comfy bed. Ideal for sleepovers or just lounging around, this is a fun addition to the bedroom or family room that comes in a range of appealing patterns, including elephants, flowers and puppies.

Blow up mattresses are another great option. mostly because they deflate and fold flat so easy to store. Good to keep on hand for unexpected sleepovers and ideal for taking on camping trips as they can be squashed into the boot (we have a few for this purpose). Just make sure you have an electric pump at the ready!

Bluey fans will go nuts over this awesome inflatable bed! The portable, all-in-one airbed and sleeping bag can go from bag to bed in a matter of minutes, complete with sleeping bag. The cover is also machine washable, so it’s ready to go for the next guest.

This blow up travel bed is oversized, creating a safe sleeping space for your toddler. It has a removable inner mattress, which makes it easy to keep clean and also allows you to firmly tuck in sheets and bedding. It has velvet flocking on the surface so comfy and warm, plus it comes with a handy battery-operated pump for fast inflation.

This durable PVC blow-up mattress has a soft velour top for a comfy sleep. It has a non-return valve for easy inflation and features raised sides to stop little ones from rolling off. It also comes in pink or blue to give the sleepover party a splash of vibrant colour. 

This is an incredibly budget-friendly option that works well for sleepovers, camping trips - or a sleepover/camping party, as we once hosted in the garden. It blows up in a flash thanks to a non return safety valve, and at this price, you can have a few on-hand so all the sleepover guests can get some sleep.

This one is for fans of Elsa and Anna, offering a two-in one blow up mattress with Frozen inspired sleeping bag. Simply inflate and you're ready for bed - or at least warm and comfy while watching Frozen II.

This one comes in at a reasonable price and offers a little more height off the ground. It takes only 300 seconds to inflate with its built-in pump and features a comfy flocked sleeping surface with a built-in pillow. Easy to set up and then easy to deflate and store, especially as it comes with its own carry case.

  "Wonderful blow up mattress," commented on of many positive reviewers.

At some point, your child and their friends will start wanting to sleep at each other's house or hosting sleepover birthday parties. And for first-time parents, it can be difficult to know at what age is it okay for you to let them go. This of course will vary, depending on the child and the family they're staying with. Some kids start early with sleepovers at their grandparents house to get used to being away from mum and dad. Others don't stay feel comfortable doing sleepovers until nine or ten years old or even later. 

For us, sleepovers started around eight years old and the main concern was, and still is, how well we know the family. Our girls have only stayed with friends that we know very well, so we've always felt comfortable with the situation. Anything else is part and parcel of sleepover fun such as too much screen time, not enough sleep and maybe a few lollies thrown in for good measure - you can't do much about all that. Although sometimes we might check in with parents to see what movie the kids might watch to ensure it's appropriate as our youngest daughter gets nightmares when she watches scary movies. 

Now with one daughter in her early teens, she has new friends at high school who we don't know so well, particularly with the Covid restrictions over last couple of years. Recently, she was invited to a sleepover at a new friend's house. We didn't know the parents, so just asked for their number so we could introduce ourselves and get to know them a little bit. All went well and the parents were responsible and very lovely - but it's always a good idea to make sure so you have peace of mind that your child is going to be safe.

One thing is for certain - after a sleepover, you'll be picking up an over-tired child in the morning so best not to plan much the next day - something we learnt the hard way. After my daughter's first sleepover party, we took her straight to her swimming lesson and then out for the day to a street festival. Needless to say, it was disastrous! So definitely be prepared for a quiet at-home day afterwards.

There are many benefits to going on sleepovers, but again, it's only going to be beneficial if your child is ready and the situation is a comfortable one:

While you're thinking about kids' sleepovers, you may want to check out our selection of the best oversized hoodies as well as the best slippers to buy this winter and best winter pyjamas for kids.