Remember when a sleepover at a friend’s meant pitching a tent in the backyard or building a fort of out sheets? Now a slew of new businesses in Connecticut have carved a competitive market out of a childhood pastime. But this isn’t your average sleepover. A handful of businesses have popped up around the state in recent years offering “bougie” themed slumber parties for children.
Party themes can include anything from video games to Taylor Swift, complete with teepee tents, customized pillows, blankets and signs. Add-ons are also frequently offered such as custom balloon decor, crafts or party favors, water bottles, satin sleep masks, pillow cases and custom birthday cakes. It begins with a customer putting in a request for their choice of themed party and how many children will be attending.
Workers then come out to a residence and do all the set up beforehand with an eye for detail. Custom sheets, blankets and pillows are placed immaculately onto twin-sized air mattresses underneath tepees. Small tables are set up with napkins and utensils.
Custom decor, balloons and signs create an aurora of festivity and personalization. “Parents love it because they don’t even have to lift a finger, all they have to do is put out the snacks,” said Sulena Lindsey, co-owner of the Meriden-based Camp F.L.
Y. “They get to see how excited their kids get and it really creates that unique experience for them. We do all of the set up and breaking down afterwards.
We just ask parents to take some photos of the space or send us a video beforehand so we know what we are dealing with.” And business is booming with several requests per week, according to Lindsey. “Over the years, more and more companies have been popping up.
It’s definitely gotten more popular,” Lindsey said. “We started our business in 2018 and at the time it was still brand new. People had to catch on to the concept of luxury slumber parties.
Because when I was young, a sleepover was just a bunch of your cousins sleeping on the floor. But now we’re introducing air-mattresses, teepees and balloons. It took about three years for people to understand the concept of it.
But over the last few years, the business has really picked up.” Camp F.L.
Y. was started by Lindsey and her sister Keeya Holley. The pair offers several summer packages and specials including an ultimate slumber party experience for up to five children for $625, according to their website.
More expensive options include a spa and slumber party package for $1,200 that comes with a do-it-yourself spa and slumber setup for six girls with lighted spa mirrors, manicure and pedicure sets and even spa robes and slippers for a more premium experience. “It’s definitely more popular for girls, but we do have boys’ party themes as well. Video games tend to be a popular theme for boys with Roblox and Minecraft,” Lindsey said.
“What sets us apart is that we cater and customize to almost any theme somebody requests. I really enjoy the customization and creating different products. A lot of other slumber party businesses don’t offer that level of customization.
” During the pandemic, Lindsey said the business shifted to catering to more outdoor events like picnics. Camp F.L.
Y. also offers adult picnic setups for family vacations or romantic getaways. For those who don’t have the space to host, the pair recently opened a 1,875 square-foot space on the Berlin Turnpike.
The Pearson Events Venue at 2590 Berlin Turnpike hosts both children’s parties and adult gatherings. In Westport, Rosebud Slumber Parties caters to more traditional tastes with several unique themes. The business was started in 2018 by British friends Helen Martin-Elmer and Sarah Rose.
When Rose moved back to England in 2021, Martin-Elmer took over as the sole owner. Rosebud offers several unique themes for children’s parties including Harry Potter, Taylor Swift, Unicorns and Rainbows, Winter Wonderland, Under the Sea and Bohemian Dream just to name a few. “Taylor Swift parties have been very popular,” Martin-Elmer said.
“But Rosebud doesn’t really react to trends, I never got into that. A lot of slumber party companies are like TikTok parties. I very much like to do more traditional party themes and tailor my add-ons to those.
” Martin-Elmer operates in both Fairfield County and Westchester County, NY. The business offers several unique add-ons like small ‘dolly tents’ for American Girl dolls that come with bedding and decor to match the theme of the party. Other offerings include a cookie decorating class with Westport business LEVEN(thal) bakery.
In more traditional style, Rosebud offers children’s picnic setups with English-style high tea including fine china cups and saucers, florals and silverware. Rosebud does not have any offerings for adults. “Sadly and ironically you rarely get to see the children or their reactions because we do the setup before the guests arrive,” Martin-Elmer said.
“Sometimes a mom will share photos with me, which is always lovely. But for me, I really like the creative angle of it and making someone’s vision realized.” Other slumber party businesses in Connecticut include C.
H.C. Slumber Parties & More in East Granby, Fancy Forts Slumber Parties out of Litchfield County and Soto Slumbers out of Ellington.
Stephen Underwood can be reached at [email protected].
