Kids always look forward to sleepovers at grandma and grandpa's house. But as a responsible grandparent, you want to show them an enjoyable time while keeping them on schedule and ensuring plenty of quality rest. Successful sleepovers with grandchildren mean maintaining a proper bedtime, however, this doesn't mean sleepovers can't be fun. Here are some helpful tips to keep your grandkids entertained, happy and healthy for their entire visit.

1. Plan constructive pre-bedtime activities. More and more evidence suggests that to have successful sleepovers with grandchildren, you should avoid sitting the grandkids in front of the TV before putting them to bed. As this article in Parenting Magazine states, TV before bedtime may make it harder for them to fall asleep, as well as cause nightmares and potentially make them feel more tired when they wake up. In addition, Psychology Today magazine writes that TV time deprives young minds of quality communication, affirmation and interaction, all of which are crucial to healthy development. Instead, spend the few hours before bedtime reading books, telling stories, collaborating on arts and crafts projects or even playing their favorite toys or games with them.
2. Provide an appropriate sleep environment. Once you've put your grandchildren to bed, you can help ensure quality rest by fostering proper sleep conditions. For young children, the Alaska Sleep Center suggests a dark room with no more than a night light. A fan or a noise machine can create a soothing sound for children who don't like to sleep in silence or to drown out potentially disturbing noise from other parts of the house. From a temperature standpoint, try to keep the room between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 21 degrees Celsius) for restful sleep.
3. Ensure a healthy and allergy-free bed. Despite our best efforts to keep a mattress clean, over time it will become a hotbed of allergens and asthma inducers that can include dust mites, mold, mildew, lice, pet dander and pollen. A mattress can also host a population of bed bugs. To keep your grandchildren safe and protected from allergies, install an AllerZip 6-Sided Waterproof, Allergy, Dust Mite & Bed Bug Proof Mattress Encasement, as well as an AllerZip Allergy, Dust Mite & Bed Bug Proof Pillow Cover. These products create an impenetrable layer between your grandkids and allergens hidden in the mattress fibers, keep bed bugs from exiting the mattress and pillow, as well as provide protection from spills that could lead to mold and mildew.
4. Take preventative steps against bedwetting and urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence, also called enuresis, is a common issue that causes bedwetting up to and sometimes beyond age five. Largely, bedwetting can be a problem beyond your control or the child's and may require treatment from a doctor. There are, however, some steps you can take to minimize the risk of bedwetting. The Cleveland Clinic suggests strategies such as tapering fluid intake later in the day, scheduling bathroom breaks, plus eliminating caffeine, artificial flavors and sweeteners. Another important step you can take is to install a Premium Cotton Terry Cloth Waterproof Mattress Pad Protector. In addition to protecting your grandchildren from triggers of allergies, it offers an absorbent terry cloth fabric to maintain comfort after a bedwetting accident, and a waterproof membrane to protect the mattress.

We hope these tips help you ensure restful sleep to your grandchildren, as well as a grateful mom and dad! Check out our Grandkid Sleep Over Guide infographic for more tips.