Chill vibes

This story is part of a series in the Summer 2026 issue

This summer, plan the sleepover of your kid’s dreams

It’s party time! Tracey Tong talks to a local expert on planning a shindig no child will want to slumber through

 

 

As a young girl, Josée Juneau went to her share of memorable birthday parties.

There were park parties, trips to Laser Quest, active afternoons at Cosmic Adventures and the now-shuttered Midway Family Fun Park and the old movie theatre in Orléans.

When she was 10, she was invited to a party she remembers to this day. Partygoers were delivered – by limousine, no less – to the cinema for a screening of The Princess Diaries. “I had never even seen a limousine up close, so this was a really cool experience,” says Juneau, who currently teaches at La Cité Collégiale and University of Ottawa.

 

 

Regardless of the itinerary, the parties were all special because they brought friends together to enjoy a shared experience. The lifelong Orléans resident, 34, started a business designed to deliver that magic.

A party stylist and the owner of Enchanted Evenings Sleepover Parties, Juneau has fond memories of childhood sleepovers and wants today’s youth to have a chance to experience them.

“Back in the 90s, we didn’t have phones or social media,” she says. “We would actually spend time connecting and talking late into the night. When creating Enchanted Evenings, I really wanted to recreate that feeling of connection and warmth. I wanted it to feel cozy, magical, and memorable.”

The argument for simpler parties

“Elaborate parties often create that big ‘wow’ factor and can feel incredibly exciting for kids,” says Juneau, who acknowledges that event-based and destination parties can become very expensive quickly and that at-home parties make more sense than ever.

 

 

 

Some kids have their hearts set on a specific event for their big day, and that’s OK too. “I think both elaborate and simpler parties can be really special, just in different ways,” says Juneau.

Sleepovers offer that middle ground between a big outing and a traditional at-home party. “You get the benefits of a customizable and intimate home experience, without the drawbacks of the strict timeline and limited flexibility on food,” she says.

There’s something special about celebrating in a personal space that already feels comfortable and familiar to kids, Juneau adds.

With home parties, the excitement often starts long before the actual day. Children get to participate in the actual planning, which is full of teachable moments. “Kids get to learn about planning, hosting, creativity and even consideration for others when they think about their guests and what would make everyone feel included and comfortable.”

Home parties also offer benefits for parents, who Juneau believes are craving simpler, more intentional experiences. “Life feels so busy and fast-paced now, and home parties tend to slow things down a little,” she says. “Kids can relax, be themselves, and [families] actually spend quality time together instead of rushing from one activity to the next.”

The inspiration behind Enchanted Evenings Sleepover Parties

A year and a half ago, Juneau had invested in tent sleepover setups to recreate a 90s sleepover with girlfriends. Following a successful party, the mother of two decided to offer them for rent, along with customized accessories and her organizational skills. Enchanted Evenings Sleepover Parties was born.

In a bid to create the perfect atmosphere for each theme, Juneau sources items from a variety of places and hand makes much of her décor.

“I love finding unique pieces and repurposing them,” she says.  “I often source materials from craft stores, from my own personal collection of items and I sometimes thrift old wedding decor I reuse. There’s so much planning and care that goes into every setup.”

 

 

 

Juneau’s goal is to create an atmosphere where attendees feel welcome, comfortable, connected and excited to make memories together – at a price that won’t break the parents’ banks.

“I don’t think kids necessarily measure a party by how extravagant it was,” she says. “What they remember most is how they felt, who they spent time with, and whether they had fun. It’s about finding a balance between creating something memorable without making it overly complicated.”

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Mom the entrepreneur

Josée Juneau often works on her party business after her daughter, age 5, and her son, 2, go to bed. While that means a lot of late nights, it’s worth it, she says.

 

 

“I love the freedom that comes with it. It allows me to be more present with [my children] during the day. I love being able to express myself through creating these beautiful parties for kids. It’s a joy when I can make someone’s day.”

She encourages other moms with an entrepreneurial spirit to
“go for it. You don’t have to have everything perfectly figured out to start,” she says. “Sometimes you just have to be willing to begin and learn along the way. It’s empowering and so rewarding to have something that feels truly your own.”

 

Sidebar

Hed:  Pro tips for DIYers

Enchanted Evenings Sleepover Parties founder Josée Juneau offers advice for parents who want to plan their own events:

Skip expensive party favours Most loot bags end up forgotten or thrown out. Instead, make the activity part of the takeaway. Examples include DIY face masks, a nail painting bar, cupcake decorating activity and friendship bracelet-making.

Lighting changes everything Make lighting the focus (Juneau recommends warm white). Fairy lights create a charming atmosphere and can be strung across pretty much anything, stuck to walls, or pinned to fabrics using safety pins.

Keep food simple Think pizza, popcorn, nachos and homemade cupcakes.

Keep the party cellphone free Take a few photos at the beginning of the party, then put the devices away to give children the chance to focus on the present without distractions or the pressure of social media.

Don’t overschedule the partygoers Kids will naturally entertain themselves. Plan one main activity, one backup activity and let the rest happen organically. The “late-night giggling chaos” is part of the magic.

Post a schedule It helps the evening feel smoother and reduces repeat questions about what’s next.

Limit choices Fewer options often mean less confusion.

Consider a middle ground Enchanted Evenings offers DIY packages which includes equipment rental and tutorial videos to guide in the setup and takedown. “This way, parents don’t have to buy and store everything,” Juneau says.

 

 

 

“I really love this shift toward simpler, home-based parties. I think there’s something very meaningful about creating celebrations that feel personal and intentional rather than overly complicated.”

• Josée Juneau

“Many parents are looking for experiences that feel special and memorable, but without the stress, rushing, or overstimulation that can sometimes come with larger events. That’s part of why sleepover parties have become so popular again. They create a fun experience while still allowing kids to slow down, connect, and just enjoy being together.”

• Josée Juneau

 

For more inspiration

Instagram @enchantedeveningsottawa

Website enchantedeveningsottawa.ca