Teepee, Cabana or Bell Tent? Which Sleepover Setup Is Right for Your Child?
Updated September 2026
You’ve decided to have a sleepover.
The guest list is starting to take shape.
Your child is already talking about movies, snacks and who is sleeping next to whom.
Now there’s another decision to make…
Teepees, a Cabana or a Bell Tent?
At Slumber Wonderland, we offer different styles of sleepover setups because there isn’t one option that’s perfect for every child, every age or every home.
Some kids absolutely love having their own individual teepee.
Others want everyone sleeping together beneath an open-style indoor Cabana.
And for older kids and tweens, heading into the backyard for a Bell Tent sleepover can turn their birthday into a real adventure.
So how do you choose?
Let’s take a look.
βΊ OPTION 1: Individual Teepees
The Classic Slumber Wonderland Sleepover
There’s something magical about walking into a room and seeing a row of beautifully styled little teepees waiting for everyone.
Each guest gets their own individual sleeping space, while still being right beside their friends.
It’s cosy, exciting and immediately gives the room that unmistakable sleepover party feeling.
π Teepees are a great choice if…
β’ You’re having the sleepover indoors
β’ Your child loves the traditional teepee look
β’ You want each guest to have their own little space
β’ Your child loves themed styling
β’ You have enough indoor floor space to arrange the individual setups
β’ You want the party protected from whatever the Wollongong weather decides to do!
They’re also a lovely choice for children having their first sleepover because everyone is together in the comfort of the house.
π¨ Make It Theirs
One of the best things about individual teepees is how easily they can be transformed with styling.
The sleeping area becomes part of the birthday experience itself.
Your child might love something soft and pretty…
Something bright and colourful…
Something inspired by sport…
Or something completely different.
Choose a theme that reflects your child, rather than simply choosing what’s currently popular.
When they walk into the room and see everything set up for the first time, that’s part of the magic.
π What Do You Need for Teepees?
The biggest consideration is indoor floor space.
Before deciding how many guests to invite, think about where the sleepover will actually be set up.
Living rooms and family rooms often work beautifully because furniture can sometimes be temporarily moved to create a larger open area.
And don’t forget to consider access.
We need to be able to bring everything into the space and set it up comfortably.
Teepee Verdict
Best for: Indoor sleepovers, themed parties and kids who love having their own individual sleeping space.
π€ OPTION 2: Indoor Cabana
Everyone Together Under One Beautiful Space
What if your child wants an indoor sleepover but individual teepees aren’t quite right?
That’s where the Slumber Wonderland Cabana comes in.
Our Cabana is an open-style indoor tent that creates one beautiful shared sleepover space.
Instead of every guest having an individual teepee, the beds are styled together underneath the Cabana.
The result feels relaxed, social and just that little bit more grown-up.
π Cabanas Can Be Fantastic for Older Kids & Tweens
There comes a stage when some children decide individual teepees feel a little too young for them.
But they’re definitely not too old for a sleepover!
An indoor Cabana can be the perfect middle ground.
They still get:
β¨ Beautiful styling
ποΈ A special sleeping space
π¬ Everyone together
π¬ The sleepover experience
…without the individual teepee look.
This makes the Cabana particularly appealing for older children and tweens.
π‘ Great When Space Is Limited
A Cabana can also be a practical option when your indoor space doesn’t work well for individual teepees.
Because everyone is sleeping together beneath one open structure, it creates a different layout that may work better in your available room.
And because it’s indoors, you don’t need the backyard space required for a Bell Tent.
π° Another Alternative to a Bell Tent
Maybe your child loves the idea of everyone sleeping together but:
β’ You don’t have a suitable backyard
β’ Outdoor sleeping isn’t right for the group
β’ You’d prefer everyone inside
β’ A Bell Tent isn’t the right fit for your budget
The Cabana gives you another way to create that shared sleepover experience indoors.
Cabana Verdict
Best for: Indoor sleepovers, older kids and tweens, shared sleeping spaces and families who want an alternative to individual teepees or an outdoor Bell Tent.
π OPTION 3: Bell Tent
Turn the Backyard Into an Adventure
Now we’re heading outside!
There’s something extra exciting about walking into the backyard and seeing a huge Bell Tent waiting for the night ahead.
For older children and tweens, it can transform a normal birthday sleepover into a real experience.
Friends.
Fairy lights.
Comfortable beds.
Music.
Snacks.
Late-night conversations.
And their own little party space in the backyard.
π What Age Is Best for a Bell Tent?
This is one of the most important things to consider.
From our experience at Slumber Wonderland, children around age 10+ tend to really enjoy the Bell Tent experience.
That’s not a strict age rule.
Every child is different.
But younger children can sometimes become nervous about sleeping outdoors once it gets dark β even when they were incredibly excited about it during the day.
And here’s the really important part:
Don’t just consider your own child.
Think about every guest you’re inviting.
Has everyone slept away from home before?
Are any of the children nervous outside at night?
Would they feel comfortable sleeping in a tent?
It’s worth making it clear on the invitation that the sleepover will be outdoors so other parents can prepare their child.
If several guests are first-time sleepers, an indoor teepee or Cabana setup may be a better option.
βΊ Which Bell Tent Size Do You Need?
Slumber Wonderland has different Bell Tent sizes depending on your guest numbers and available backyard space.
4m Bell Tent
ποΈ Up to 5 beds
Our smaller Bell Tent is ideal for intimate groups and families with a smaller backyard.
You’ll need approximately a 5m x 5m flat grass area for setup.
5m Bell Tent
ποΈ Up to 8 beds
A great middle option when your child has a larger group of friends but you don’t need our biggest tent.
You’ll need approximately a 6m x 6m flat grass area.
6m Bell Tent
ποΈ Up to 12 beds
Planning a big sleepover?
Our 6m Bell Tent gives you plenty of room for a larger group.
You’ll need a minimum 7m x 7m flat grass area to set up.
π Measure Before You Invite!
This is one of our biggest Bell Tent tips.
Measure your yard before finalising the guest list.
It’s much easier to discover beforehand that your yard suits five beds rather than after your child has invited twelve friends!
Bell Tents require a suitable flat grass area with enough room for the tent and safe setup.
If you’re unsure whether your backyard is suitable, ask us before making your final plans.
π¦οΈ What About the Weather?
Unlike an indoor sleepover, a Bell Tent naturally means thinking about outdoor conditions.
When you’re planning, consider:
βοΈ Temperature
π§οΈ Rain
π¨ Wind
π± Ground conditions
π Overnight weather
Weather is simply part of planning an outdoor event.
If you’d rather not have that extra consideration, an indoor teepee or Cabana setup may suit you better.
Bell Tent Verdict
Best for: Older children and tweens, backyard celebrations, larger groups and kids who love the idea of an outdoor sleepover adventure.
π€ So… Which One Should You Choose?
Here’s the quick version.
Choose Individual Teepees if…
π You want an indoor party
βΊ Your child loves the individual teepee look
π¨ Themed styling is important
ποΈ You like each guest having their own little sleeping space
π§οΈ You don’t want to worry about outdoor conditions
Choose the Cabana if…
π You want everyone indoors
π€ Your child wants everyone sleeping together
π They’re an older child or tween looking for something a little different
π Individual teepees don’t suit your available space
π You like the Bell Tent feel but don’t want an outdoor sleepover
Choose a Bell Tent if…
π Your child wants an outdoor adventure
π They’re around 10+ and comfortable sleeping outside
π Their guests are comfortable with an outdoor sleepover
π± You have suitable flat grass space
ποΈ You want room for up to 5, 8 or 12 beds depending on tent size
π‘ Start With Three Questions
Still unsure?
Ask yourself:
1. How old is my child β and how comfortable are their friends with sleepovers?
For younger children and first-time sleepover guests, indoors may feel more comfortable.
For confident older children and tweens, a Bell Tent can add another level of adventure.
2. How many children are we inviting?
Guest numbers will help narrow down your options right away.
Don’t invite everyone first and work out where they’re sleeping afterwards!
3. What space do we actually have?
Take a good look around your home and backyard.
Could you move furniture to create an indoor sleepover area?
Would a Cabana work better than individual teepees?
Do you have enough flat grass for the Bell Tent you need?
Your available space can sometimes make the decision for you.
π What About the Birthday Child’s Personality?
Practical considerations matter.
But don’t forget the most important person in all of this.
The birthday child.
One child might dream about walking into a room filled with individual teepees.
Another might want all their friends together underneath a Cabana.
And another will hear βYou can have a giant tent in the backyardβ and immediately stop listening to every other option. π
Ask them.
Show them the different setups.
Let them be involved in choosing.
After all, seeing their face when they first walk into their sleepover is one of the best parts.
β¨ You Create the Memories. We’ll Create the Wonderland.
Whichever style you choose, the most important part of the night isn’t actually the tent.
It’s what happens inside it.
The giggling.
The whispered conversations.
The movies.
The games.
The snacks.
The friend who says they’re definitely staying awake all night, then falls asleep first.
Those are the things they’ll remember.
At Slumber Wonderland, we create beautifully styled sleepover experiences for families throughout Wollongong, the Illawarra and surrounding areas.
Choose from:
βΊ Individual indoor teepees
π€ Indoor open-style Cabana
π 4m, 5m or 6m backyard Bell Tents
We’ll take care of the setup and pack-down, so you can focus on celebrating your child.
Not sure which option will work best in your space?
Get in touch with Slumber Wonderland, and we’ll help you choose the perfect setup for your child’s celebration.
β¨ Slumber Wonderland β Where giggles, whispers and imagination come to play!