It’s after school on a Friday — slumber party time — but as kids descend on this birthday child’s house, they quicklyrealize that this party isn’t like any other sleepover they remember. Personal tents stand in a line, decorated with twinkle lights, themed pillows and blankets, and hand-lettered signs decorated with each attendee’s name. The sleepover theme — from Taylor Swift-themed “Swift Dreams” to “Mermaid Days” to “Touchdown!” — is reflected in everything from pillows to decorations to balloons to garlands strung between the tents. The squeals of surprise and joy at the big reveal are currency for the owners of Happy Valley Slumber and Little Forrest Events —two new Happy Valley startups specializing in creative sleepovers and events.
Happy Valley Slumber
Claudia Prieto had her “aha” moment when her family was on sabbatical and her daughter was invited to a birthday party that featured tents. “I thought that was fun because I’d never heard of it,” she says. “Then we came back to State College and she asked if she could do a tent party for her birthday. I looked around and realized that no one else did it.”
Prieto’s two preteen daughters, Emilia and Isabella, quickly became her focus group, helping her create Happy Valley Slumber, a creative sleepover company that makes slumber parties easy. Her husband, Derek, helped develop the slogan and build the sleepover tents, Emilia designed the logo, and both daughters often come along to set up and style parties.
Happy Valley Slumber features 30 slumber party themes that can be offered in either A-frame or teepee-style tents. Nine-year-old Isabella came up with the idea to also build mini tents for American Girl dolls, which can also be set up for a small fee (the mini tents even come with their own American Girl doll pajamas).
“I just love the creative process of creating these parties,” Prieto says. “It’s been really fun to create fun spaces for kids.”
As a parent, she wants Happy Valley Slumber to help kids connect. “We’re in a post-COVID world — our kids spent three or four years with masks on, not really developing social skills. Now working to make social connections. I wanted to create space in Happy Valley where kids can come together in a fun, unique space in the comfort of their own homes and just connect. I think that has been a lovely thing.”
Celebrating Resilient Little Heroes
Prieto says that a majority of the parties she has curated have been for birthdays or to celebrate milestones, but she has built Happy Valley Slumber to stand beside kids when times are tough too. Her program Resilient Little Heroes recognizes kids working through life events like a difficult medical condition, trauma, or dealing with a difficult divorce in their family. Each quarter, she gives away one slumber party to a local child who is navigating a difficult chapter in their life. For her, the reason is deeply personal.
“My youngest daughter is a Type 1 diabetic and I get to see her bravery and perseverance on a daily basis. We have become close friends with another family who has a child who also has T1D, and last year I asked the mom when her daughter’s ‘dia-versary’ was — the date she had been diagnosed. She told me it was in January and I asked if I could gift her a slumber party, and her mom said, ‘Oh, gosh, she would love that.’ To have her come in and be surprised with that slumber party — it was so beautiful,” Prieto remembers. “That inspired me to create a program that celebrates kids who are going through challenges. It’s a way to give back to our community, and it was inspired by my own kiddo.”
Prieto says that a majority of the parties she has curated have been for birthdays or to celebrate milestones, but she has built Happy Valley Slumber to stand beside kids when times are tough too. Her program Resilient Little Heroes recognizes kids working through life events like a difficult medical condition, trauma, or dealing with a difficult divorce in their family. Each quarter, she gives away one slumber party to a local child who is navigating a difficult chapter in their life. For her, the reason is deeply personal.
Creating space for connection
What’s next for Happy Valley Slumber? “I’ve only been around for a year and a half, but I would love to have a gathering where coworkers come together, or a moms’ night in, or adult sisters who are coming from differentplaces. I think that’s the takeaway — really creating a space for connection.”
Little Forrest Events
Arial Mills and her husband, Will, started Little Forrest Events to help create core family memories. “I am a health care professional in our local community,” Mills shares, “and as I worked through the pandemic, I saw loss and sadness and I so desperately needed light and smiles again — something that was 100% joy. So fast forward and Little Forrest Events was created to cater to most of Central Pennsylvania! We chose the name due to our crazy golden retriever, Forrest — although he is not very little.”
Mills says that their startup is a fun and trendy event rental company designed to make the whole family happy.
“Our events and rentals are customizable to fit the aesthetic of your celebration. The best part is we set up, style, and then tear it down for you!” she says.
Sleep, play, and watch
Little Forrest Events offers themed sleepovers that range from “Coastal Grandma” to “Dream Racers.” Beyond slumber parties, the company also features luxe spa set ups, soft play rentals perfect for toddlers, and a 16-foot movie screen with speakers for an outdoor movie night.
“We offer several on-trend themes, but you can do any custom theme you can dream of,” Mills says. “Right now, our most popular theme is ‘Disco Cowgirl,’ which is a fun cow print and pink theme!”
Each party guest rental includes a tent, air mattress, sheet, throw pillows, blanket, tray table, color-adjustable light with remote, balloons, garland, and personalized name tag.
“If the sleepover is to celebrate a birthday, we also provide a personalized birthday sign designed by Little Forrest Events and an age number light-up sign,” Mills adds. “And to really amp up the party, you can include luxe spa table settings, which include all the essential equipment for a spa night celebrating girlhood! You just bring your own skincare, food, and drink.”
“Healing my inner child”
Mills says that the best part of Little Forrest Events is the feedback they have gotten from the local community.
“My favorite part of my company is honestly the ear-to-ear smiles from both kids and parents! It’s honestly thrilling every single time,” she says. “I love when we have had an event for someone and the child was so speechless and the parents are in the background saying, ‘I knew this was going to be cool, but I didn’t know it was going to be this cool. It is even better in person!’ We received a comment from a parent that said, ‘This healed something in my inner child,’ and that was really special to hear,” she adds. “It’s honestly an indescribable feeling. I always leave a party setup feeling so energized, and that is exactly what I was searching for when I started this company.”T&G (Italicize)
What you need to know: Happy Valley Slumber ([email protected]) and Little Forrest Events ([email protected]) are booking for the summer of 2025. Reach out now to get added to their schedule. T&G
Cara Aungst lives in Belleville with her husband and five kids, who are all taller than her.
