Hosting birthday parties for kids during the pandemic was quite the challenge for many, and when Lindsay Weiss’ son had a birthday, they wanted to make it special. To make for a fun time and unique memory, her husband Jeff constructed tents for each of their three kids, and she sewed covers and gathered all the accessories needed to transform it into an all-out sleepover experience.
After enjoying the sleepover, the concept quickly turned into a business—Happy Campers. Lindsay said the business grew steadily at first, but once she started an Instagram account in December, they booked an entire month in about 24 hours.
“Sleepovers are a universal favorite for kids no matter how old, and our company just makes them a little more special and memorable,” Lindsay says.
They have boy and girl themes including Barbie, Game On, Pretty Pastels, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Chiefs Nation, Mermaid Magic, and more. They also have all major holiday themes.
They handcraft the A-frame tents out of natural pine, and Lindsay says they do all the work from delivery to set up to clean-up the next day. Best of all, there is no mess or laundry for the hosting family. Each camper is provided a tent, mattress, bedding, blankets, pillows, breakfast tray and décor in the chosen theme.
“The fact that we are family-owned and build and sew everything ourselves makes us different,” Lindsay says. “It's so easy for us to customize something to your needs—we are known for tweaking any theme to make it ‘just perfect’ for your camper. We also do not use the same tents or teepees for every party—we can change colors and patterns so easily.”
Gina Bickel says she wanted to do something extra special for her son when they realized the pandemic was going to impact his birthday for a second year in a row, so they chose a Happy Campers party. They decided on a Game On theme, and the boys loved it so much they did it again for her other son’s birthday.
The company is even expanding to new cities including Omaha, Seattle, Chicago, and Dallas. Lindsay says it is a flexible business model and perfect for someone looking to stretch their creativity and run their own business.
Lindsay says they will remain a small, family-owned business here in Kansas City. She says they are frequently told from campers that the experience was their best party ever. Overall, they hope to bring joy, giggles, lasting memories and fun. The company books months out, so it’s important to book early.
