How To Create A Relaxing Bedtime Routine For Kids

Alessandra | Posted on December 30, 2024 |

Are you ready for a stress-free bedtime with your kids? In this blog, learn how to create a relaxing bedtime routine for your kids so you can get the “me-time” at the end of the day you crave!

Having a relaxing bedtime routine is one of the most crucial parts of your child’s day. Everyone knows that sleep is so important, especially for a growing child, but oftentimes getting the right amount of sleep can be challenging. That’s one of the reasons a bedtime routine is so valuable. A consistent and calming bedtime routine not only helps children transition from the busyness of the day to restful sleep but also nurtures emotional security and well-being.

However, I know creating a relaxing bedtime routine can sometimes feel like an uphill battle, especially when kids seem to love resisting bedtime. And that’s why I’m writing this blog and I’m so glad you’ve found it! I’m a stay at home mom of 3 kids and bedtime routines have always been very important to me and my family. In this post, we’ll explore why bedtime routines are essential for kids, ideal bedtimes for children under 10, and practical tips to craft a soothing routine that works for your family! Because when you’re a stay at home mom, having kids in bed by 7 PM so you get some much needed “me-time” at the end of the day is imperative for your sanity.

*This blog contains affiliate links, you can learn more at my terms. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Why Bedtime Routines Are Important for Kids

Let’s first talk about the importance of bedtime routines for kids. Bedtime routines are about more than just getting kids to sleep. They play a critical role in their overall development. Here are some reasons why these routines matter:

1. Promotes Better Sleep

A predictable routine signals to your child’s brain that it’s time to wind down. So when they have the same routine everyday, it makes it easier for them to fall asleep and stay asleep.

2. Encourages Healthy Habits

Routines in general encourage healthy habits. For instance, when you incorporate habits like putting on pajamas, brushing teeth, brushing hair, and reading books, these calming activities can help foster long-term self care and organizational skills.

3. Builds Emotional Security

This is one of the top reasons routines are so important! A structured bedtime gives kids a sense of stability and comfort, especially after a busy or unpredictable day. Kids might make you think they don’t like bedtime, but deep down they crave routine, structure, and rules! 😉

4. Supports Cognitive Development

Did you know quality sleep aids in memory consolidation, learning, and emotional regulation? All of these are vital for growing minds. If you give your child one thing, make it the gift of sleep and a good bedtime routine. 😉

What Time Should Kids Under 10 Go to Bed?

Every child is different and that goes for their sleep needs too. Some kids need for sleep than others for whatever reason. You’ll have to do a little bit of backward math to figure out what time your kids should go to bed because it will depend on what time they wake in the morning. Overall, children under 10 generally require 9 to 14 hours of sleep per night. According to The Cleveland Clinic, here are some bedtime recommendations:

Toddlers (1-3 years): Need approx. 10 to 12 hours of nighttime sleep, so bedtime should be between 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM.
Preschoolers (3-5 years): Need approx. 10 to 12 hours of nighttime sleep, so bedtime should be between 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM.
School-aged Children (6-10 years): Need approx. 9 to 12 hours of nighttime sleep, so bedtime should be between 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM.

These times ensure that kids can wake up feeling refreshed, especially if they have early school or daycare schedules. It’s important to adjust bedtime based on your child’s natural sleep patterns and daily schedule to ensure they’re getting adequate rest. I put my 4 year old to bed at 6:45 most nights, my 7 year old to bed between 7 and 7:30 typically, and my 9 year old goes to bed around 8 to 8:30. I suggest, if you have nothing go on most nights, then put your kids to bed around 7, the earlier the better! That gives them time to relax by themselves, maybe look at books, or decompress for a few minutes.

Tips to Create a Relaxing Bedtime Routine

Now that we know why bedtime routines are so important and how much sleep your little one should be getting, let’s get to those bedtime routine tips! First you should know that creating a bedtime routine doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some practical tips to make the process smoother and more relaxing for your children and you.

1. Set a Consistent Schedule

Consistency is key. Aim to keep bedtime the same time every night, even on weekends. A regular schedule helps regulate your child’s internal clock.

2. Create a Wind-Down Period

Transition from stimulating activities to calm ones around 30 minutes to one hour before bed. This can include dimming the lights, turning off screens, and engaging in quiet play. This will help set the tone for a peaceful transition to sleep.

3. Incorporate Relaxing Activities

There are so many relaxing activities to help your child(ren) transition into bedtime routines. A few soothing activity ideas can be, reading books together, listening to calming music, doing puzzles, or practicing breathing exercises. Choose one or 2 of these to do each night together.

4. Limit Screen Time Before Bed

This one is huge and can make such a big difference in your kids ability to calm down. Blue light from screens can interfere with melatonin production which can make it harder for kids to fall asleep! So, set a cutoff time for devices. In our family, we don’t allow personal devices like tablets, on weekdays and we cut off TV time after dinner which is around 5:30. Once we stopped allowing our kids to watch TV after dinner we saw major improvements in our bedtime routine. Our kids went to bed with less of a struggle and fell asleep faster!

5. Create a Cozy Sleep Environment

Of course, you want to ensure your child’s room is conducive to sleep, so creating a calming and cozy bedroom is key. This might include:

Keeping their room dark with blackout curtains
Using a white noise machine or fan to block out distractions
Keeping their bedroom at a good temperature
Providing comfortable bedding and a favorite stuffed animal (if they’re old enough!)

*Never put blankets and stuffed animals in a baby’s crib!*

6. Include Hygiene Practices

Attaching these hygiene practices to bedtime helps your child remember to do them and these activities also signal it’s time to transition to rest. Encourage your child to brush their teeth, wash their face/hands, and go to the bathroom everyday before bed. Many bedtime routines encourage a warm bath too, but once I had 2 kids I couldn’t keep up with nightly bathtimes. Plus, little kids don’t need baths everyday, so don’t worry if you don’t want to do this! A warm bath is not the only way to calm a child or signal bedtime.

7. Use Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is a great way to encourage your new bedtime routine. Praise your child for following the routine or you could try to use a sticker chart to encourage consistency. Whatever you chose to do, do your best to remain consistent even if it gets tough! After a couple weeks everyone will get use to the new routine and it will become like second nature.

8. Be Patient and Flexible

Getting the perfect routine down takes time. Adjust the routine as needed to fit your child’s age, personality, and evolving needs. Some children may require more time to settle into the new routine. If you’ve found something still isn’t working after a few weeks, you may want to readjust or tweak your routine. Remember, routines won’t work unless they work for your family! Use my free daily schedule to get you started by signing up below.

Final Thoughts

Establishing a relaxing bedtime routine for kids takes effort and consistency, but the benefits are well worth it. Not only will your child’s sleep improve, but the process also strengthens the bond between you and your little one, providing a special time to connect each day. It can even help your child stay in bed if they have this time with your to connect. Remember, every child is different, so adapt these tips to suit your family’s unique dynamics. With a little patience and persistence, bedtime can become one of the most cherished and peaceful parts of your day! Plus you’ll get the me-time you need to stay sane because your child(ren) will be in bed and asleep in no time!

Use the image below to share these tips for a relaxing bedtime routine to your favorite Pinterest board so you can come back to them later!

Related Blogs:

Sharing is caring! If you found this blog helpful, please share it with your mama friends by using the social buttons below. Thank you for supporting my blog! You can also support me by following me on Instagram @justabasicmama for more stay at home mom life.

Facebook Pin Tweet