Bedtime routine for kids, by age
A good bedtime routine for kids is the same few steps in the same order every night, ending with lights out. For younger children that's usually pyjamas, teeth, toilet and a story. For school-age kids, add putting screens away first and getting ready for tomorrow (packing the bag and laying out clothes) before the wind-down starts.
Here are the four bedtime routines that come with Little Streaks, which age each one suits, and how to move from one to the next as your child grows.
Which bedtime routine suits which age?
| Age (roughly) | Routine | Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Toddlers and preschoolers | Bedtime | 4 |
| 4 and up, on bath nights | Bath Time | 5 |
| 5 and up | Bedtime Wind-Down | 6 |
| School-age, on school nights | School Night | 6 |
The ages are a guide, not a rule. A younger child who's ready for more can have more, and an older child who's tired or unwell can go back to a shorter list for a while.
What's a good bedtime routine for younger children?
Bedtime
- Put on Pyjamas
- Brush Teeth
- Go to the ToiletAfter teeth and just before the story, so it's the last thing before bed.
- Story Time
Four steps is about as many as a small child can follow, and each one has a picture, so they don't need to read.
Bedtime was one of the first routines we used Little Streaks for with our own kids. "It's time to get ready for bed" was something we said every night, and what surprised us was how quickly they took ownership once the steps were theirs to tick off.
Where does bath time fit?
Bath Time
- Get in the Bath
- Wash Your Body
- Wash Your Hair
- Put on Pyjamas
- Brush Teeth
Bath Time works as its own routine on bath nights, before Bedtime or Bedtime Wind-Down. Many families don't bath every night, so keeping it separate means the bedtime list stays the same every night.
What's a good bedtime routine for school-age kids?
Bedtime Wind-Down
- Put the Tablet AwayThe step that makes the rest easier: it's the routine asking, not you.
- Put on Pyjamas
- Brush Teeth
- Story Time
- Have a Cuddle
- Lights OutA clear finish to the night.
Story time and a cuddle are steps too, on purpose. They're the part kids look forward to, so they're at the end, where they pull the rest of the routine along.
What should kids do on a school night?
School Night
- Pack Your Bag for Tomorrow
- Lay Out Your Clothes
- Have a Bath
- Brush Teeth
- Read a Book
- Lights Out
School Night does the morning's hardest jobs the evening before. A packed bag and clothes ready to go make the before-school routine much shorter, and there's less to search for at 8am.
It suits kids who can read on their own, as reading a book replaces story time. If your child still likes being read to, swap that step for Story Time.
How do you start a bedtime routine?
- Start with the routine for their age, as it is. Change it after a week or two, once you know which step is the sticking point.
- Same order, every night. The order is what lets kids stop asking "what now?".
- Start at the same time. The routine works best when it starts at the same time each night, not when everyone's already tired.
- Let them tick the steps off themselves. It's their routine. You're there to help, not to run it.
- Keep the last step calm. A story, a cuddle or a book, rather than anything with a screen.
What if bedtime is still a battle?
Find the one step where it goes wrong and change only that. For example, if putting the tablet away always ends in tears, move it earlier in the evening, or give it a routine of its own (Screen-Free Time starts with the same step).
For sleep problems that go beyond a routine, talk to your GP or child health nurse.
What is a good bedtime routine for a 6 year old?
Put the tablet away, put on pyjamas, brush teeth, then story time, a cuddle and lights out. On school nights, add packing the bag and laying out clothes for tomorrow before the wind-down starts.
How many steps should a bedtime routine have?
About four for younger children and up to six for school-age kids. Keep the order the same every night and end with something calm.
Is there a printable bedtime routine chart?
Yes. There's a free weekly chart (PDF) for Bedtime, Bath Time, Bedtime Wind-Down and School Night, with a box to tick for every task and a star to colour in for each day. Or use Print the checklists for a simple list.
How does it work in Little Streaks?
Each bedtime routine starts with a night sky scene (Bath Time has bubbles), and every task has an icon, so it works for kids who can't read yet. Your child holds a task to tick it off, gets a celebration for each one, and a finale when the routine is done. Brush Teeth even plays a brushing sound.
Each day a routine is finished earns a star. Kids save up stars for rewards you choose, and ask a grown-up when they have enough. Missing a night doesn't take anything away.
You can change the tasks, the scene and the celebration for each routine. The free version includes one child, up to two routines and one reward, which is enough for a morning and a bedtime routine.
Little Streaks is a routines and rewards app for kids, for iPhone and iPad. Free to start, with up to two routines.
