Explore soothing activities that can make bedtime with kids much easier, while also fostering a stronger connection and helping your child unwind at the end of the day. These playful and calming bedtime ideas are designed to relax your kids and encourage them to settle down for a restful sleep without resistance.
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Imagine snug pajamas with tiny toes peeking out, reading adventurous tales, and snuggling under warm blankets—sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? Yet, why does bedtime with kids often feel more like a nightmare than a dream?
Oh, right.
By the time the evening rolls around, I am so exhausted that I feel like I might collapse. At 7:30 pm, my eyelids droop after a long day of bundling up kids in snow gear, tidying up the kitchen (again), and giving piggyback rides to 60-pound kiddos. Then comes that final transition—the one that, once finished, grants me a few precious hours of peace: bedtime.
I keep telling myself, “I think I can, I think I can…” just like the Little Engine that Could. But honestly, I’m at my wit’s end without resorting to raising my voice, nagging, or losing my patience.
After investing so much energy into making it a fantastic day for my family and handling the challenges of raising a spirited child, it feels wasteful to end on a sour note. I’m aware that the moments before bed can influence how my children feel throughout the night and maybe even into the next day. Plus, I understand that bedtime is a great opportunity for quiet bonding, despite my efforts sometimes falling short.
When I reflected on why bedtime can be so stressful, it dawned on me—it’s because we’re all tired.
“Kids, time to stop playing and get ready for bed!” I call out, only to be met with silence.
Just like me, my kids have spent the day learning, playing, and following instructions, and additional demands can feel overwhelming at night. Truthfully, they probably feel the same reluctance to leave behind relaxation and leisure, just like I do when pulling myself away from a good book.
I understand and empathize, but I also know that sufficient sleep is crucial for a child’s mood and behavior. So, how can I encourage them to participate in the bedtime routine and actually listen, all while respecting their time and space?
More importantly, how can we end the night with a strong sense of family warmth and love, free of frustration and guilt?
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Related read: [Unconditional Love: 10 Surprising Ways Your Child Needs You to Show It]
A nurturing relationship is our child’s healthiest motivator for cooperation. Bedtime can be anxious for kids because it signals the longest stretch of separation from their parents. If the day has been especially hectic, a lack of quality connection can elevate a child’s stress.
Play is a powerful stress reliever for kids and also serves as their primary form of communication. It sparks joy, creativity, and laughter—proven to be among the best calming strategies for children. Clearly, it was time to ditch my past bedtime battle strategies and embrace approaches that involve fun, creativity, and bonding.
These activities can make bedtime much smoother by reducing anxiety and fostering a connection:
Considering how tired you may be and the challenge of being creative in the evening, here are some bedtime routines and activities to help ease into an easier bedtime with your child.
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1. Choose pajamas for each other and put them on together.
2. Throw a tooth-brushing dance party for the whole family.
3. Share five things you love about your child.
4. Create a bedtime story starring a family member, and let your child guess who.
5. Use a wheelbarrow walk through the routine (hold your child’s ankles as they walk on their hands).
6. Make the bedtime routine a round of ‘Simon Says’.
7. Try communicating by singing rather than talking.
8. Read a bedtime story in a funny voice.
9. Create your own knock-knock jokes.
10. Communicate using only gestures and hand signals.
11. Pick the wildest pajamas you can find.
12. Try to have the most serious bedtime ever—no laughing allowed.
13. Take on a quick bedtime challenge with the Bedtime Adventure Challenge Book.
14. Walk backwards everywhere.
15. Attempt to put on your child’s PJs while they lie like a “deadweight.”
(…additional activities continue to inspire creativity and connection…)
These playful activities help wind down the day with love and laughter, making bedtime easier for everyone while fostering positive parenting and stronger bonds.
Tucking in a happy and content child, just in time to escape into your favorite TV show—now that’s what I call a win-win!
**Related read:** [125 Positive Affirmations for Kids to Boost Strength, Confidence, and Self-Love]
Enjoy a free printable list of calming strategies for bedtime! Simplify your evening routine with easy-to-follow ideas.
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**About Angela Pruess, LMFT**
Hello! I’m Angela, a child mental health expert, positive parenting coach, and mom to spirited kids who help me grow (and gain gray hairs) every day. I believe every child should have the opportunity to live their best life, with emotional health being central to lifelong success and happiness. Learn more about me and the Parents with Confidence philosophy.
