How to Build a Fun Bedtime Routine for Kids

I smiled the moment I started writing this. I wonder why kids hate going to bed so much. They have incredible energy and never run out of things to do. Getting them to go to bed can become a bit tiring (I’m trying to be modest here), so getting a bedtime routine for kids isn’t out of order. In fact, it is essential for all mothers as it can save you an entire hour of your nighttime rest or snuggle with your hubby by the fireplace.

For your kids, you want to make sure that these bedtime routines are not too strict by incorporating a bit of fun into them and having your kids go to sleep with a smile. Maybe, they might even start looking forward to bedtime.

Also, a calm and orderly bedtime routine is necessary for kids because it helps them establish good sleeping patterns and overcomes sleeping problems (if any). It gives them something to look forward to during the day, especially if these routines include activities they love.

What is a bedtime routine?

A bedtime routine is an activity or series of activities that you engage in every night before bed. Usually, these routines prepare you or your child for bed and are the same every night.

These activities include bathing, brushing teeth, board games, reading, etc., depending on what your kid loves and what can be conveniently repeated daily.

Benefits of bedtime routines

• Fixing sleeping problems: A good bedtime routine can fix your kid’s sleeping problems like inability to fall asleep, sleepwalking, nightmares, etc. It helps when it’s something they enjoy and do routinely.
• Establishing a healthy sleep pattern: Because bedtime routines are consistent, it helps your kid develop a healthy sleeping habit that they can maintain till adulthood.
• More productivity: Children who sleep well at night are likely to be more productive during the day. This is because quality sleep is essential for productivity, especially for children.
• Making bedtime enjoyable: You know how much kids don’t want to hear that it’s bedtime. However, having a fun bedtime routine specifically for them makes bedtime more enjoyable.
• More sleep time for momma: Bedtime routines are timed, so it helps you and the rest of the family get more sleep. When I manage to get my kids to bed, it’s almost as if I won a lottery, and that is when I can get some me-time.
• Bonding: Bedtime routines also create an atmosphere for you to bond with your kid. You and hubby can rotate bedtime to create opportunities for you both to bond with your child.

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When should you start a bedtime routine?

Some people believe in starting a bedtime routine only when the child is above a year old, but you can create a bedtime routine as early as 6 months. This might be a bit difficult because, at this age, sleep routines are inconsistent, but it usually helps to introduce an activity or two that you do to get your child to sleep.

Whattoexpect says that children’s sleep patterns become predictable as early as 2 months, and by the sixth month, one can predict their natural daytime and nighttime routines. This helps you understand when they are close to sleeping and develop practices to help them sleep faster.

It’s also not too late to introduce a bedtime routine to your kid; though you might face some restrictions, that is normal. Be patient and consistent. It will pay off.

How to build a bedtime routine for kids

There might not be a universal bedtime routine for kids, but there are several ways you can use to introduce whatever routine you choose to your child’s daily schedule. Building a bedtime routine means starting from scratch, basically introducing something utterly foreign to your kid. 

Bedtime routines should be something peculiar to your kid and based on what they like and enjoy. It should also be activities you can sustain over time, fix into your schedule, and be able to do even when you are out of the house.

1. Set timing

Have a particular time for their bedtime routine. The timing can be based on you and your child’s daily activities, including school time, extra lessons, and church activities. You should also understand what time your child gets sleepy and create a routine around it. 

The entire period for the daily bedtime routine should be between 30-40 mins. If the time is too short, your child might spend long hours in bed without going to sleep because they couldn’t have as much fun as they wanted. If it’s too long, you might have a hard time being consistent, affecting your child.

2. Be consistent

Consistency is vital to building a bedtime routine. There is no effective routine without consistency, and this is why you need to select activities you can keep up with over time. Select a time to start your routine and the time it will end, and stick to it.

As your child grows, you might want to change these activities because your child might outgrow some books or lullabies but make sure not to change the timing.

For instance, if you started bedtime routines at 7 pm and ended at 7:30 pm when your kid was four years old, you should keep to that time even when they are preteens while adjusting the activities.

3. Intentionally select activities

You should intentionally curate activities for bedtime routines. You know your kids better than anyone, what they love, what they will enjoy, and what they hate.

The kid should enjoy bedtime activities so that they look forward to them every day. 

Also, you don’t want to introduce activities that will keep them awake more than those that get them to sleep. You might want to avoid watching movies, playing video games, or running around. These are called stimulating activities.

You can even turn boring activities into fun – this is part of personalizing bedtime activities. For example, you can use a funny voice to read a book or make funny imitations and demonstrations.

4. Be patient

When building a bedtime routine, it is expected that children won’t always get it the first time, which is why you need a boatload of patience and consistency.

At first, it might be challenging to get your child to sleep, but when it becomes something you do daily, they get accustomed to it. The kind of activities you include in their routine also influences how fast they adjust to the new changes.

5. Always do routines in your kid’s room

Do you do your child’s bedtime routine in the living room? Game room? On the couch? That might be why the bedtime routine isn’t working.

Having your kid’s bedtime routine in their rooms makes it easier for them to doze off even after you leave the room. But, if they have to transition from the living room to their bedroom, all your efforts might just be in vain.

It also helps them sleep faster because they are in their space; there is a sense of security when they sleep in their bed.

Bedtime routine tips for Christian moms

While it might not be easy to build a bedtime routine, here are some tips and activities you can follow to have an exciting bedtime routine with your kids:

• Have fun during the day: Plan your kid’s daytime routine to include stimulating activities that require a bit of energy. This makes them more exhausted and ready to sleep when in bed.
• Reduce lighting: Make the room dark but not too dark. Dim lighting will ease your child into a sound sleep.
• Use the bathroom: Bathing, brushing, and relieving themselves should be an essential part of bedtime routines as they help your child keep proper hygiene and prevent bedwetting.
• Chat: If you are dealing with a kid who can hold a proper conversation, you might want to ask them about their day and give tips on friendship and other subjects they may want to talk about.
• Read books: Books can be exciting and fun as well. Introduce bedtime bible books, stories, and even Christian songs.
• Give them some control: Let your children select the book they want to read, their sleepwear, or the music. Give them a chance to choose at least one activity (negotiable).
• Pray: This can be the last activity for the night, and you can tell them to lead the prayer or respond to yours. If your child has nightmares, this can soothe them into a peaceful sleep.
• Lights out: Most children actually like sleeping with the lights on because of fear of the dark, but if otherwise, you can switch off the lights on your way out or when they fall asleep.

Let’s Recap

Building a bedtime routine for kids can be easy and challenging, and some kids embrace changes more quickly than others. Your kid might not be able to tell you if these routines are working, but you can find out by checking in on them to know if they quickly go to sleep, sleep without tossing, and sleep through the night. 

If they have a particular sleeping problem, you can also check the effectiveness of the routine by comparing their sleeping habits before and after. 

When you discover that these routines are effective, you can create a bedtime chart and add some extra activities to make bedtime more exciting for your child. Don’t forget the bedtime prayer and some goodnight kisses.

Have fun, mom!

Do you have any personal references when it comes to a devotional for your kids? What are the effects of having devotions daily on your kids? Anything to note? Leave me a comment below.

READ ALSO: Best Daily Morning Devotional Books for kids

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