Is it just me…or does anyone else have little ones that start to get wild and crazy just when it is time to go to bed or take a nap?
My children have not been great sleepers. They both have a lot of energy and can be hard to calm down when it is time to rest.
Over the last 3.5 years I have been working on finding ways to calm down my busy children at the end of the day and there are a few things that seem to be working!
The Best Calming Activities for Toddlers Before Bed
(This post may contain affiliate links. To read our full disclosure policy click here.)
Many of the things you do as an adult at night can be done with your children as well. Using relaxing music, reading, and having a set bedtime routine can be helpful.
Making sure that your toddler has active time outside or inside to play can help them be more tired at night. Avoid watching TV or tablets with your toddler in the hours leading up to bedtime.
The answer to this question depends on what works for your family. Many children will transition to their own beds between 18 months and 3 years. However many people choose to co sleep with their child which is fine to do as well.
Make Sure They Get Activity in During the Day
One of the best ways to make sure my littles are ready to sleep when that time rolls around is to make sure they get in plenty of activity throughout the day.
In the winter this gets hard. We go on a lot of outings to the mall or store just so that they can get their little legs all stretched out.
During the summer months, bedtimes and nap times have typically been much easier.
We are outside playing in the yard, going for walks, and enjoying lots of fun summer activities.
Swimming is also a big hit and my son usually sleeps well if we get in the pool!
Getting your child the activity they need is one of the BEST ways to prevent issues at bedtime and naptime.
How much activity does your little one need?
Quite a bit!
Toddlers are very busy and learn by moving their muscles.
Having a variety of opportunities for your little one to do some heavy work (this could be as simple as pushing a laundry basket), running, jumping, and climbing are all great gross motor activities to have your toddler do throughout the day.
Limiting Screen Time
Screen time is a tricky one for me and most parents.
I try to have screen time for my children early on during the day so that it does not interfere with their sleep.
I also allow my son to watch TV, but I do not give him access to a phone or tablet.
All children are different but my son REALLY likes TV and it can become a battle at times.
I feel like giving him a tablet would cause even more problems as they can be even more addictive.
You can read the AAP’s recommendation for screen time HERE to help make your decision on how much your little one should have.
You can also check out some screen free activities for toddlers to help you keep them busy!
Related Post: Sleep Training Toddler: Does Sleep Training Work?
Avoid Bedtime Battles
As children get tired you are likely to have an increase in tantrums.
Although you cannot prevent them all, there are a few things that you can do to prevent some of them.
Creating a routine with bedtime activities that are calming and consistent can be very helpful.
Also letting your toddler have some choice in the activities or how you do them can also give them a sense of control in the routine.
For example, instead of just picking out their pajamas for them, give them a choice of which ones they want to wear.
It may seem like a really small detail to us, but to a toddler a can be very meaningful.
Establish a Toddler Bedtime Routine
Any of the things that we will discuss in this article can be used in a toddler’s bedtime routine.
You will want to establish one to help your toddler understand the transition from day to night.
I would limit it to about 5 things that happen in about the last 30 minutes before you want them in their bed falling asleep.
For example, it may include:
- Cleaning up toys
- Brushing Teeth
- Getting pajamas on
- Reading a book
- Singing a lullaby
Using Bedtime Schedules
When using a bedtime schedule you will want it to be clear and known to your toddler as unexpected parts of the evening may cause stress for your little one.
You can do this through a conversation and simply telling them,”Time to start getting ready for bed. We need to take our bath, put on pajamas, brush our teeth, and read a bedtime story.”
That is a lot of information for a toddler so using a bedtime routine chart like this can be helpful as well.
You can even make your own by drawing or taking pictures.
Just remember to keep it short and simple!
Board Games can be a Great Way to Spend Some Quality Time Before Bed
Playing a game or doing a puzzle together to connect at the end of a busy day can be a great way to ease into your calming bedtime routine.
This is something we still do as a family and it is a favorite part of the day for both of my kids even now that they are a little bit older.
It gives us an opportunity to chat about the day and have a little bit of fun, while also signaling to the kids that this is time to start winding down from the day.
Have a Warm Bath as Part of Your Consistent Bedtime Routine
Bath time can be a great relaxing activity for young children.
Every child is different so if bedtime is something that seems to rev your little one up, you may want to have it at the start of your nighttime routine.
If you notice your little one gets super sleepy after a warm soothing bath then it may be one of the very last things that you do.
For my kiddos, I usually had it near the beginning so they could get some water sensory play in (yes, a bath can count as a sensory activity!) before putting on pajamas, brushing their teeth, and snuggling up with a favorite book.
Reading Bedtime Stories to Your Toddler
Reading to your toddler before bed is the perfect way to calm down your little one and get them ready for slumber.
It is important to pick stories that have a calming effect if that is what you are looking for.
In my experience, I have to avoid books that may be “too silly” right before bed as it will make my son a bit wild instead of calming him down.
Reading stories is not only a terrific way to calm your little one but it is also a great activity for encouraging cognitive and language development.
Here are a couple of my favorites.
Bedtime Books for Toddlers
(Click the images to get more information.)
Audiobooks can be a Great Option as Well
Not in the mood to read tonight?
Using an audiobook for story time can be an excellent option and it is something we use frequently at our house and has become one of our favorite activities to do during the day as well.
If you have a library card, chances are you have lots of free audiobooks right at your fingertips!
Log into your library card and see what sharing options they use.
For example, we use Hoopla and Libby.
You should be able to search for children’s books, then just hit play and enjoy!
Listen to Calming Music
Listen to soft music during your bedtime routine to help the transition go smoother.
I like to do a search for “meditation”, “classical music,” or music to “improve sleep” to find what I am looking for.
You could also sing bedtime songs or listen to songs while they fall asleep as well.
Our current favorite bedtime song is “Blackbird” by the Beatles.
This is what I use to find our music.
Create a Calming Environment
I would avoid doing your nightly routine in a brightly lit kitchen and instead move it to an area where you can dim lighting.
Using a lamp or night light can have a calming effect but still allow you enough light to do some relaxing activities.
Finding somewhere to snuggle up together such as a rocking chair can create an extra cozy and comfortable feeling as well.
Also, try to be calm yourself as they read your energy.
Taking deep breaths to get rid of excess energy can also help to slow your own heart rate.
End the Day on a Positive Note
One of the things I have started doing with my children before they fall asleep is telling them one positive thing about the day.
It might be a fun thing that we did…or something they did that made me proud.
Ending the day with a positive note makes everyone feel good about the day and ends it in the right way.
What is your bedtime routine like?
Is there a certain calming activity that you like to do with your little one before bed?
Tell me about it by stopping by my Group for Mindful Parenting for Babies and Toddlers…You can check it out HERE.
Grab your FREE Milestone Guide HERE.
Related Posts You Will Enjoy
What to Do When the Two Year Old Sleep Regression Hits
How to Handle Toddler Tantrums
Simple Ways to Boost Toddler Vocabulary
Top Non Toy Gifts for Toddlers
How to Get Your Toddler to Listen Without Yelling!
Kayla O’Neill has a master’s degree in education as well as a bachelor’s degree in special education with an emphasis in early childhood education. She has been working as a developmental therapist with babies and toddlers in early intervention since 2012. She is also a mom with two young children.