How Do I Start a Bedtime Routine for my Toddler?

If you’ve ever found yourself negotiating with a tiny human at 8:45pm about why they absolutely need one more banana / story / drink / hug / random toy from downstairs, you’re definitely not alone. 

Bedtime with toddlers can feel chaotic, emotional, and sometimes never-ending. One night they fall asleep easily, the next they’re bouncing around like it’s mid-afternoon. 

The good news? A simple, consistent bedtime routine can make evenings calmer for both you and your toddler. It doesn’t need to be complicated or Pinterest-perfect. In fact, the best routines are usually the simplest. 

If you’re wondering where to start, here’s a practical guide to building a bedtime routine for toddlers that actually works. 

Toddler Bedtime Routine Tips 

When creating a bedtime routine, consistency matters far more than perfection. 

Toddlers thrive on predictability. Knowing what happens next helps them feel safe and ready to sleep. 

Here are a few simple tips to get started: 

1. Keep it predictable 

Try to follow the same sequence every night. For example: 

Dinner → Bath → Pyjamas → Story → Bed 

After a few weeks, your toddler will begin to associate those steps with sleep. 

2. Start winding down early 

Many bedtime battles start because toddlers are still overstimulated. Try to slow things down about 30–60 minutes before bedtime. 

Switch off loud toys, avoid rough play, dim the lights and keep the environment calm. 

3. Avoid screens before bed 

Tablets and TVs can make it harder for toddlers to settle. If possible, try to avoid screens for at least an hour before bedtime. 

4. Choose a realistic bedtime 

For many toddlers in the UK, bedtime usually falls somewhere between 6:30pm and 8pm, depending on naps and their daily routine. 

If your toddler seems overtired or wired at bedtime, it might be worth adjusting the timing slightly earlier. 

5. Stick with it 

The first few nights might feel like nothing is working. That’s completely normal. Toddlers need time to adjust to new routines. 

Consistency over a couple of weeks often makes a huge difference. 

Best Bedtime Routine for 2 Year Olds 

Two-year-olds are famous for testing boundaries. They’re independent, curious, and suddenly very opinionated about everything. Including bedtime. 

A good routine for this age should be simple, calm, and predictable. 

Most routines work best when they last 20–40 minutes in total. 

A typical structure might look like this: 

• Bath or wash 

• Brush teeth 

• Pyjamas and nappy 

• Milk or drink 

• Story time 

• Cuddles 

• Lights out 

The key is that the order stays the same every night. 

Another helpful trick for two-year-olds is giving small choices. This can reduce bedtime battles because they feel more in control. 

For example: 

• “Do you want the dinosaur pyjamas or the star ones?” 

• “Should we read the bunny book or the tractor book?” 

You’re still guiding the routine, but they get to make small decisions within it. 

Also remember that toddlers often try to delay bedtime with requests for: 

• another drink 

• another story 

• another hug 

• another trip to the toilet 

Setting clear expectations early helps. For example: 

“Tonight we’re reading two books, then it’s time for sleep.” 

Sample Bedtime Routine for Toddlers 

If you’re starting from scratch, here’s a simple example routine that works well for many families. 

1. 6:00pm – Dinner: Try to keep dinner at roughly the same time each evening. 

2. 6:30pm – Bath time: Baths aren’t essential every night, but they can be a helpful signal that bedtime is approaching. 

3. 6:45pm – Pyjamas and teeth brushing: Keep the lighting softer and the atmosphere calmer from this point on. 

4. 6:50pm – Quiet play or cuddle: A short calm activity such as: 

• puzzles 

• soft toys 

• a quiet chat about the day 

5. 6:55pm – Story time: Reading one or two short books is a great way to help toddlers wind down. 

6. 7:05pm – Goodnight routine: This might include: 

• a cuddle 

• turning on a nightlight 

• singing a short lullaby 

7. 7:10pm – Into bed: Say goodnight confidently and calmly. 

If they call you back, keep responses brief and consistent. 

How to Make Toddler Bedtime Easier 

Even with a good routine, bedtime doesn’t always go smoothly. Toddlers go through phases where sleep becomes more difficult. 

Here are a few ways to make evenings easier. 

Create a Sleep-Friendly Environment 

A toddler’s room should ideally be: 

• dark or dim 

• quiet 

• a comfortable temperature 

• free from too many stimulating toys 

Blackout curtains can be especially helpful during bright UK summer evenings. 

Use Visual Cues 

Some toddlers respond really well to visual bedtime charts showing the routine steps: 

• Bath 

• Pyjamas 

• Story 

• Bed 

It helps them understand what’s happening next. 

Watch Nap Timing 

If your toddler naps too late in the afternoon, bedtime can become a struggle. 

Many two-year-olds still need one nap during the day, usually early afternoon. 

Avoid Overtiredness 

Oddly, toddlers who stay up too late often struggle more to fall asleep. 

If bedtime battles are happening every night, try moving bedtime 15–20 minutes earlier. 

Stay Calm and Boring 

If your toddler keeps getting out of bed, the best approach is usually calm and consistent. 

Walk them back to bed quietly, say goodnight again, and leave. 

The less exciting the interaction is, the quicker the behaviour usually fades. 

Toddler Sleep Training Methods 

Sleep training sounds dramatic, but for toddlers it usually just means teaching them to fall asleep independently. 

There are a few common approaches parents use. 

Gradual withdrawal 

This involves slowly reducing how much help your toddler needs to fall asleep. 

For example: 

• Night 1–3: Sit next to the bed 

• Night 4–6: Sit further away 

• Night 7+: Leave the room earlier 

It can be a gentle way to build independence. 

The check-in method 

Sometimes called the “controlled comforting” approach. 

If your toddler cries, you wait a short time before checking on them, offering reassurance but not picking them up. 

Each time, you gradually increase the waiting period. 

Some parents find this effective, though it doesn’t suit every family. 

The bedtime fading method 

If bedtime battles are intense, this method involves temporarily moving bedtime later, when the toddler is genuinely sleepy. 

Once they start falling asleep quickly, bedtime is gradually moved earlier again. 

Consistency is the real key 

Regardless of the method, the biggest factor in success is consistency. 

Toddlers learn quickly when expectations stay the same from one night to the next. 

Bedtime Routines for Toddlers: Final Thoughts 

Starting a bedtime routine can feel overwhelming at first, especially if evenings currently feel chaotic. 

But the goal isn’t a perfect routine. It’s simply a calm, predictable pattern your toddler can rely on. 

Start small: 

Choose a simple sequence. 
Stick to it for a couple of weeks. 
Adjust as needed. 

Before long, your toddler will begin to recognise the signals that sleep is coming — and bedtime should become a lot less stressful for everyone involved. 

And on the nights when it still goes completely off track? Well… that’s toddler life.