65 Calming Bedtime Games For Toddlers

In this post you’ll read about 65 Calming Bedtime Games For Toddlers that you can use in your daily bedtime routines!

Bedtime with my kids is magical yet challenging, just like it is for fellow moms. Let’s make bedtime a breeze while strengthening our bonds.

I’ll share 60 fun bedtime activities to ease the transition into slumber and deepen our connections. We’ll also explore the science behind bedtime struggles and learn how to overcome them.

Get ready for peaceful and loving nights with your little ones!

Together, we’ll create unforgettable bedtime moments and look forward to it every night.

This post may contain affiliate links. Full privacy policy and disclosure here.

Bedtime Games For Toddlers

1. Bedtime stories – Reading a story to your toddler can help them calm down and feel comforted before going to bed.
2. Puzzles – Simple puzzles with large pieces can be a fun and calming activity for toddlers before bedtime.
3. Memory games – Playing memory games with your toddler can help improve their cognitive skills and keep them focused.
4. Coloring – Coloring books and pages can be a soothing and creative way for toddlers to wind down before bed. We really love our non toxic crayons when we color in.
5. Stuffed animal play – Playing with stuffed animals can help your toddler feel comforted and secure.
6. Lullabies – Singing or playing gentle lullabies can help soothe your toddler and prepare them for sleep.
7. Counting games – Counting games, such as counting sheep, can be a fun and calming activity for toddlers before bedtime.
8. Soft toy play – Playing with soft, plush toys can be a comforting and relaxing activity for toddlers before sleep.
9. Matching games – Matching games can help improve your toddler’s memory and concentration while providing a calming activity.
10. Bedtime yoga – Simple yoga poses can help your toddler relax and calm down before bedtime, here arethe best yoga books for kids you may love!.
11. Sensory play – Sensory play activities, such as playing with water or sand, can be a calming and engaging activity for toddlers.
12. Building blocks – Playing with building blocks can help improve your toddler’s motor skills while providing a calming activity.
13. Bedtime songs – Singing gentle songs can help your toddler relax and feel comforted before bed.
14. Board games – Simple board games can be a fun and calming activity for toddlers before bedtime.
15. Simon Says – Playing Simon Says can be a fun and engaging way for your toddler to wind down before bed.
16. Word games – Simple word games, such as rhyming or word associations, can be a fun and calming activity for toddlers.
17. Playdough – Playing with playdough can be a calming and creative activity for toddlers before bedtime.
18. Animal sounds – Making animal sounds can be a fun and engaging activity for toddlers before bed.
19. I Spy – Playing I Spy can be a fun and calming way for your toddler to focus before sleep.
20. Drawing – Providing paper and crayons for your toddler to draw with can be a soothing and creative activity before bedtime.
21. Musical toys – Playing with musical toys, such as a keyboard or xylophone, can be a fun and calming activity for toddlers.
22. Scavenger hunt – A simple scavenger hunt can be a fun and engaging activity for toddlers before bed.
23. Play kitchen – Playing with a play kitchen can be a calming and imaginative activity for toddlers before bedtime.
24. Balloon play – Playing with balloons can be a fun and calming activity for toddlers before sleep.
25. Bubble bath – Taking a relaxing bubble bath with bath toys that don’t mold can help calm and soothe your toddler before bedtime.
26. Flashlight tag – Playing flashlight tag can be a fun and engaging activity for toddlers before bed.
27. Sticker books – Sticker books can be a calming and creative activity for toddlers before sleep.
28. Puppet play – Playing with puppets can be a fun and imaginative activity for toddlers before bedtime.
29. Treasure hunt – A simple treasure hunt can be a fun and engaging activity for toddlers before bed.
30. Alphabet games – Simple alphabet games, such as finding letters or spelling words, can be a fun and calming activity for toddlers.
31. Tea party – Hosting a pretend tea party can be a calming and imaginative activity for toddlers before bedtime.
32. Hula hoop – Playing with a hula hoop can be a fun and engaging activity for toddlers before bed.
33. Shape sorting – Playing with shape sorting toys can help improve your toddler’s cognitive skills while providing a calming activity before sleep.
34. Nature walk – Taking a gentle nature walk with your toddler can be a calming and enjoyable activity before bedtime.
35. Jigsaw puzzles – Completing simple jigsaw puzzles can be a calming and satisfying activity for toddlers before bed.
36. Bubble popping – Popping bubbles can be a fun and engaging activity for toddlers before bedtime.
37. Sing-alongs – Singing simple songs together can be a fun and calming activity for toddlers before bed.
38. Magnetic toys – Playing with magnetic toys like magnet tiles, can be a fun and calming activity for toddlers.
39. Simon’s Cat – Watching short, calming videos of Simon’s Cat can be a relaxing and enjoyable activity for toddlers before bedtime.
40. Marble runs – Playing with marble runs can be a calming and stimulating activity for toddlers before sleep.
41. Water play – Playing with water, such as pouring water into different containers or splashing in a shallow pool or at a water table, can be a calming and enjoyable activity for toddlers before bedtime.
42. Balancing games – Playing balancing games, such as balancing a bean bag on your head or walking along a balance beam, can be a fun and calming activity for toddlers before bed.
43. Snuggling – Snuggling with your toddler and giving them gentle hugs can be a comforting and calming activity before sleep.
44. Shape tracing – Tracing different shapes with a finger or pencil can be a calming and engaging activity for toddlers before bedtime.
45. Sock puppets – Making and playing with sock puppets can be a fun and imaginative activity for toddlers before bed.
46. Play dough stamping – Stamping different shapes and patterns into play dough can be a calming and creative activity for toddlers before sleep.
47. Paper airplane making – Making and flying paper airplanes can be a fun and calming activity for toddlers before bedtime.
48. Hand puppet play – Playing with hand puppets can be a fun and imaginative activity for toddlers before bed.
49. Dress-up play – Dressing up in different costumes and pretending to be different characters can be a calming and imaginative activity for toddlers before sleep.
50. Bubble blowing – Blowing bubbles can be a fun and engaging activity for toddlers before bedtime.
51. Stringing beads – Stringing beads onto a cord or wire can be a calming and satisfying activity for toddlers before bed.
52. Sensory bins – Playing with sensory bins, such as a bin filled with rice or beans, can be a calming and stimulating activity for toddlers before sleep.
53. Train play – Playing with a toy train set can be a fun and calming activity for toddlers before bedtime.
54. Watercolor painting – Painting with watercolors can be a calming and creative activity for toddlers before bed.
55. Playdough stamping – Stamping different shapes and patterns into play dough can be a calming and creative activity for toddlers before sleep.
56. Animal figurine play – Playing with animal figurines can be a fun and imaginative activity for toddlers before bedtime.
57. Bedtime affirmations – Saying positive affirmations or reciting calming phrases together can help your toddler feel relaxed and ready for sleep.
58. Storytelling – Telling your toddler a calming and comforting story can be a soothing activity before bedtime.
59. Coloring books – Coloring in a simple coloring book can be a calming and satisfying activity for toddlers before bedtime.
60. Flashlight games – Playing simple flashlight games, such as shining a flashlight on the ceiling and making shapes, can be a fun and calming activity before bed.
61. Shadow puppetry – Making and playing with shadow puppets can be a fun and imaginative activity for toddlers before sleep.
62. Stargazing – Gazing up at the stars and talking about them can be a calming and fascinating activity for toddlers before bed.
63. Magnetic drawing boards – Drawing on a magnetic drawing board can be a fun and calming activity for toddlers before bedtime.
64. Lay out clothes for next day – It can be very calming just to start getting prepared for the following day and connect with your little one over an easy activity.
65. Journal together – Write in a gratitude journal together. Here are some great things to add to your child’s gratitude journal.

The Bedtime Challenge

Bedtime with children is often described as a nightly adventure, but it can sometimes feel more like a battle. In this section, we will delve into the common challenges parents face during bedtime routines and explore why it can be such a daunting task.

Understanding these challenges is the first step toward creating a more peaceful and enjoyable bedtime experience.

Managing Evening Energy Surges

The evening hours leading up to bedtime are often referred to as the “witching hour.” It’s that time of day when kids seem to have boundless energy, making it difficult to wind down and prepare for sleep. We’ll discuss the science behind this phenomenon and provide strategies to tackle it effectively.

The Endless Stall Tactics

“I need a glass of water.” “Can you check for monsters?” “One more story, please!” Sound familiar? Children are masters of bedtime stalling tactics, and these delays can leave parents feeling frustrated and exhausted. We’ll explore some of the most common stall tactics and share tips for handling them with patience and grace.

Separation Anxiety

For many children, the thought of being separated from their parents at bedtime can trigger anxiety and fear. We’ll discuss how to address separation anxiety and create a sense of security that allows both you and your child to feel comfortable when it’s time to say goodnight.

Technology Temptations

In today’s digital age, screens and gadgets can be a significant obstacle to a smooth bedtime routine. We’ll examine the impact of technology on sleep and offer guidelines for setting healthy screen time boundaries before bedtime.

Sleep Fears and Nightmares

Children’s imaginations can run wild at night, leading to fears and nightmares that disrupt their sleep. We’ll provide guidance on how to address and alleviate these fears, creating a more peaceful sleep environment for your child.

By addressing these bedtime challenges head-on, you’ll be better equipped to create a bedtime routine that is not only smoother but also more enjoyable for both you and your child. With a deeper understanding of the hurdles you face, you can implement strategies to overcome them and pave the way for a more peaceful bedtime experience.

Enhancing Connection

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, bedtime can be a precious opportunity to strengthen the bond between you and your child. Beyond ensuring a smooth transition to sleep, it’s a time to foster connection, trust, and open communication. In this section, we’ll explore how each bedtime activity can be a catalyst for enhancing the connection between you and your child.

Building Trust Through Playful Interaction

One of the fundamental ways to enhance the parent-child connection during bedtime is through playful interaction. As you engage in activities like shadow puppet shows or I Spy games, you create an atmosphere of trust and fun. Encourage your child to participate actively, allowing their imagination to flourish. When children feel safe and valued in these moments, it deepens the emotional connection between you.

Encouraging Open Dialogue

Bedtime provides a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations with your child. Activities like stargazing while making wishes or creating silly bedtime stories can serve as conversation starters. Use these moments to ask open-ended questions about your child’s day, their thoughts, and their dreams. When your child knows they can confide in you without judgment, it strengthens the parent-child bond and fosters a sense of security.

Role-Playing

Role-playing before bedtime can be a powerful tool for understanding your child’s perspective. Letting them take on different roles, such as being the parent or the teacher, allows you to glimpse their thoughts, feelings, and concerns. This empathetic approach not only enhances the connection but also provides insights into their emotional world. It’s a chance to nurture empathy and understanding within your relationship.

Collaborative Storytelling

Creating bedtime stories together, with family members as characters, is a collaborative and creative experience. It’s a fantastic way to bond as you weave tales filled with imagination and humor. Your child’s active involvement in crafting the narrative ensures that these stories hold special meaning for both of you, creating lasting memories and enhancing your shared history.

One-on-One Quality Time

Engaging in activities like puzzles or board games at bedtime allows for focused one-on-one time with your child. In today’s busy world, this quality time can be precious. It not only strengthens your connection but also fosters a sense of belonging and importance in your child’s life. These quiet, intimate moments become cherished memories for both you and your child.

By prioritizing connection during bedtime, you’re not just helping your child drift into peaceful sleep; you’re also nurturing a deep and lasting bond that will continue to grow stronger with each passing night. These bedtime activities become more than just routines; they become the building blocks of a loving and secure parent-child relationship.

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Conclusion

Let’s admit, persuading the little ones to hit the hay is no child’s play, but with these 65 games, bedtime could just be the most-awaited chapter of their day.

Don’t forget to sprinkle in some magic with your own childhood memories—maybe the time you thought the moon followed the car just to watch you sleep. Bedtime is that golden bridge between daylight and dreams. Why not make it a trip full of laughter and love?

Remember to slip in those affiliate links where parents can find bedtime game essentials. Books, puzzles, soft music albums, or that special nightlight that projects the galaxy onto the ceiling—these are all opportunities to add value (and yes, make some commission).

In the whispers of night, when the world slows down, those moments right before the sandman visits are golden. Who knew that a simple game could turn the “Please, just five more minutes!” into “Can we please play this again tomorrow night?”

So, tuck in those sheets, dim the lights, and prepare for giggles and yawns. It’s not just about getting them to sleep—it’s about making memories that last far beyond the final kiss goodnight.

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