When Bedtime Feels Like a Wrestling Match
Creating a bedtime routine for toddlers isn’t about achieving those picture-perfect moments you see online. It’s about finding what works for your specific child in your actual life. We work with families who come to us convinced they’re the only ones struggling with bedtime. Spoiler: they’re not. Pretty much every parent has been there. The difference is finding an approach that fits your child’s personality and your family’s reality.
And yes, toddlers are going to be unpredictable. One night, they’ll surprise you by going straight to sleep, the next, they’ll treat bedtime like it’s an unreasonable request. A good routine helps, but it’s not going to turn your child into a sleep robot. With the right occupational therapy input, though, families can learn practical strategies to make evenings calmer and more consistent.
Why Bedtime Routines Actually Matter (Beyond Getting Your Evening Back)
Here’s what we’ve noticed working with families all over the UK: the benefits of a regular bedtime routine for a young child stretch way beyond just getting them actually to sleep.
When children know what comes next, their nervous system starts preparing for rest before they even realise it. Their cortisol levels drop. Their heart rate slows. Their brain begins switching from “explore everything mode” to “time to recharge mode.”
According to NHS guidance on child development, predictable bedtime routines support better emotional regulation and improved attention spans during the day. Not because we’re forcing compliance, but because we’re working with how children’s brains naturally develop.
We see this all the time — parents come to us worried about their child’s focus during the day, only to discover that chaotic bedtimes are part of the puzzle. Fix the sleep, and suddenly everything else starts falling into place. (Well, mostly. Toddlers are still toddlers.)
When Your Child Needs Extra Support: Bedtime Routine, Occupational Therapy
Sometimes standard bedtime advice doesn’t cut it. Maybe your child has sensory sensitivities that make certain textures or sounds overwhelming at bedtime. Perhaps they struggle with transitions between activities. Or they might have underlying developmental differences that make winding down particularly challenging.
This is where bedtime routine occupational therapy makes all the difference. We don’t just tell you to “be consistent” — we help you understand why your child might be struggling in the first place.
Take sensory processing, for example. Some children need more physical input to feel calm (weighted blankets or gentle pressure), while others need less stimulation (softer fabrics, dimmer lights). An occupational therapist can help you figure out which camp your child falls into.
We also look at fine and gross motor skills during bedtime activities. Can your child actually manage the physical tasks we’re asking them to do? Brushing teeth, putting on pyjamas, and climbing into bed — these aren’t automatic for every toddler.
Taming the Hurricane: Bedtime Routine for Hyper Toddler
If your child treats bedtime like it’s an invitation to perform acrobatics, you need different strategies. A bedtime routine for a hyper toddler requires understanding that their energy isn’t defiance — it’s just how they’re wired.
Start your wind-down earlier than you think you need to. That burst of energy at 7 pm? It’s probably overtiredness masquerading as hyperactivity. Begin dimming lights and reducing stimulation around 6 pm, even if bedtime isn’t until 8 pm.
Create what we call “energy bridges” — activities that help channel their physical needs while moving toward calm. This might be gentle yoga poses with story themes, or letting them help with a calming bedtime task like organising their stuffed animals.
The key is working with their energy, not against it. We had one family whose three-year-old would literally run laps around the house at bedtime. Instead of fighting it, we helped them create a “bedtime obstacle course” that ended with quiet activities in their room. Problem solved.
Making It Actually Enjoyable: Fun Bedtime Routine for Kids
A fun bedtime routine for kids doesn’t mean turning bedtime into party time. It means finding ways to make the necessary activities feel engaging rather than like a chore.
Let your child have some control within the structure. They can choose between two pairs of pyjamas, or decide whether tonight is a book night or a quiet song night. Small choices help them feel involved without derailing the entire routine.
We love simple rituals that children can “help” with — like being the one to turn off the main light, or helping to pull their own covers up. These tiny responsibilities make them feel important and invested in the process.
Story time doesn’t always mean reading a book. Sometimes it’s chatting about what happened during their day, or making up gentle stories where the characters are getting sleepy as well. What you’re aiming for is connection and calmness, not putting on a show.
When You Need Professional Support
Sometimes bedtime struggles signal something deeper than just needing a better routine. If your child consistently fights sleep despite consistent routines, or if they seem genuinely distressed (not just protesting), it might be worth having a conversation with someone who specialises in child development.
At PT Kids, we work with families to understand the “why” behind bedtime challenges. Is it sensory? Motor skills? Anxiety? Understanding the root cause helps us create strategies that actually address your child’s needs rather than just managing their behaviour.
Ready to Reclaim Your Evenings?
If bedtime has become this ongoing battle that leaves everyone feeling completely worn out, you really don’t have to sort it all out by yourself. Our team understands how children’s minds and bodies develop, and we work with families across the UK to find realistic solutions that fit their actual lives.
Want to stop your evenings feeling like complete mayhem? Give PT Kids a call to arrange an assessment. Good bedtimes aren’t some luxury — they’re what helps your child handle everything else they need to do each day, from learning at school to when you start to teach dressing skills at home.
