Bedtime Routine Activities
Part One

Click here for Part Two

Are you finding the bedtime routine challenging?

Following routines help make little ones feel secure by knowing what will happen next.

Unfortunately the bedtime routine can often be hard for young children because they may feel a loss of control or boredom as they have to go through the various tasks.

Fortunately toddlers can easily be distracted, entertained and given small tasks to help them feel more independent and capable. Every child has different needs so that's why there are so many options on this page for you to choose from.

Parenting tip for your toddler: When I feel a power struggle coming on with a toddler I often burst out in song! If done with enthusiasm and joy, this both defuses the negative energy and often engages the toddlers to work with you (...or they might just stand and stare, but it's much better than a tantrum). Don't worry if you think you're off-key - I know I often am, but it works just the same.

It's a bonus if the song is related, so some Mother Goose nursery rhyme lyrics that have been adapted to the bedtime routine are dotted throughout this page. Also making up little toddler songs about what you're doing is a brilliant creative outlet... so it can keep you both entertained!

Getting Undressed

Related Toddler Songs

Take Off Your Jumper (Sweater) (tune: London Bridge)

Take off your jumper, just like this,
Just like this, just like this,
Take off your jumper, just like this,
When it's time to take a bath.

This can be easily adapted, not only to other clothes but also other tasks such as washing hands, using the potty, changing nappies (diapers). Click here for more nappy changing fun ideas.

Undressing Rap

Take off that shoe,
and your sock too, poo,
Do it with the other,
To help your mother,

Lift your T-shirt up high,
Towards the sky,
Push your trousers down low,
There's just your pants to go.

NB: The rhyme above uses British lingo. The following version of the second verse is more appropriate for Americans:

Lift your shirt up high,
Towards the sky,
Push your pants down low,
There's just your briefs to go.

Playful Parenting at Bathtime

Drop and Pop Game

Simply drop and hold a rubber duck, boat or ball under water, prime your toddler with "Where's the duck? It's sunk beneath the water. Get ready it's going to... pop!" and simply let go. "Oh look, it actually floats by itself! Would you like me to do it again?"

Exploring Floating and Sinking

You could let your toddler play with heavy items such as a spoon or a shell in the bath so she can experience the concept of sinking and compare them with the toys that float.

A Terrific Toddler Topic

Talk about your child's body parts. You could go beyond labelling and mention/ask about what the different body parts help us do.

There are so many fun water activities toddlers can do that we've devoted a whole page to them! Check out more water play ideas.

Bathtime Nursery Rhymes

Traditionally there are five ducks in this rhymes but three suit toddlers' attention spans better. It would help her math skills even more if you 'acted out' the song with rubber ducks.

Three little ducks went swimming one day,
Over the pond and far away,
Mother duck said quack, quack, quack, quack
And two little ducks came swimming back.

Repeat except subtract one duck from each verse until the last line, which is:

And all three ducks came swimming back.

Bath Version of Row Your Boat

Row, row, row your boat,
While you're in the bath,
If you see a rubber duck
Don't forget to laugh

The Bath Song (To the tune of 'Row Your Boat')

Bath, bath, take a bath,
Get so nice and clean,
Scrubby, scrubby, scrubby, scrub
While you're in the tub

Great! Take me to Part Two of the Bedtime Routine


Sing your way from Bedtime Routine to Toddler Parenting