Colouring NestBedtime Routine Chart for Kids
- Ages 2–10
- Easy
- 1 page
- Template
- PDF: Letter & A4
Tip: download the Letter or A4 PDF and print it at 100%. The colour-in version is further down. To add your child’s name or change the tasks, use the routine chart maker.
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Eight calm steps to bed, each with a picture: tidy toys, bath time, pyjamas, brush teeth, go to the toilet, read a story, hugs and goodnight, then lights out. There is a tick box for every night of the week, Monday to Sunday. Print the PDF in colour or as a colour-in chart.
Add a name and change the tasks →
More versions of this chart
Colour-in version (black and white)
How to use a bedtime routine
A bedtime routine is the same calming activities in roughly the same order each night; knowing what comes next helps children feel settled and fall asleep more easily (Raising Children Network). The American Academy of Pediatrics’ Brush, Book, Bed programme keeps it simple: brush teeth, read a book, and go to bed at a regular time each night.
Keep the routine short. For school-aged children the AAP suggests a bedtime routine of no more than about 30 minutes, with limits such as one story and one song (HealthyChildren.org). For toddlers and preschoolers, the Raising Children Network suggests starting about 20 minutes before bedtime.
Use the chart as a guide rather than a test: point to the next picture, let your child tick it, and finish with the cuddle and story they look forward to.
Sources: Raising Children Network: Bedtime routines; HealthyChildren.org (AAP): Brush, Book, Bed; HealthyChildren.org (AAP): Bedtime routines for school-aged children. This is general information, not medical advice.
Other charts: Morning routineAfter-school routineChore chartReward or sticker chartPotty training chartBehaviour chartVisual schedule cardsChart maker
Questions about this page
How long should a bedtime routine take?
About 20 to 30 minutes is plenty. The AAP suggests keeping a school-aged child’s routine to no longer than 30 minutes.
What order should the bedtime routine go in?
Put the active jobs first (tidying, bath, pyjamas, teeth, toilet) and the calm, enjoyable things last (a story and a cuddle), so the routine ends in bed. Keep the same order every night.
Can I put my child’s name on the chart?
Yes. Open the routine chart maker, type the name and it is drawn in big bubble letters at the top. You can change the pictures and tasks too, then print or save a PDF. The name stays in your browser: it isn’t sent to us, saved, or added to the page address.
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Printing tips
- Print at 100% (actual size) on Letter or A4 paper; thicker paper or card lasts longer on a fridge.
- Slip the chart into a plastic sleeve or laminate it, and tick with a dry-erase marker so you can wipe it clean each week.
- Stickers stay on better than ink on a laminated chart. Star stickers suit younger children.
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