Best for this moment
for calmer, lower-pressure moments, especially when you need an indoor option.
Teddy Bear Bedtime Routine
At a glance: Let your toddler put their stuffed animal through a full bedtime routine. A 12-minute, low-energy indoor activity for ages 18m–3y. No prep needed.
Your toddler becomes the parent, guiding their favourite teddy through every bedtime step — brushing teeth, putting on pyjamas, reading a story, tucking in. Rehearsing the routine through pretend play gives children a sense of control over a process that often feels imposed on them. When they are the one tucking teddy in, bedtime becomes something they do rather than something done to them.
Parent tip
Start before you overthink it. No-prep activities work best when you begin while the moment is still recoverable.
What success looks like
A good outcome is a few minutes of engaged play, some back-and-forth with you, and a small sign of progress in emotional regulation.
More help for this situation
Bedtime and wind-down
Bedtime
Use predictable routines, low-pressure activities, and calmer transitions into sleep mode.
Read the bedtime guideInstructions
- Ask your toddler to choose which stuffed animal needs to go to bed
- Start with 'teeth brushing' — mime it or use a toy toothbrush
- Help them 'dress' teddy in pretend pyjamas (a sock or cloth works)
- Ask: 'Does teddy want a story?' and read or tell a very short one
- Let your toddler tuck teddy under a small blanket or cloth
- Whisper goodnight to teddy together
- Transition: 'Now it's your turn, just like teddy'
Why it helps
Pretend play at bedtime lets toddlers process and rehearse the routine from a position of power rather than compliance. This role reversal — child as caregiver — builds empathy, independence, and emotional regulation. The predictable sequence also mirrors their own routine, making the real transition to bed feel familiar and safe.
Variations
- Line up several stuffed animals and do a 'bedtime parade' — each gets tucked in one by one.
- Let your toddler sing teddy a lullaby they know.
- Add a 'goodnight kiss' ritual where teddy gives kisses to other toys before sleeping.
Safety tips
- Choose a stuffed animal without small detachable parts (buttons, ribbons) for safe sleep.
- Keep the play calm and quiet — avoid tickling or exciting games that raise energy.
- If using a cloth as 'pyjamas', ensure it's not large enough to cover the child's face.
When to pause and seek extra support
Stop if your child becomes distressed, unsafe, or consistently frustrated by the activity. If play, behaviour, or development worries keep showing up across settings, check in with a qualified professional.
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