TinyStepper

Teddy's Bedtime Routine

At a glance: Narrate putting teddy to bed step by step — 'Teddy's sleepy. Tuck in. Night night teddy!' A 8-minute, low-energy indoor activity for ages 18m–3y.

Built by a parent of toddlersBest for 18m-3y

Field-tested ideas shaped by direct parenting experience and advice from reputable sources, including NHS Best Start in Life and NSPCC child development research.

18m–3y8 minslow energyindoornone mess

Give your toddler a small stuffed animal and act out a bedtime routine together. 'Teddy is so sleepy! Let's put teddy to bed. Lie down, teddy. Pull the blanket up. Tuck tuck tuck. Night night teddy! Shhhh.' The narrative structure (beginning, middle, end) combined with familiar vocabulary makes this a perfect bridge between single words and early sentences.

Best for this moment

for calmer, lower-pressure moments, especially when you need an indoor option.

Parent tip

Set out blankets and stuffed animals before inviting your toddler in so the first minute feels smooth.

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

Instructions

Get ready
  • Find a small stuffed animal and a cloth for a 'blanket'
  • 'Teddy is SO sleepy! Look at teddy's tired eyes.'
  1. Find a small stuffed animal and a cloth for a 'blanket'
  2. 'Teddy is SO sleepy! Look at teddy's tired eyes.'
  3. Let toddler help lie teddy down: 'Lie down teddy. Good night!'
  4. Pull the cloth over teddy: 'Tuck tuck tuck. Warm and cosy!'
  5. Whisper: 'Shhh... night night teddy. Sweet dreams.'
  6. Pause — then 'WAKE UP TEDDY! Good morning!'
  7. Let toddler try narrating the routine themselves

Why it helps

Pretend play with narration combines language, sequencing, and emotional understanding. Bedtime vocabulary is among the most repeated in a toddler's day, making it ideal for language practice. By narrating a familiar routine with a toy, you're giving toddlers the script they'll eventually use themselves. Speech and Language UK recommend using daily routines as language-building opportunities because the same words repeat naturally.

Variations

  • Do teddy's morning routine: 'Wake up teddy! Stretch! Breakfast time!'
  • Let toddler narrate: 'What does teddy do next?'
  • Add a bath: 'Teddy needs a wash! Splash splash!'

Safety tips

  • Use a small, lightweight soft toy.
  • Avoid any fabric or material that could cover a baby's face.
  • This can help with bedtime resistance — rehearsing the routine makes it predictable.

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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