Best Night Routine For Kids in School + Checklist
Looking for the best night routine for kids? I’m sharing our realistic school night routine, and all the tips that help bedtime feel less chaotic!
Creating a consistent bedtime routine for kids will make evenings feel calmer, less stressful, and more structured for the whole family. Whether you need a school night routine checklist or tips to make bedtime easier, this post has everything you need to create a night routine that works for your family.
Why A Night Routine For Kids Is Important
Bedtime routines are everything in my home! When I follow a routine, I feel more organized and productive, and it’s the same for my kids. Having a consistent night routine for kids helps them know what they need to accomplish each evening and keeps everyone on track.
Seriously, establishing good routines is one of my favorite mom hacks to make parenting easier. Good routines also benefit children. According to WebMD, following a routine as a family helps children feel secure and sets them up for success socially and academically.
In this post, I am sharing our realistic nighttime routine for kids and tips to help you create your own!
This post is all about the best night routine for kids.
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School Night Routine For Kids:
Our night routine usually begins around 5:00 pm. My kids have an hour or so of free time after school to unwind and do the things they enjoy (which is usually video games, ha).
After that, we start our school night routine to help everyone prepare for the next day.
Empty Backpacks
I have my kids empty their backpacks each night and get them ready for the next day. This helps keep their backpacks tidy because all the stuff they bring home for school piles up quickly!
I also quickly check any paperwork to make sure there is nothing important I need to sign or fill out.
Get Things Ready For The Next Day
Mornings with kids can be chaotic, so I highly recommend getting as much ready the night before as possible.
This includes:
- Homework
- Packing lunches
- Refilling water bottles
- Filling out forms
- Picking out clothes
Anything you can do the night before, do it… It will make the mornings so much easier!
Looking for more ways to make your morning easier? Check out The Best School Morning Routine Ideas For Kids.
Dinner
Time to eat!
Wash Up & Brush Teeth
After dinner, the kids shower, floss, and brush their teeth.
15-minute Clean Up/Chores
Next, the kids tidy up their room and do their chores. I find it so much easier to stay on top of messes by doing a quick 15-20 minute clean up every day rather than letting the mess pile up.
For more cleaning help, read 9 Realistic Cleaning Tips For Busy Moms.
Quiet Time Before Bed
An hour of quiet time before bed helps my kids calm down and transition into bedtime (without fuss).
Some quiet time activities they enjoy are:
- Coloring
- Drawing
- Reading
- Playing with toys
- Listening to music
Sometimes they just want to talk about their day with me. I mainly use this time to encourage calm activities and help everyone wind down before bed.
Read For 15 Minutes
Reading for 15 minutes is part of their nightly homework, but it’s also a good way to help their eyes get sleepy before bed!
Affirmations
I love ending the day on a positive note, so we like to say simple positive affirmations before bed, like:
- I am kind
- I am smart
- I am strong
- I am loved
The kids actually look forward to this part of our bedtime routine!
If your kids enjoy affirmations, you’ll love this list of Positive Affirmations For Kids.
Bedtime
And finally… It’s time for bed, and you can have some much-needed “me time”!
Bonus Bedtime Tip For Older Kids
One thing I love for older kids is having them write in a gratitude journal before bed.
Journaling is such an easy way for kids to wind down, reflect on their day, and focus on the positive before falling asleep. It can also help calm a busy mind.
I found this gratitude journal that is super simple and easy for kids to use before bed.
The 3 Minute Gratitude Journal for Kids
It only takes a few minutes each night, but it’s such a good habit to encourage!
Tips For Creating A Bedtime Routine For Kids
Every family and child is different, so don’t feel like your nighttime routine has to look exactly like someone else’s.
The biggest thing that has helped our family is keeping our routine simple and consistent. Even having a basic bedtime routine for kids can make evenings feel less stressful and mornings run more smoothly.
If you want morning routine tips for moms, check out my post on The Best Mom Morning Routine Tips.
Kids Night Routine Checklist
Here’s a simple version of our school night routine checklist:
- Empty backpacks
- Finish homework
- Pack lunches
- Refill water bottles
- Pick out clothes
- Eat dinner
- Shower or bath
- Brush teeth & floss
- Tidy room
- Quiet time
- Read for 15 minutes
- Say affirmations
- Bedtime
Free Printable Night Routine Checklist For Kids
Want to create your own night routine for your kids?
You can print this free night routine checklist I created to make your kid’s school night routine list.
Writing down your night routine makes it so much easier for kids to remember and follow!
FAQ’s About Night Routine For Kids
Common questions about bedtime routines for kids.
What is a good night routine for kids?
A good night routine for kids includes calming activities to help them wind down, like bathing, brushing teeth, reading, and preparing for the next day. Consistent routines help children feel secure.
What time should a child start their bedtime routine?
It’s a good idea to start their bedtime routine 1-2 hours before bed so it doesn’t feel rushed or stressful.
How do I create a bedtime routine for kids?
Start with a few simple habits like bathing, reading, and preparing for school. Keep the routine consistent so children know what to expect each night.
This post was all about the best night routine for kids in school.
A consistent school night routine for kids doesn’t have to be complicated. Start small, stay consistent, and adjust the routine to fit your family. Once you find a routine that works for your family, evenings will feel so much calmer and less stressful for everyone.
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