Free Printable Bedtime Routine Chart for Kids

Bedtime goes more smoothly when kids know exactly what comes next. A bedtime routine chart takes the guesswork (and a lot of the negotiating) out of the evening. The steps are numbered and each has a picture, so even toddlers can follow along and see how close they are to story time.

What’s inside

Page 1: nine numbered steps with pictures: tidy up toys, bath time, put on pajamas, brush my teeth, go potty, drink some water, story time, hugs and kisses, and lights out. Each step has a circle for every day of the week, and there’s a reward line at the bottom.

Page 2: a blank version with numbered rows, so you can draw and write your own family’s routine.

How to use it

1. Hang the chart at your child’s eye level, in the bedroom or bathroom.
2. Walk through it together for the first few nights and point to each picture as you go.
3. Let your child color a circle or add a sticker after each step.
4. Keep the order the same every night. The routine itself is what helps kids wind down.

If your routine is different, for example bath in the morning or a nightlight instead of lights out, use the blank page and make it your own.

Tips

• Start 30 to 45 minutes before lights out so nobody feels rushed.
• Dim the lights and turn off screens at the first step. It signals that the day is ending.
• Keep the reward small and calm, like choosing the bedtime story or a special song.

FAQ

What age is a bedtime routine chart for?

Picture charts work well from about age 2 to 7. Toddlers follow the pictures, and older kids enjoy ticking things off on their own.

How long should a bedtime routine take?

Twenty to forty minutes is typical. The steps on this chart fit comfortably in that time.

What if my child skips steps?

Point to the next picture instead of giving a verbal reminder. It turns “do as I say” into “what does the chart say?”, which tends to cause fewer arguments.

For personal use only. Please share a link to this page rather than the file itself.