Going to be bed for Toddlers can be an adventure. We believe that having a firm routine is the best way to encourage good wind down habits from your toddler and consistent sleep. A key part of that is reading a few stories. We encourage having a rotating cast of books and characters – but sometimes it is a good strategy to keep a few books consistent. Here are some of our favorite toddler bedtime stories for your bedtime routine.

What is important in a toddler bedtime routine?

We think consistency is the key to the toddler bedtime routine. Yes – there are going to be exceptions but on most nights your toddler should know that things will follow a regular cadence. Something like – Dinner, some playroom time, bath and teeth brushing, filling up water bottle, and then a few books before bed. Since the books are the last item on the list – we encourage books that are more even in tone and without too much excitement.

We also encourage reading in the same spot every night, whether it be sitting on the couch in the playroom or in a chair in your toddler’s bedroom – a consistent reading spot will limit distractions and set a repeatable tone that it is time for bed.

For more on the importance of reading to your toddler – check out our recent deep dive

Our Favorites:

Goodnight Moon

One of our favorite books of all time – Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown does a great job in presenting an even tone as bunny says goodnight to everything in the softly lit room. While you can find this book on Amazon – you might be able to find a copy for free from a Buy Nothing Group or a family member/friend as this is one of the most popular toddler board books.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

This book version of the classic lullaby features adorable drawings of cute little animals looking up at the stars and going through their bedtime routines

The Going to Bed Book

Another great toddler board book by Sandra Boynton – this tale documents the night time routine of a group of animals on a boat. It follows them as they take baths, brush their teeth, put on pajamas and go to bed as the day winds down

Night Night Dino-Snores

We are big fans of Touch-and-Feel books as we think they are a great interactive way to introduce toddlers to reading – and Night Night Dino-Snores is another great entrant into the toddler reading category. Be careful not to read this one too fast or you might get tongue tied with the rhymes! Dinosaurs seem more popular than ever – so this is a great toddler bedtime story choice.

It Is Not Time For Sleeping (A Bedtime Story)

For any toddlers resisting bedtime – this may be the bedtime story for them! This beautifully illustrated book by Lisa Graff and Lauren Castillo (Caldecott Winner) follows our protagonist as he fights against the inevitability of sleep as he goes through his bedtime routine

We hope you enjoy some of these books! Let us know on social media or in the comments if you have any other recommendations.

If you liked this – check out some of our other toddler book content: