Bedtime battles? Stalling? Suddenly dying of thirst the moment the lights go out? Yeah, we’ve all been there.
Here’s the thing—most of the time, kids aren’t fighting sleep itself. They’re fighting separation.
When kids feel connected before bed, they settle more easily. They resist less. They actually go to sleep instead of popping out of bed 14 times for “just one more thing.”
But what if you are totally spent by bedtime? (Because, let’s be real, you probably are.)
Good news: Connection doesn’t have to be high-energy. You can fill up their little love tanks without moving much—or, ideally, at all.
Here are 12 lazy-parent-approved bedtime games that increase connection, decrease bedtime struggles, and (bonus) require very little effort from you.
1. Sleeping Giant
Pretend you’re a very tired giant who can only move in super slow motion. Your child has to “help” tuck you in, but you keep sleepily mumbling nonsense like:
“I need a pillow made of marshmallows.”
“Please cover me with an invisible blanket.”
“Oh no! My foot fell asleep before me!”
You stay still, they get their giggles out—everybody wins.
2. Magic Elevator
Lay on your back, and have your child lay on your belly or back. Take deep belly breaths, and let them “ride” the elevator up and down as you breathe in and out.
“Going up to the dreamland floor…”
“Oops, emergency stop—someone needs one last hug!”
It’s playful and calming at the same time. A nervous system reset for both of you.
3. Who Can Stay the Sleepiest?
Challenge your child to a “who can stay the stillest and sleepiest the longest” game.
But… throw in silly sleep instructions to make them laugh:
“To stay extra sleepy, you must wiggle your pinky toe.”
“If you hear a giggle, you have to say ‘goodnight, spaghetti.’”
“Whatever you do, don’t let your pillow float away!”
The more you pretend you’re losing the game, the funnier it gets.
4. The Sleepy Animal Game
Ask, “Can you show me how a very tired bunny/cat/pig goes to sleep?”
They act it out, you copy them, and suddenly—whoops—you’re both in bed.
5. Snuggle Sandwich
Lay down and tell your child they’re the filling in a cozy snuggle sandwich. Describe the “ingredients” as you gentlysquish them with pillows or blankets:
“First, I add a layer of fluffy dream clouds…”
“Next, a sprinkle of extra bedtime giggles…”
“Oh no! The sandwich needs one more kiss to hold it all together!”
Ends in a warm, connected snuggle.
6. The Love Bug Game
Tell your child you’ve been bitten by the Sleepy Love Bug, and now you can’t stop giving them sleep-inducing snuggles, kisses, or gentle squeezes.
“Oh no! The Love Bug got me! I have to smother you in the sleepiest cuddles!”
“Wait—did it just get YOU? Quick, snuggle attack!”
Ridiculous? Yes. But also? Kind of magic.
7. The Tickle Password
Before they can get into bed, they have to guess the secret sleepy password.
If they guess wrong? Tickle attack.
If they guess right? Still maybe a tickle attack.
They’ll beg to play again tomorrow.
8. The Whisper Challenge
Tell them you have lost your voice and can only communicate in the tiniest, sleepiest whispers.
“Okay, I’ll tell you a bedtime story, but you have to lean in soooo close to hear it…”
This naturally slows their energy way down.
9. The Sleepy Stuffie Swap
Tell them their stuffed animals got mixed up and are in the wrong spots.
“Wait a minute… why is Bunny where Bear should be? Did they switch beds?
“Oh no! One of them is upside down! Can you fix it before they fall asleep?”
Simple? Yes. Hilarious to them? Also yes.
10. The Bedtime Fortune Teller
Pretend to be a very sleepy fortune teller who can predict their dreams.
“Ohhh I see… tonight, you will dream of flying a giant spaghetti noodle through the sky.”
“Wait! The dream is changing… I see… a dancing giraffe??”
They can add their own predictions too, which makes it even sillier.
Why Play Before Bed?
Bedtime resistance usually isn’t about not wanting to sleep. It’s about not wanting to separate from you.
When kids feel connected before bed, they don’t need to fight for your attention after lights out. And when they feel safe, seen, and full of connection, they settle so much easier.
And the best part? You don’t have to be high-energy to make that happen.
A few minutes of low-effort, high-connection play right before bed can completely shift bedtime from a battle to a bonding moment.
Which one are you trying tonight? Let me know in the comments!
Want More Support for Bedtime?
If you loved these ideas and want even more ways to make bedtime easier while strengthening your connection with your child, I’ve got you covered!
✨ Get my free guide, The Connected Bedtime—packed with simple strategies to create a smoother, more connected bedtime routine. Just use the code FREE at checkout to grab it for free!
💡 Need deeper support for toddler sleep? My Comprehensive Toddler Sleep E-Course is designed to help you navigate sleep struggles without sleep training. This course is all about understanding your child’s behavior through the lens of attachment and development—so you can make any sleep transitions in a way that feels holistic, responsive, and respectful.
You don’t have to choose between connection and better sleep—when we work with our kids’ needs instead of against them, bedtime can actually become a peaceful, connected part of the day. 💛
These are genius. Thanks so much!