I love all that summertime brings—longer days, vacations, perfect weather, and the relaxed pace of life. As a kid, I cherished running around the neighborhood, playing outside until the sun dipped below the horizon. Now, as a mom, I look forward to this time of year even more, as it offers the opportunity for extended evenings and slower mornings.
A few years ago, when the world paused and our kids didn’t have to wake up early for school, I decided to experiment with pushing bedtime a bit later. It was an easy decision since we were no longer on a tight schedule. Both of my kids, then ages 4 and 7, started sleeping a little longer, and it was glorious to have more time together in the evening and later mornings. Now, it’s become a tradition every summer.
Want to make the most of your summer evenings too? Here’s how you can enjoy a later bedtime with your toddlers, preschoolers, or elementary-aged kids this summer—without sacrificing their sleep.
Important Note for Babies: While pushing bedtime later can work well for older kids, it’s typically not recommended for babies, whose schedules are based on natural awake windows and circadian rhythms. Babies do best with an early bedtime around 7 PM.
What if your child is already going to bed at 7 PM? If you’re loving this early bedtime, don’t change a thing. Stick to that schedule—it works!
When to Keep Bedtime the Same
If your child’s routine isn't changing, there’s no need to adjust their bedtime. For instance, if they still need to wake up early for summer camp or daycare, keeping the earlier bedtime ensures they get enough rest. Sleep goal: A solid 11-12 hours of nighttime sleep for toddlers and preschoolers. If your toddler is still napping, they may sleep slightly less at night, but the general bedtime range should be between 7:00-8:00 PM (8:30 PM at the latest).
How do you know if your child’s sleep schedule is on track?
For toddlers and preschoolers, you want to aim for a bedtime that allows them to fall asleep within 10-15 minutes and sleep until around 6-7 AM.
If your child has a solid 30-40 minute bedtime routine and falls asleep easily, consider pushing bedtime later gradually during the summer months.
How to Shift Bedtime to Enjoy Summer Evenings
Sleep isn’t a one-size-fits-all, so you’ll need to adjust and observe how your child responds. Here’s how to slowly shift bedtime:
Start by pushing bedtime by 15 minutes: Often, parents expect that a later bedtime will naturally result in a later wake-up time. However, this isn’t always the case. Some kids may wake up earlier when bedtime is pushed later. The goal is to maintain 11-12 hours of sleep, so track how your child reacts.
Monitor the shift: If your child is going to bed at 7:00 PM and waking between 6-7 AM, they’re getting the right amount of sleep. Now, try pushing bedtime to 7:15 PM for a few days and track what happens. Is your child still getting enough sleep? Pay close attention to their morning wake-up times and overall mood.
Continue adjusting bedtime gradually: If 7:15 PM works well, try moving bedtime to 7:30 PM after a few more days, always checking how your child is adjusting. Are they falling asleep easily? Are they waking up at a reasonable time in the morning?
If your child starts waking up earlier: This is a sign that a later bedtime isn’t working, and you may need to return to the original bedtime. You can continue to experiment with bedtime adjustments, but always make sure your child is getting the right amount of sleep.
Don’t Forget to Shift the Schedule Back Before School Starts
Once school starts, your child will need to adjust back to an earlier bedtime for optimal sleep during the school year. I suggest marking your calendar to begin shifting bedtime back to its regular schedule about two weeks before school starts. This will help your child’s body and brain adjust for the transition to school.
Back-to-School Sleep Tips
To help your child prepare for the back-to-school routine, here are some essential sleep tips to consider:
Start winding down earlier: Gradually adjust bedtime earlier by 15 minutes each day.
Revisit the bedtime routine: Make sure your child has a consistent and calming bedtime routine.
Limit screen time: Ensure that your child’s screen time ends at least one hour before bed to encourage better sleep quality.