Free tool
Bedtime routine chart maker
Pick the bedtime steps, put them in order and give each one a duration: the tool counts back from lights-out to time each step and makes a picture chart you can print.
Free, no sign-up. What you enter stays in your browser: nothing is sent to Maliah.
Why a bedtime routine
A routine is a series of steps that come back every evening, in the same order. Naître et grandir and the INSPQ guide From Tiny Tot to Toddler explain that repeating the same steps night after night helps a child recognize that bedtime is coming and get ready for sleep. What goes into the routine is up to you: bath or no bath, one story or two, a song, a cuddle.
How to use the tool
- Enter the time you want the lights to go out.
- Add the steps of your routine and put them in order with the arrows.
- Give each step a duration: the suggested durations are only a starting point.
- Add a step of your own if you like, such as “Water the plant” or “Say goodnight to the cat”.
The tool starts from lights-out and counts back: you see when to start and the time of each step.
A chart to put on the wall
The printed chart shows a picture and a time for each step, in big type. Little ones who can’t read yet follow the pictures; older kids like to point to or tick off the next step. Stick it near the bathroom or in the bedroom, at their height.
A few ideas
- Keep the same order, whichever parent or caregiver is doing bedtime.
- Let your child choose one small thing: the pyjamas, the story, the song.
- When a step changes, make a new chart together.
Bedtime, as a team or with the babysitter
In Maliah, the evening routine is the same for everyone who looks after your child: your partner, grandma or the babysitter with babysitting access. Everyone logs sleep by voice (“Léa is asleep”), the time is saved, and the weekly recap shows how bedtimes went.
Frequently asked questions
Why have a bedtime routine?
Repeating the same steps in the same order every evening helps a child recognize that bedtime is coming, according to Naître et grandir and the INSPQ.
Which steps should the routine include?
Whatever works for your family: bath, pyjamas, brushing teeth, a story, a song, a cuddle, the night light. You can add your own steps too.
What bedtime should I choose?
The tool doesn’t suggest a time: you enter the one that suits your child and your family. For a question about your child’s sleep, talk to your health professional or call Info-Santé 811.
How long should each step take?
The suggested durations are only a starting point. Adjust them to what really happens at your place.
Is my routine sent anywhere?
No. It stays in your browser, on this device, so you can change it and print it again.
Sources : Naître et grandir : l’importance de la routine du dodo · Naître et grandir : l’importance des routines chez l’enfant · INSPQ, Mieux vivre avec notre enfant : la routine du coucher
This tool is for information only; it does not replace advice from a health professional or an official body. If you have a health concern, call Info-Santé 811. In an emergency, dial 911. Updated October 24, 2026.