Bedtime Sensory & Toddler Storytime
Pajamas, teddy bears, and yawns, oh my! Choose two of the following bedtime-themed sensory storytime books and pair them with these songs, crafts, and sensory play ideas for more engagement and fun in your next Toddler or Sensory Storytime.
Visit The Youth Desk’s Sensory Storytime page for a complete sensory storytime overview and more detailed guidance.
Bedtime Toddler & Sensory Storytime Books
Bedtime Sensory Storytime Songs & Rhymes
Are You Sleeping with Bells
You can purchase fancy bell sets or DIY your own storytime set with pipe cleaners and jingle bells!
Are you sleeping, are you sleeping?
Brother John, brother John
Morning bells are ringing (ring bells)
Morning bells are ringing (ring bells)
Ding ding dong (ring bells)
Ding ding dong (ring bells)
Are you sleeping, are you sleeping?
Sister Sue, Sister Sue…
Five in the Bed
Put five critters of your choice on a flannel board bed and remove when appropriate or just countdown with your fingers!
Five in the bed and the little one said
“Roll over, roll over!”
So they all rolled over and one fell out!
Four…three…two…
One in the bed and the little one said
“Alone at last. Good night!”
Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
Put monkeys on a flannel board and remove when appropriate, or count down with your fingers!
5 little monkeys jumping on the bed
One fell off and bumped his head
Momma called the doctor and the doctor said
No more monkeys jumping on the bed
4…3…2…1
No little monkeys jumping on the bed
None fell off and bed their heads
Momma called the doctor and the doctor said
Put those monkeys back to bed!
I Wake My Hands
I wake my hands with a clap, clap, clap
A clap clap clap, a clap, clap, clap
I wake my hands with a clap, clap, clap
And I wiggle my waggles away
I wake my head with a nod, nod, nod…
I wake feet with a stomp, stomp, stomp…
I wake my eyes with a blink, blink, blink…
I wake my hips with a shake, shake, shake…
Teddy Bear Song with Puppets
Sing to the tune of “Row Your Boat” and provide stuffed animals or puppets if possible. These Melissa & Doug Animal Hand Puppets are my favorite when they’re on sale.
Hug, hug, hug your bear [or swap “bear” out for “friend”]
Squeeze him very tight
Hold him high
Help him fly
Then hug with all your might
Twinkle Twinkle
Twinkle twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are
Up above the world so high
Like a diamond in the sky
Twinkle twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are
Breathe by Stephanie Leavell
Play the song and encourage attendees to pretend to sleep or provide scarves for swaying to the calming beat. It’s relaxing for both kids and adults!
Breathe just breathe
Take a deep breath and just breathe
Raise your hands up high
Stretch your fingers to the sky
And breathe just breathe
Take a deep breath and just breathe
Bedtime Sensory Play & Craft Activities
Ending Sensory Storytime with free play provides children and their caregivers with an excellent opportunity to explore and socialize. Set out any puppets or flannel board pieces you used during storytime for attendees to enjoy, and offer one of these great bedtime-themed play activities.
Pajama Art
Provide a pajama coloring page printed on cardstock, dot markers, glue, and embellishments of your choice for kiddos to design the pajamas of their dreams. Try the Pajama Toss Game from Toddler Approved, too!
Night Sky Art
Provide black construction paper, star stickers, and chalk. No need to make constellations; just let the kids create night skies however they see fit. Foam star stickers or cardstock stars with glue also work great!
The Napping House Coloring Pages
Download and print The Napping House coloring pages from the Activities section at AudreyWood.com.
