Bedtime Baby Storytime
Choose one of the following bedtime-themed baby storytime books, then pair it with a few of these songs and playtime ideas for more engagement and fun in your next Baby Storytime. I recommend repeating many of your rhymes and movement songs each week (repetition is key for cognitive development), but sprinkle in new thematic songs and activities, such as those below, to keep things fresh and exciting. Visit The Youth Desk’s Baby Storytime page for more detailed guidance and outlines.
Bedtime Baby Storytime Books
Bedtime Baby Storytime Songs & Rhymes
Here are my favorite bedtime-themed movement songs and rhymes for babies:
Are You Sleeping? with Bells
Pass out bells for caregivers to jingle or simply rock baby side to side.
Are you sleeping, are you sleeping?
Brother John? Brother John?
Morning bells are ringing, morning bells are ringing,
Ding ding dong, ding ding dong.
Baby Hop
Snuggle up together baby’s in your lap (hug baby)
Snuggle up together and clap, clap, clap (hug baby then clap)
Snuggle up together, baby don’t you nap (hug)
Snuggle up together and tap, tap, tap (hug baby then tap baby’s feet together)
We’re working out together, baby don’t you stop (move baby’s arms)
We’re working out together now hop, hop, hop (bounce baby up and down)
(Credit: StoryBlocks)
Dance Your Fingers or Scarves
If you have scarves, simply replace “fingers” with “scarves.”
Dance your fingers up (lift baby’s hands up high OR tickle baby’s head)
Dance your fingers down (move baby’s hands low OR tickle baby’s toes)
Dance your fingers side to side (move baby’s hands to the side OR tickle baby’s side)
Dance them all around (move baby’s hands in a circle OR tickle them all over)
Dance them on your shoulders (put baby’s hands on their shoulders OR tickle their shoulders)
Dance them on your head (put baby’s hands on their head OR tickle the top of baby’s head)
Dance them on your tummy (put baby’s hands on their tummy OR tickle baby’s tummy)
And put them all to bed (snuggle baby)
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 (gently pat baby’s head)
Momma called the doctor, and the doctor said
No more monkeys jumping on the bed (shake finger)
4…3…2…1
No little monkeys jumping on the bed
None fell off and bumped their heads
Momma called the doctor, and the doctor said
Put those monkeys back to bed!
Hush Little Baby
Sway baby to the beat and bring out animal puppets, such as a bird, goat, cow, and dog, if you have them.
Hush little baby, don’t say a word,
Papa’s gonna buy you a mockingbird.
And if that mockingbird won’t sing,
Papa’s gonna buy you a diamond ring.
And if that diamond ring turns to brass,
Papa’s gonna buy you a looking glass.
And if that looking glass gets broke,
Papa’s gonna buy you a billy goat.
And if that billy goat won’t pull,
Papa’s gonna buy you a cart and bull.
And if that cart and bull turn over,
Papa’s gonna buy you a dog named Rover.
And if that dog named Rover won’t bark,
Papa’s gonna buy you a horse and cart.
And if that horse and cart fall down,
You’ll still be the sweetest little baby in town!
(Credit: Mother Goose via Poetry Foundation)
Put Your Puppet On Your Heart with Animal Puppets
Sing to the tune “If You’re Happy & You Know It.” Distribute animal puppets, bean bags, or whatever props you have.
Put your puppet on your heart, on your heart (put puppet on baby’s heart)
Put your puppet on your heart, on your heart
Put your puppet on your heart,
What a lovely way to start!
Puppet your puppet on your heart, on your heart
Put your puppet on your knee…You’ll both be filled with glee…
Put your puppet on your toes…Now move it to your nose…
Put your puppet on your head…put your puppet straight to bed…
Rock-a-Bye Baby
Rock baby as you sing.
Rock-a-bye baby, in the treetops
When the wind blows, the cradle will rock
When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall
And down will come baby, cradle and all.
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Twinkle twinkle little star (open & close your hands)
How I wonder what you are (open & close your hands)
Up above the world so high (lift baby’s hands high or lift your hands high)
Like a diamond in the sky (form a diamond with your hands)
Twinkle Twinkle little star (open & close your hands)
How I wonder what you are (open & close your hands)
Bedtime Baby Playtime Activities
Ending storytime with free play is an excellent way for babies and caregivers to socialize and observe others. You don’t need anything fancy. Setting out puppets, blocks, musical instruments, or bean bags will suffice, but here are some bedtime-themed ideas for even more fun.
Star Sensory Bean Bags
Caregivers can talk with little ones about colors, shapes, and textures using these Sensory Star Bean Bags. Babies love squeezing and tossing them, too.
Star Light Boxes
Poke holes in a box with scissors and push string lightbulbs through for a magical starry sky your little ones will love!
