Tips to get kids to sleep on Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is a magical time for children, but all the excitement, anticipation and the break from normal routine can leave them restless and can make getting to sleep very difficult. Try these five tips for helping your little ones to sleep, so that Father Christmas can deliver their presents on time!
Get active in the day
If it is possible in your area, going out and getting some fresh air during the day can help with sleep at night as we naturally expend more energy while outdoors, which is a great way to tire kids out. Fresh air also helps our bodies create more serotonin, which makes us feel happy and relaxed. So if you're able to, head out for a family walk in the park, or walk around your local area to look at the Christmas decorations.
If you can't get outdoors on Christmas Eve why not play indoor Christmas games, or plan a treasure hunt around the house as this will also help tire out the little ones during the day.
Watch the sugar
We all know that Christmas is a time for indulgence, but too much sugar can have a negative effect on sleep. Set a cut off time a few hours before bed and make sure they don't eat any sweet treats after this point. You might be taking a break from normal rules over Christmas, but it's best to still keep some boundaries in place, for the sake of a decent night's sleep!
Stick to routine
As much as possible, try to maintain some elements of your normal evening routine, even if it's happening later than usual. Talk to your little ones about what's going to be different, and what will stay the same so they know what to expect, and try to get back to normality as soon as possible after the festive season has ended.
Bedtime distractions
If your child's mind is whirring with excitement and they're really struggling to switch off at bedtime, then listening to an audiobook, podcast or some relaxing music in bed might help. If they are focusing their mind on what they're listening to, rather than lying there worrying about falling asleep before Father Christmas arrives, then they're much more likely to nod off at a reasonable time.
CBeebies Radio has lots of podcasts to help your little one wind down, and you can even listen to stories from your CBeebies friends on your smart speaker.
Take time to relax
The whole family could probably benefit from taking some time to chill out together on Christmas Eve, so have a set amount of time where you put away screens and try some simple relaxation techniques. Even just ten minutes can help you feel refreshed and ready to take on the next task, and can help children to calm down, ready for a calm and cosy night's sleep.