Sleep Awareness Week 2026: Simple tips to help kids and parents sleep better
As Sleep Awareness Week (March 8–14) shines a spotlight on the importance of rest, many families are realizing just how hard quality sleep can be to come by.
Amid busy schedules, late-night scrolling and kids who suddenly get a burst of energy right at bedtime, winding down can feel like a nightly challenge.
The good news: a few small shifts, both in your bedtime habits and your sleep environment, can make a big difference.
Keep reading for tips and products to help your kids (and you) get some much needed rest.
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Try a 'reverse bedtime' reset
One unexpected tip for parents is the “reverse bedtime” reset. When kids seem wired at night, it may actually be a sign they’re overtired. Moving bedtime earlier by 20 to 30 minutes for a few nights can help reset their internal clock and prevent that second wind.
LittleHippo Mella: Kids Alarm Clock
- $49.99
- Amazon
Banish revenge bedtime procrastination
For parents, swapping late-night screen time for a simple 10-minute wind-down ritual, like reading under a soft lamp or using calming magnesium lotion, can help signal to your brain that it’s time to rest.
NAKERY BEAUTY SkinRecovery Magnesium Sleep Aid Kit
- $49
- Ulta
Nodpod Bundle Weighted Blanket & Sleep Mask
- $117
- $130
- Amazon
Upgrade your sleep hygiene
Sleep experts also say your bedroom environment plays a huge role in how well you sleep. Lowering the room temperature slightly, adding blackout curtains and using calming sound machines can sometimes support deeper sleep cycles.
Yogasleep Hushh 2 Portable Sound Machine for Babies & Kids
- $32.99
- Macy's
Hatch Baby Sleep Support
- $99.99
- Walmart
Try a 'worry download' for kids
Before bed, have your child write or draw one worry and then place it inside a special bedtime book or journal that lives on their nightstand.
The idea is that the worry has a place to go, instead of spinning in their mind while they’re trying to fall asleep.
You Are Extraordinary
- $39.99
- Wonderbly
Bedtime For You
- $39.99
- Wonderbly
