Sleep Awareness Week 2026: Simple tips to help kids and parents sleep better

Tips to help kids fall asleep
Nordstrom, Ulta Beauty, Amazon, Adobe
ByBethany Braun-Silva
March 10, 2026, 12:10 PM

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.

Amazon

LittleHippo Mella: Kids Alarm Clock

A color-changing OK-to-Wake clock can signal when it’s time for sleep and when morning has arrived, which helps reduce those early wake-ups.
  • $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.

Ulta

NAKERY BEAUTY SkinRecovery Magnesium Sleep Aid Kit

Nakery Beauty SkinRecovery Magnesium Sleep Aid Kit can help you to relax before bed.
  • $49.00
  • Ulta
10% off
Amazon

Nodpod Bundle Weighted Blanket & Sleep Mask

Curling up under a weighted blanket for a few minutes can help you decompress and lower stimulation before you lower your head on the pillow.
  • $117.00
  • $130.00
  • 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.

Macy's

Yogasleep Hushh 2 Portable Sound Machine for Babies & Kids

Try s brown noise instead of white noise, which is deeper and less sharp. This portable version is great to take on the go.
  • $32.99
  • Macy's
Walmart

Hatch Baby Sleep Support

This sleep machine includes an app-connected real-time sleep consultant chat, sleep guides for baby milestones, lights and science-backed sounds for building healthy bedtime routines.
  • $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.

Wonderbly

You Are Extraordinary

This self-belief journal for kids helps them discover who they are, learn how to overcome obstacles, and unlock their potential.
  • $39.99
  • Wonderbly
Wonderbly

Bedtime For You

A personalized bedtime story can help calm kids' bedtime anxiety.
  • $39.99
  • Wonderbly

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