Bedtime Songs for Toddlers and Babies: Lullabies, Lyrics and a Simple Bedtime Routine
By David Choi · Updated September 25, 2026
Bedtime songs for toddlers do two jobs at once. They calm a busy little body, and, sung at the same point every night, they tell your child that sleep is coming. That is why so many families end the day with the same lullaby for years.
Here are our gentlest bedtime songs for toddlers and babies, each with full lyrics you can sing along to, plus a simple bedtime routine that puts them to work.
The best bedtime songs for toddlers
Good bedtime songs for toddlers are short, slow and easy to learn, with words about sleeping, the moon and the stars. Toddlers love to join in on a line they know.
Let's Go to Sleep
Our simplest goodnight song: “Let’s go to sleep, let’s close our eyes and go drifting away… I love you so much and goodnight.” Most toddlers can sing the first line after a few nights.
Watch the video and see the lyrics →
It's Time to Go to Sleep
A bedtime song that doubles as a checklist: put away your things, put your pillow under your head, close your eyes and dream about the moon and the stars.
Watch the video and see the lyrics →
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
The classic every toddler knows. Short, gentle and perfect as the final song of the night.
Watch the video and see the lyrics →
Mary Had a Little Lamb
A soft, familiar nursery rhyme, including the lesser-known verse about why the lamb loves Mary so.
Watch the video and see the lyrics →Lullabies for babies to go to sleep
Babies do not need to understand the words. What soothes them is a soft voice, a slow rhythm and a melody they hear again and again. These lullabies for babies are our calmest songs.
Hush Little Baby
The traditional lullaby “Hush, Little Baby, don’t say a word,” sung slowly and softly.
Watch the video and see the lyrics →
Lullaby (Piano Version)
Gentle solo piano with no words, for babies who fall asleep best to music alone.
Watch the video and see the lyrics →
Baby Sleep Music
A 32-minute baby sleep mix that gets softer as it goes, ending with piano and white noise.
Watch the video and see the lyrics →
Nursery Rhyme Lullaby for Babies
About 1 hour of lullabies and nursery rhymes for babies, from sung songs to quiet piano.
Watch the video and see the lyrics →A simple bedtime routine for toddlers (with music)
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a short, predictable nightly routine it calls “Brush, Book, Bed.” A bedtime song fits right at the end. Here is a simple toddler bedtime routine that many families use:
- Bath or wash-up. Warm water helps children relax.
- Pajamas on.
- Brush teeth.
- Read one short book together.
- Sing one or two bedtime songs, the same ones every night.
- Lights out with a hug and the same goodnight words.
Keep the whole routine short (around 20 to 30 minutes) and in the same order every night. The order matters more than the details: when each step always leads to the next, your toddler knows what comes next and has less to argue about.
Bedtime routine for a 2-year-old or 3-year-old
Two- and three-year-olds want some control. A few small tricks help bedtime go more smoothly:
- Offer a small choice: “Twinkle Twinkle or Let’s Go to Sleep tonight?” Choosing the song makes them part of the routine.
- Make a bedtime routine chart with a picture for each step, including one for the bedtime song.
- Let them do the actions: turning off the light, tucking in a stuffed animal, or singing the last line.
- Keep the last song the same every night, so it always means “sleep is next.”
Using bedtime songs without screens
Pediatric experts recommend keeping screens out of the bedtime routine, because bright, moving pictures can make it harder for children to settle. You can still use our songs:
- Play the song as audio only. Turn the screen face down or put the device across the room.
- Learn the words and sing it yourself. Every song page has the full lyrics, and your voice is more soothing than any recording.
- Watch the video earlier in the day, so your child knows the song, then sing it at bedtime.
Looking for more quiet music for the rest of the day? See our list of calming music for kids, with piano songs for quiet time and the classroom.
Frequently asked questions
What songs help babies sleep?
Soft lullabies with a slow rhythm and a repeated melody help babies sleep best, such as “Hush, Little Baby,” “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and gentle piano music. Singing the same lullaby every night helps your baby link that song with sleep.
Does music help toddlers sleep?
Music can help toddlers wind down, especially as part of a regular bedtime routine. Use the same one or two quiet songs every night, keep the volume low, and play them as audio rather than as a video.
What is a good bedtime routine for toddlers?
A good bedtime routine for toddlers is short, calm and in the same order every night. For example: bath, pajamas, brush teeth, one book, one or two bedtime songs, then lights out. The American Academy of Pediatrics sums it up as “Brush, Book, Bed.”
Is it better to sing a lullaby or play a recording?
Both work. Your own voice is the most comforting sound for your child, even if you do not think you can sing. A recording helps when you are learning a new song or when someone else is putting your child to bed.
Where can I find the lyrics to bedtime songs?
Every song page on Good Kids Company shows the full lyrics, including “Let’s Go to Sleep,” “It’s Time to Go to Sleep,” “Hush Little Baby” and “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.”
Sources
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