5 Playful Ways to Get a Toddler into Pyjamas

Getting a toddler ready for bed can be full of battles. Not wanting to take a bath, then not wanting to get out of the bath, clamping their mouth shut for the toothbrush, and finally either not getting into bed in the first place, or finding twenty reasons to get out again. But sometimes actually getting a toddler into pyjamas gets overlooked.

Sure, sometimes it might be easy, they’re cold from getting out of the bath, so naturally pyjamas make sense. But not always! Sometimes you can barely get them dry before they’re charging off, or you’re wrestling to get a t-shirt on, just for it to be pulled back off again.

The evening can be a testing time. You may have already had a whole day of power struggles with your little one, and now everyone’s tired and patience is wearing thin.

So, here are five pyjama games which are quick, need almost no prep, and can be pulled out mid-stall. It’s a way to carry out the bedtime routine with a bit of fun and connection before bed.

1. Pyjama Hunt

Find a simple hiding spot for the pyjamas and draw a clue for your toddler. It can be as simple as drawing a pillow or a bookshelf.

Quick version: Pretend to take a call: “Oh no, the pyjamas need rescuing before the sleepy elephant comes and stretches them, or the dragon comes and burns a hole in them, or the penguin makes them all wet.” – You get the idea! Once they’re found: “Quick! Get them on before they come!”

Slower version: Include more clues, or really get into the role of detective with a magnifying glass (it doesn’t have to be a real one, an imaginary one or even something like a toothbrush will do!). Add a song: “We’re going on a pyjama hunt, we’re going to put them on!” and discuss the clues you might find on the way: “Hmm, here is a bit of thread on the floor, it must be this way…” Once they’re found, you could have a set of instructions on another piece of paper (either another drawing or just some wiggly lines to look like writing): “It says there’s a storm coming, the protective clothing needs to be put on!”

2. Pyjama Race Against the Song

Pick one short song and ask, “Can you get your pyjama top on before the song ends?” Aim for a tie or a narrow win for them, and cheer loudly at the end. You could pretend to race them by putting your own pyjamas on, but getting it completely wrong by putting trousers on your head and so on, which lets them be the one who knows how it’s done.

Tip: keep the song to 30 to 60 seconds so it feels exciting rather than rushed.

3. Pyjama Checkpoints

Set out a trail of markers (sticky notes or small toys work well), with each one a checkpoint:

• Checkpoint 1: trousers come off
• Checkpoint 2: t-shirt comes off
• Checkpoint 3: pyjama bottoms go on
• Checkpoint 4: pyjama top goes on
• Finish line: a sticker, a cuddle, a milk, or whatever fits your bedtime routine

4. Tunnel Time

Hold the pyjama top open like a tunnel. Their head is a train that goes through, and their arms follow one by one (“Choo choo… out comes the first arm!”). Repeat with the trousers, with feet going down the tunnel.

Each body part that comes out could be greeted with something fun: the head might get a kiss, a raspberry on the cheek or pulling a silly face. The hands might get a high-five or a wave, and the feet could get a “foot-five” or do a crash-landing stomp on the floor.

Tip: this one suits younger toddlers who struggle with the mechanics of dressing.

5. Pyjama Parade

Announce a very important pyjama parade. Once the pyjamas are on, your toddler marches to the bedroom while you play the audience, clapping and cheering as they arrive. You could also line some toys up in the bedroom to watch the parade end and get ready for the bedtime story.

Once my little one has decided they don’t want to do something, no amount of asking or over-explaining ever helps. It just leaves me more frustrated and feeling like I’m fighting a losing battle. That’s the whole reason I created Toddler Tasks: games lift the mood, let me savour the moments everyone tells me will be over before I know it, and usually get the task done too.

More bedtime games

Getting a toddler into pyjamas is just one part of the bedtime routine. If other steps are a struggle too, try these bath games, toothbrushing games and bed games.

If you’d like these games in the morning too…

If getting out of pyjamas is a struggle as well, my free Morning Starter Kit has a game for each step of the morning routine including getting dressed, eating breakfast, leaving the house and getting into the car or pushchair.