Many children (and parents!) find bedtime to be one of the most difficult transitions of the day. While it might not seem like a big deal to us, we’re asking our children to stop everything, leave their own little world behind, and trust that everything will still be there in the morning. 

A stuffed animal won’t magically fix the disappointment bedtime brings, but it can often help make the process a little easier for everyone. 

Why do stuffed animals help at bedtime? 

Developmental psychologists have a term for beloved soft toys: transitional objects. They bridge the gap between the security of a parent or loved one and the child’s growing ability to settle independently. 

The weight, the texture, and the smell all matter. They activate the nervous system in ways that are genuinely calming, promoting restful and longer sleep stretches. A child who has a trusted companion at bedtime is often better equipped for the whole experience of settling to sleep.

Building a bedtime routine with a stuffed animal 

Every bedtime routine is different depending on the child and their preferences. However, here’s a foolproof example that may help you plan your own wind-down sessions: 

Check in with the stuffed animal

Before the official routine begins, check in with your child and ask which companions will be sleeping in their bed tonight. Make sure they’re easy to find and ready for bed, and that they don’t need anything before lights out. 

It may seem like a small thing to parents, but to a child, it shows they’re not alone and that they’re not missing out on playtime once they go to sleep. 

Wind down altogether

Whatever your current wind-down routine looks like, include the stuffed animal. If your child has a bath, the doll can wait on the towel. When they change into pyjamas, the companion can have theirs put on too. If you read a book, have the animal act out some of the words in a funny voice. 

Children who are resistant to parts of their bedtime routine when a parent asks are usually more willing when their stuffed animal is there for support. If the companion is excited to get into bed, the child may follow their lead. 

Read a bedtime story 

Make a big deal of your child choosing a book from their collection with their stuffed animal. Read it to them together, addressing the toy as much as your child. For example, ask the doll what they think will happen next. 

Saying goodnight

Children love ritual - the more specific, the better. A goodnight said to each stuffed animal by name, followed by a certain way of tucking everyone in bed. Choose a phrase to say at the end of each night that signals lights out. 

In Dinkum World, the last thing that happens every night is the same. Someone touches the rainbow. Closes their eyes. And the world goes quiet.

H2 Foster creativity with Dinkum World

Every character from the Dinkum World arrives with a name, a personality, and a backstory. We include these details as an invitation for owners to build upon: your own story that no one else can replicate. 

Touch the rainbow over a Dinkum's heart. Close your eyes. You're already there.

Explore the Dinkum family at dinkumdolls.com