Making Routines Fun…well it’s worth a try!

Let’s be honest, life with little ones is a beautiful mix of cuddles, chaos, and wondering how brushing two centimetres of teeth can possibly take twenty.....entire...... minutes. Routines are meant to make things easier… except toddlers didn’t get that memo!

The good news? With a bit of playfulness (and the patience of a saint), even the trickiest routines can become moments you actually look forward to. Yes, really....well..... sometimes!

Here’s how you might be able to sprinkle a little fun into the everyday.

Morning Wake-Ups: The Floor Is Lava

If your child wakes up like a sleepy sloth who has absolutely no interest in leaving bed, try turning the first step of the day into a game.

• Wake-Up Animals: “Are we waking up like a lion or a kitten today?”

• Beat the Clock: Set a 30-second timer for getting out of bed. Hype it up like they’re on a TV game show.

A sprinkle of silliness goes a long way when you’re trying to locate a sock at 7 a.m.

Teeth Brushing: The Epic Battle of Plaque vs. Super Kid

Children aren’t brushing; they’re defeating the sugar bugs. That’s the story, and we’re sticking to it!

Try:

• A toothbrushing song that lasts two minutes

• A “sugar bug hunt”..... “I see one on your back molar! Quick, attack!”

If all else fails, let them brush your teeth for ten seconds first. They’ll cackle with glee, and then, while they're in a cooperative mood, you strike.

Getting Dressed: Fashion Show Time

Instead of the daily drama of “I don’t WANT to wear trousers!” turn it into a catwalk moment.

• Outfit Judge: Hold up two outfits and give them the power to choose. Toddlers love power; it fuels them.

• Fashion Show Walk: Once dressed, they strut to the kitchen while you clap dramatically like you’re front row at a Paris runway show. “Yes! The Paw Patrol T-shirt paired with wellies.....gorgeous.”

Mealtime: Restaurant Role-Play

Meals can be tricky—especially if peas are involved. But bring in a bit of restaurant role-play and suddenly dinner feels fancy.

Try:

• “Hello sir/madam, welcome to Café Kitchen! Today’s special is… the exact same pasta as yesterday!”

• Let them be the waiter and serve you water. They will take this new power very seriously.

Bonus: they might actually sit for more than 30 seconds.

Bath Time: The Spa (or Pirate Ship) Experience

Bath time is ripe for imagination.

• If they love water: “We’re washing the sharks off you.....hold still!”

• If they’re not keen: “Welcome to the Baby Spa, today’s treatment includes a warm soak and gentle bubble massage.”

Add cups, spoons, or a whisk and suddenly you have ten peaceful minutes. This is a favourite in our house, so is washing the dolls.

Bedtime: Calm the Farm

The last stretch of the day can feel like herding cats into pyjamas. Sleepy cats. Dramatic cats. Cats who want water.

Try:

• A bedtime countdown: “10 minutes until lights out! What shall we fit in?”

• Let them choose the bedtime story or even help tell it (“And then what did the dinosaur do?”). We love 'story dreams' too, create a story that involves them around a theme of their choice that they can dream about when they go to sleep (great for little ones that have night time worries).

• Finish with a nursery rhyme. They start to know this shared song time is the end of the day and wind down to sleep. My son has been doing this since he moved into his own room at 6 months old and at 4 and a half shows no sign of wanting to drop this from his routine. It really helps him to settle, and we always finish with the same song.

The goal: slow things down, add predictability, and end with a giggle rather than a negotiation worthy of international diplomacy.

A Little Fun Goes a Long Way

Turning routines into playful moments doesn’t mean every day becomes a dream. It simply means leaning into the magic that children naturally bring, and using it to make life smoother, lighter, and a little more sparkly. Even if it only works occasionally it is worth a try, right?