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Christian Goodnight

A free guide for families · About 15 minutes

A simple Christian bedtime routine for your family.

A little gratitude. A story to share. A prayer before goodnight. Make space for faith and connection in a way that fits your evening.

Use tonight’s checklist

No sign-up needed. The timings are a guide, not a target.

Start after the practical things. Once pajamas, teeth, and other evening needs are taken care of, choose a comfortable spot together. Use the same five moments when they suit your family, or shorten them. You don’t have to get through every step to share a meaningful goodnight.

An evening you can make your own

Your 15-minute bedtime routine

Read it together, change the words, and leave room for whatever your child wants to share.

  1. Settle in together

    About 3 minutes

    Put away the day’s activities and choose what feels comfortable: sitting side by side, holding a favorite toy, or having a little space. Invite your child into this shared moment without asking them to feel a certain way.

    Try saying “We’re here together. Is there anything you’d like me to know about today?”

  2. Find one thank-you

    About 2 minutes

    Take turns naming one thing you appreciated: a person, a meal, a funny moment, or something you noticed outside. If it was a difficult day, you can acknowledge that too. Gratitude doesn’t need to erase hard feelings.

    Try saying “I’m thankful we had a little time together. What would you like to thank God for?”

  3. Share a story

    About 5 minutes

    Read a short, age-appropriate Bible story or a Christian story about kindness, courage, or forgiveness. A familiar favorite is welcome. Choose one gentle question afterward; there’s no need to turn the story into a quiz.

    Try asking “Where did you notice someone showing love in that story?”

    Parents: explore Christian bedtime stories

  4. Say a little prayer

    About 3 minutes

    Offer a thank-you, name someone you care about, and bring any worries to God. Your child can speak, listen, or join in with “Amen.” Use your family’s familiar prayers or the short original prayer below.

    Dear God, thank you for being with us today. Thank you for the people who care for us. Help us bring you our worries and share your kindness tomorrow. Be with our family as we rest tonight. Amen.

  5. Finish with a blessing

    About 2 minutes

    Close with words your child can recognize each evening. Offer a hug if they want one, or simply sit nearby as you say goodnight. Let this last moment be simple.

    A goodnight blessing “May God’s love be with you tonight and tomorrow. You are loved. Goodnight.”

Keep it close, on screen or on paper

Tonight’s little checklist

Tick off your moments together, or print a fresh copy for your bedside.

Christian Goodnight

Our goodnight routine

Five little moments. About 15 minutes. Make it your own.

A prayer for tonight

Dear God, thank you for being with us today. Thank you for the people who care for us. Help us bring you our worries and share your kindness tomorrow. Be with our family as we rest tonight. Amen.

May God’s love be with you tonight and tomorrow. You are loved. Goodnight.

A free family resource from christiangoodnight.com/bedtime-routine

There’s room for your real life

A routine that fits your family

For younger children

Use a picture story, one thank-you, and a prayer of just a sentence or two. Let pointing to a picture or cuddling a toy be part of joining in.

For older children

Let them choose the story, ask their own questions, or lead a prayer. Give them room to keep some thoughts private.

For siblings together

Take turns choosing the story and sharing gratitude. End with a short, individual goodnight so each child has a moment with you.

For different sensory needs

Adjust the light, sound, and closeness to your child’s preferences. Offer spoken words, pictures, or quiet listening, and let them decline touch.

For a very full evening

Try the three-minute version: one thank-you, one short prayer, and a blessing. Return to the longer routine another night.

For your faith tradition

Include a familiar prayer or blessing from your church or family. If you observe a saint’s day or Christian holiday, choose a story that connects with it.

Something for earlier in the evening

Make a little room for creativity.

Choose a ready-made Christian coloring sheet to enjoy together before your bedtime routine. Simple black outlines, ready to print and color.

Explore coloring pages

A few things parents ask

Bedtime routine questions

How do I start a Christian bedtime routine?

Begin with something small you can share tonight: a thank-you, a short story, or a prayer. This guide gives you five moments to try, but you can add them gradually and choose words that feel natural to your family.

Does the routine have to take exactly 15 minutes?

No. The timings simply show one way to spend the evening together. Shorten the story, spend longer listening, or use only a prayer and blessing. There’s no timer or completion target you need to meet.

What if my child doesn’t want to pray out loud?

They can listen, say “Amen,” or choose not to join in. You can offer a brief prayer yourself and leave the invitation open. Shared time doesn’t have to depend on speaking.

What prayer can we say at bedtime?

Try: “Dear God, thank you for today. Be with the people we love. Help us share your kindness tomorrow. Amen.” You can also use the longer original prayer in the checklist or a prayer your family already knows.

Can I print this checklist without an account?

Yes. Use “Print the checklist” or your browser’s Print option to print the checklist on Letter or A4 paper. You can also choose your browser’s “Save as PDF” option. No account is needed for this guide.

Can we do this without a screen?

Yes. Print the checklist and use a book you already own, tell a familiar story in your own words, or share a memory of someone showing kindness. The routine works with the resources you have.

For parents and caregivers

Find a story for your next goodnight.

Explore faith-filled stories to share during your family’s bedtime routine.

Explore bedtime stories