Bedtime songs
The right bedtime song does two jobs at once: it tells a child the day is over, and it gives them something calm to fall asleep to. Here's how to use bedtime music well — and gentle songs you can play right now.
Play a bedtime song
Soft, slow and wordless — made for lights-out. Tap to listen:
Tip: In the Lullaby app, turn on Repeat to loop the song all night, or set the sleep timer to fade it out after your child drifts off.
Two kinds of bedtime songs
Most bedtime struggles with music come from mixing these up:
- Routine songs — the sing-along ones, with words and cuddles. They belong earlier: bath, pajamas, story. They're about connection, and they're allowed to be fun.
- Lights-out songs — slow, quiet, wordless. Their job is to be almost boring: a calm sound the mind can rest on, with nothing to sing along to and no reason to stay awake.
Sing whatever you love earlier in the evening — then hand over to a soft instrumental track at lights-out. Familiar classics work beautifully for the singing part; see our classic lullabies guide for the songs every parent half-remembers.
A simple music-anchored bedtime routine
- 1. Wind-down warning. Ten minutes before, lights lower, screens off.
- 2. The routine song. Sing or play something familiar during pajamas and teeth — same song, same order.
- 3. Story and cuddle. Quiet voice, dim room.
- 4. Lights-out song on. Start the same gentle track as you say goodnight. Over a week or two, this becomes the sound that ends the day — and the negotiations.
Consistency is the whole trick: the songs can be simple, but the order shouldn't change. For toddlers who want a say, offer a choice of two lights-out tracks — see lullabies for kids for more on that age.
The same song, every night
Free bedtime music. Repeat + sleep timer in Premium. No ads, ever.
Frequently asked
What makes a good bedtime song?
Slow, soft, repetitive. Its job is to wind a child down, not entertain — calm wordless music usually beats sing-along favorites at lights-out.
Should bedtime songs have lyrics?
Earlier in the routine, absolutely. At lights-out, wordless is easier to drift off to — nothing to listen for, nothing to join in with.
How long should the music play?
Fade it out 15–30 minutes after lights-out with a timer, or loop it quietly all night to help with resettling. Both approaches work.
What about babies?
The same logic, just softer — see lullabies for newborns and our baby sleep music guide.