Kids need a shocking amount of sleep—more than you probably think. The National Sleep Foundation recommends 9 to 11 hours for school-age kids, and 10 to 13 hours for preschoolers. Do the math backward from when they have to wake up, and you’ll find your target bedtime.
For example, if your six-year-old needs to be up at 7 a.m., bedtime lands somewhere between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Easy, right? Except it’s not, because your child might be a night owl disguised as a tiny human, and you’re stuck in a power struggle over a single extra episode of Bluey.
Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number (Mostly)
Babies? They’re on their own chaotic schedule—good luck. Toddlers (1-2 years) typically need bedtime between 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., because they’re basically adorable furry bombs that explode if overtired. Weirdly, putting them to bed earlier often makes them sleep better—counterintuitive, I know.
For kids aged 3 to 5, aim for 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.—they still need that early cushion. By age 6 to 12, you’re looking at 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., depending on how much homework or screen time they’ve conned you into. Teens? Good luck—their biology shifts, but 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. is ideal if you can pry the phone from their cold, living hands.
