Sleep reward charts: do sticker charts help kids go to bed?
How to set up a simple sticker chart for bedtimes, what goal to choose and how to keep it positive.
By Best Sleep Trackers · Updated October 18, 2026
Young children respond to visible progress. The sleep reward chart makes a printable 5- or 7-night sticker chart with a theme your child chooses.
Choosing a goal
One goal is plenty. Good examples:
- Stay in bed until morning.
- Lights out on time.
- Start the routine without a fuss.
Make it something your child can do. If they need help, they still earn the sticker.
Keeping it positive
- Give the sticker in the morning, straight away.
- Agree the reward before you start (a trip to the park, an extra story).
- Skip penalties. Missing a sticker is enough.
- Celebrate the effort, not just the result.
Pair it with a routine and the right bedtime
A chart works best on top of a steady bedtime routine and a bedtime that fits your child’s age. Check the kids bedtime calculator, and the hours that match recommendations (AASM, 2016). Make the countdown fun with the bedtime countdown.
If bedtimes are a constant struggle, or you worry about your child’s sleep, ask your pediatrician.
Sources
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General information only. This tool gives general sleep information and is not a substitute for medical advice. If you're worried about your sleep or your child's, talk to a doctor or pediatrician.