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Everyday English · An evening at home: getting ready for bed, settling in with a story and going to sleep.

Bedtime Routine: 14 Everyday English Words

Learn bedtime words such as routine, pyjamas, toothpaste, blanket and night light, then tell the steps of a calm evening in simple English.

Suggested Grades 3–514 everyday words9 light-review questions
Learning objectiveRecognise everyday bedtime words, tell the steps of an evening routine in order, and describe in two or three sentences what you do before you sleep.

What to do

Many families have a bedtime routine. It is a set of steps done in the same order each night, so the body knows that sleep is coming. In the dark days of November, the evening can feel long, and a calm routine helps.

A routine often begins with a warm bath and a towel. Then you put on your pyjamas and brush your teeth with toothpaste. Many children read or hear a bedtime story, and a parent may turn off the big light.

In bed, a blanket and a pillow help you feel cosy. Some children keep a night light on in the hall. You may yawn, close your eyes and fall asleep.

This is a general picture, not a rule for every home. Families have different bedtimes and different steps. You do not need to memorise every word today. You will meet them again in other lessons.

Core everyday words

bedtime

noun · BED-tighm

the time when you go to bed

Example: Our bedtime is eight o’clock on school nights.

routine

noun · roo-TEEN

the same steps done in the same order each day

Example: A bedtime routine helps me feel calm.

pyjamas

noun plural · puh-JAH-muz

soft, loose clothes that you wear to sleep

Example: I put on my pyjamas after my bath.

brush your teeth

verb phrase · bruhsh yor teeth

to clean your teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste

Example: Brush your teeth for two minutes.

toothpaste

noun · TOOTH-payst

a soft paste you put on a toothbrush to clean teeth

Example: I only need a small dab of toothpaste.

bath

noun · bath

a wash in a tub of water

Example: I have a warm bath before bed.

towel

noun · TOW-ul

a soft cloth for drying your body

Example: Hang your towel on the hook.

bedtime story

noun phrase · BED-tighm STOR-ee

a book that someone reads to you before you sleep

Example: Dad reads me a bedtime story.

blanket

noun · BLANG-kit

a thick cover that keeps you warm in bed

Example: I pulled the blanket up to my chin.

pillow

noun · PIL-oh

a soft cushion for your head

Example: My pillow is soft and cool.

night light

noun phrase · nighyt lighyt

a small, dim light that stays on in the dark

Example: The night light glows in the hall.

turn off

phrasal verb · turn awf

to stop a light or machine so it is no longer on

Example: Please turn off the light.

yawn

verb · yawn

to open your mouth wide and breathe in when you are tired

Example: I yawn when I am sleepy.

fall asleep

verb phrase · fawl uh-SLEEP

to begin to sleep

Example: I fall asleep quickly after a story.

Recognise the word

Recognise the word

Choose the meaning of the word.

Multiple choice

1. What is a bedtime routine?

  1. a loud game played in the yard
  2. a book about animals
  3. the same steps you do in the same order before bed
  4. a bed made of soft cushions
Multiple choice

2. What are pyjamas?

  1. soft, loose clothes for sleeping
  2. boots for walking in snow
  3. a thick cover for your bed
  4. a cloth for drying your hands
Multiple choice

3. What do you do with toothpaste?

  1. use it to dry your hair
  2. spread it on your toast
  3. wrap it around your pillow
  4. put it on a toothbrush to clean your teeth
Multiple choice

4. What is a towel for?

  1. keeping your feet warm in bed
  2. drying your body after a bath
  3. holding your toothbrush
  4. lighting a dark hall
Multiple choice

5. What is a night light?

  1. a lamp for reading in the daytime
  2. a clock that rings at night
  3. a small light that stays on in the dark
  4. a flashlight for the park
Multiple choice

6. What does a blanket do?

  1. cleans your teeth
  2. tells you the time
  3. dries your hair
  4. keeps you warm in bed

Use the word in a situation

Use the word in a situation

Pick the word that fits the sentence.

Fill in the word

7. “Please ___ the light and close your eyes.”

  1. tidy up
  2. turn off
  3. wake up
  4. brush
Fill in the word

8. “I always ___ when I am very tired.”

  1. floss
  2. snore
  3. tuck
  4. yawn
Fill in the word

9. “After a bedtime story, I ___ in a few minutes.”

  1. fall asleep
  2. pack my bag
  3. wash up
  4. lay out

Quick-check answers

  1. 1. the same steps you do in the same order before bed
    A routine is a set of steps done in the same order. A game, a book and a bed are not a set of steps.
  2. 2. soft, loose clothes for sleeping
    Pyjamas are what you wear in bed. Boots, a blanket and a towel are different things.
  3. 3. put it on a toothbrush to clean your teeth
    Toothpaste goes on a toothbrush. Hair, toast and pillows do not need it.
  4. 4. drying your body after a bath
    A towel dries you. A blanket warms you, a cup holds a brush, and a night light gives light.
  5. 5. a small light that stays on in the dark
    A night light is small and dim so a room is not completely dark. A clock rings; it does not light the room.
  6. 6. keeps you warm in bed
    A blanket is a warm cover.
  7. 7. turn off
    Turn off means to stop a light. Tidy up, wake up and brush do not fit with a light.
  8. 8. yawn
    Yawn is the wide breath you take when you feel tired. You snore only when you are asleep.
  9. 9. fall asleep
    Fall asleep means to begin to sleep. The other choices are things you do while awake.

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