As a mom who’s spent countless nights trying to get my daughter to sleep, I know firsthand how challenging bedtime can be. My little one’s mind always seems to race with ideas and questions just when it’s time to wind down. If you’re nodding in agreement, you’re not alone! Many children struggle with falling asleep, staying asleep, or establishing healthy sleep patterns.
Quality sleep is crucial for children’s development, affecting everything from mood and behavior to learning abilities and immune function. That’s where sleep apps come in – they’ve been a game-changer in our household. These digital tools offer soothing stories, calming sounds, and guided meditations specifically designed to help kids relax and drift off to dreamland.
I’ve tested numerous sleep apps with my daughter, and I’m excited to share the ones that truly work. Let’s explore the 8 best sleep apps for kids that can transform bedtime battles into peaceful nights – starting tonight!
Creating a peaceful bedtime routine with sleep apps can help children fall asleep faster and sleep better
1. Moshi – The Sleep Mindfulness App for Kids
Moshi is an award-winning, audio-only app that has scientifically proven results for helping children fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. In a study conducted by researchers at New York University, children using Moshi fell asleep 28 minutes earlier and slept 22 minutes longer on average.
What makes Moshi special is its enchanting world of cute Moshling characters and celebrity-narrated sleep stories. My daughter absolutely loves “Goldie The Mindful Moshling” narrated by Goldie Hawn and “Patrick the Performing Moshling” narrated by Sir Patrick Stewart. The soothing voices combined with gentle music create the perfect sleep-inducing atmosphere.
Pros
- Scientifically proven to improve sleep
- Celebrity narrators add familiar, soothing voices
- Audio-only format eliminates screen time before bed
- Wide variety of stories, soundscapes, and music
Cons
- Subscription required after 1-week free trial
- Some children may want visual components
- Premium price point ($8.99/month)
Age Suitability: 0-12 years
Platforms: iOS and Android
Ready to try Moshi?
Start with a free 7-day trial and see how much faster your child falls asleep!
2. Calm – Sleep Stories, Soundscapes and Meditations
While Calm is well-known for adult meditation, their children’s section is equally impressive. My daughter is completely enchanted by “Dream with Me” narrated by Harry Styles – his soft British accent combined with the app’s soothing background music usually has her asleep within 20 minutes.
Calm offers a wonderful variety of sleep stories, including classic tales like “Jack in the Beanstalk” and “Beauty and the Beast.” The app also includes age-appropriate meditations for children 3-17 years old, teaching valuable skills like deep belly breathing and mindfulness techniques that help with both sleep and daytime anxiety.
Pros
- High-quality narration from celebrities
- Content for both sleep and anxiety management
- Variety of soundscapes and white noise options
- Family subscription covers parents too
Cons
- Higher subscription cost than kid-specific apps
- Limited free content
- Not exclusively designed for children
Age Suitability: 3-17 years
Platforms: iOS and Android
Experience Calm with your child
Try the 7-day free trial and discover why millions of families use Calm for better sleep.
3. Headspace for Kids – Bedtime Stories, Sounds and Meditations
Headspace for Kids takes the mindfulness expertise of the popular adult app and adapts it perfectly for children. What I love about Headspace is how they’ve tailored content for specific age groups: 5 and under, 6-8, and 9-12 years old, with session lengths varying from 1 to 9 minutes depending on age.
For the youngest users, there are delightful Sesame Street collaborations like “Belly Breathing with Rosita” and “Goodnight Body with Elmo.” My 8-year-old particularly enjoys the “Sleep Tight” meditations from the 9-12 category, which have become an essential part of our bedtime routine before her sleep story.
Pros
- Age-specific content for developmental appropriateness
- Teaches valuable mindfulness skills beyond sleep
- Sesame Street characters for younger children
- Family plan available
Cons
- Shorter sessions may not be enough for some children
- Limited free content
- Subscription required for full access
Age Suitability: 0-12 years (content divided by age groups)
Platforms: iOS and Android
Start mindful bedtimes with Headspace
Begin your free trial and teach your child valuable sleep and mindfulness skills.
4. Storybook – Calm Bedtime & Sleep
Storybook takes a unique approach by focusing on parent-child bonding as a key element of the bedtime routine. What sets this app apart is its combination of guided relaxation techniques, massage instructions, and narrated bedtime stories that create meaningful, screen-free moments between you and your child.
Trusted by over 3 million families and recommended by psychologists, Storybook helps not only with sleep but also with managing anxiety and boosting self-esteem. I’ve found the guided massage techniques particularly effective – they create a special connection while physically helping my daughter’s body relax before sleep.
Pros
- Focuses on parent-child bonding
- Includes guided massage techniques
- Scientifically backed methods
- Over 400 content tracks
Cons
- Requires more parent involvement than other apps
- Annual subscription model ($59.99/year)
- Some techniques require practice
Age Suitability: 0-12 years
Platforms: iOS and Android
Strengthen your bond while improving sleep
Try Storybook free and transform bedtime into a special connection moment.
5. Slumber Sloth – Sleep Stories for Kids
Slumber Sloth is a charming app designed specifically for children who love animals and nature-themed stories. The app features an adorable sloth character who guides children through bedtime with gentle stories and calming sounds from the natural world.
What I appreciate about Slumber Sloth is its simplicity and focus. The stories are the perfect length (10-15 minutes) and follow a predictable pattern that signals to children it’s time to wind down. The nature sounds like gentle rainfall, ocean waves, and forest ambience create a peaceful atmosphere that helps transition from day to night.
Pros
- Engaging animal character appeals to children
- Nature-themed stories and sounds
- Simple, intuitive interface
- More affordable subscription option
Cons
- Less content variety than larger apps
- Limited free stories
- No celebrity narrators
Age Suitability: 2-10 years
Platforms: iOS and Android
Let Slumber Sloth guide your child to sleep
Try the free stories tonight and see how nature-themed tales can help your child relax.
6. Sleep Little Bear – Bedtime Meditation
Sleep Little Bear is perfect for younger children who respond well to visual guidance. This app combines gentle animations with breathing exercises and short meditations specifically designed for toddlers and preschoolers who might struggle with traditional audio-only content.
The adorable bear character demonstrates breathing techniques that children can easily follow, making mindfulness accessible even to very young kids. My daughter started using this app when she was 4, and the visual breathing cues were incredibly effective at helping her calm down before bedtime.
Pros
- Visual breathing guides perfect for young children
- Simple interface designed for independent use
- Gentle animations support the calming process
- More affordable than premium apps
Cons
- Limited content compared to larger apps
- May be too simple for older children
- Some screen time required (though minimal)
Age Suitability: 2-7 years
Platforms: iOS and Android
Help your little one learn to calm down
Download Sleep Little Bear and introduce your child to simple breathing techniques tonight.
7. Sleepiest – Sleep Stories & Sounds
Sleepiest stands out with its beautiful interface and unique sound mixer feature that allows you to create custom soundscapes. You can layer rain, wind, crackling fire, and other ambient sounds to create the perfect sleep environment for your child’s preferences.
The app offers a growing library of sleep stories ranging from classic fairy tales to original adventures. What makes Sleepiest special is the attention to sound quality – the narrators have exceptionally soothing voices, and the background audio is engineered specifically to promote deeper sleep states.
Pros
- Customizable sound mixer
- High-quality audio engineering
- Beautiful, intuitive interface
- Sleep tracking features
Cons
- Fewer kid-specific stories than dedicated children’s apps
- Limited free content
- Some features may be too complex for younger children
Age Suitability: 4-12 years
Platforms: iOS and Android
Create the perfect sound environment
Try Sleepiest free and customize your child’s ideal sleep soundscape tonight.
8. Sleep Jar – White Noise & Stories
Sleep Jar takes a minimalist approach, focusing primarily on creating the perfect sound environment for sleep. This app is ideal for children who are sensitive to noise or who sleep better with consistent background sounds rather than stories or guided content.
What makes Sleep Jar special is its high-quality, non-looping sound recordings that play continuously without the jarring repetition found in many white noise apps. You can create custom mixes of rainfall, ocean waves, fan sounds, and more, adjusting each element’s volume to create the perfect sleep soundtrack for your child.
Pros
- Non-looping, high-quality sound recordings
- Simple, distraction-free interface
- Customizable sound mixes
- Lower subscription cost than story-based apps
Cons
- No stories or guided content
- Limited free sounds
- May not engage children who prefer stories
Age Suitability: All ages
Platforms: iOS and Android
Create the perfect sound environment
Download Sleep Jar and find the perfect white noise combination for your child tonight.
Comparison of the Best Sleep Apps for Kids
| App Name | Best For | Age Range | Free Content | Subscription Cost | Unique Feature |
| Moshi | Audio stories & soundscapes | 0-12 years | 7-day trial | $8.99/month | Celebrity narrators |
| Calm | Variety of content | 3-17 years | Limited selection | $69.99/year | Harry Styles narration |
| Headspace for Kids | Age-specific meditations | 0-12 years | Limited selection | $69.99/year | Sesame Street characters |
| Storybook | Parent-child bonding | 0-12 years | Free trial | $59.99/year | Guided massage techniques |
| Slumber Sloth | Nature themes | 2-10 years | 3 free stories | $4.99/month | Animal character guide |
| Sleep Little Bear | Visual breathing guides | 2-7 years | Basic exercises | $3.99/month | Animated breathing exercises |
| Sleepiest | Custom soundscapes | 4-12 years | Limited selection | $49.99/year | Sound mixer |
| Sleep Jar | White noise & sounds | All ages | Basic sounds | $3.99/month | Non-looping recordings |
Tips for Integrating Sleep Apps into Your Child’s Bedtime Routine
Create a Consistent Routine
The most effective way to use sleep apps is as part of a consistent bedtime routine. Start with calming activities like a warm bath or reading a physical book, then transition to the sleep app as the final step before lights out. Consistency signals to your child’s brain that it’s time to wind down.
Limit Screen Time
For apps with visual elements, try to minimize screen exposure. Many apps have audio-only modes – use these when possible. If visual elements are needed (like for breathing exercises), keep the screen brightness at its lowest setting and place the device at least a foot away from your child.
Start with Short Sessions
If your child is new to sleep apps, start with shorter stories or meditations (5-10 minutes) and gradually increase the length as they become more comfortable with the routine. This helps prevent frustration and builds positive associations with bedtime.
Combine with Physical Comfort
Pair the app with other sleep-promoting elements like a favorite stuffed animal, comfortable pajamas, and a room at the ideal temperature (around 65-68°F/18-20°C). The combination of physical comfort and mental relaxation is powerful.
Be Patient and Consistent
Some children respond immediately to sleep apps, while others may take a week or more to adjust. Be patient and consistent – using the app at the same time each night helps establish its effectiveness as a sleep cue.
Involve Your Child in Choosing Content
Let your child have a say in which stories or sounds they listen to. This sense of control can reduce bedtime resistance and increase their engagement with the app. Just limit choices to 2-3 options to prevent bedtime delays.
Pro Tip: For children who struggle with separation anxiety, record a short personal message that they can listen to through the app. Hearing your voice can provide comfort even when you’ve left the room.
Conclusion: Sweet Dreams Are Just an App Away
Finding the right sleep app for your child can transform bedtime from a nightly struggle into a peaceful, connecting experience. Whether your child responds best to stories, sounds, or guided meditations, there’s an app designed to meet their specific needs and preferences.
Remember that sleep apps work best as part of a consistent bedtime routine rather than a standalone solution. By combining these digital tools with good sleep hygiene practices – like a regular sleep schedule, a comfortable sleep environment, and limited screen time before bed – you’re setting your child up for sleep success.
As a mom who’s been through the bedtime battles, I can attest that finding the right sleep app has been game-changing for our family. Not only does my daughter fall asleep faster, but bedtime has become a special time we both look forward to rather than dread.
Which sleep app will you try tonight? Sweet dreams are just a download away!
Ready to transform bedtime?
Start with our top recommendation and see the difference a good sleep app can make.
