How to Wake up a Child: 15 Fun Ways to Do It

Getting your child to wake up in the morning can be quite challenging. They either cling to their blankets, pleading for a few more minutes of sleep, or they get grumpy, ruining the entire family's mood. To make your life easier, parents have come up with fun ways to wake up their children in a positive manner. Since these methods are highly individual, it's worth trying a few to find what works best, how to wake up a deep sleeping child.

Why children don't wake up well

Before discussing how to wake up children, it's important to understand why some kids struggle with waking up. Let's rule out the most obvious reason – an inconsistent sleep schedule. This happens when children stay up late playing, doing homework, or staying awake to finish an interesting movie. Instead of going to bed at 10:00 p.m., they end up going to bed around midnight, at best.

It is crucial for a child's body to get sufficient sleep. Without it, don't expect them to perform well academically or engage in regular activities the following day. Here's the recommended sleep duration for children of different ages:

• Birth to 1 year: about 20 hours;

• 1.5 to 3 years: 16 hours;

• 4 to 6 years: 13 hours;

• 7 to 9 years: 11 hours;

• 10 to 12 years: 10 hours;

• 13 to 16 years: 9 hours.

Scientists believe that a person's chronotype, an individual's biological rhythm preference, is genetically determined and cannot be fundamentally influenced. However, children have busy lives and, regardless of their preference as "night owls," they often have to adapt to the schedule of "early birds."

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How to wake up a child in the morning

If your child is not a natural "night owl" and goes to bed on time, how can you successfully wake them up in the morning? Here are some potential reasons for their reluctance to wake up:

1. Reluctance to go to school or kindergarten: 

Unpleasant associations with disliked places can make a child resistant to waking up. They may realize that they have no choice but to go (especially for school), which can lead to annoyance and even a feeling of coercion.

2. Fatigue and stress: 

If a child had a tiring day, experienced stress, or spent a long time doing homework the previous night, their age-appropriate sleep duration may not be sufficient. If possible, allow them to sleep longer.

3. Dislike or fear of morning rituals:

Sometimes, parents use unconventional ways to wake up their child, such as pulling them out of bed by their legs, removing the blanket, turning on bright lights or loud music, or loudly calling them to wake up. These rituals can become daily nightmares for children.

4. Resistance to morning chores: 

Some children may feel lazy or see morning routines like exercising, showering, or having breakfast as burdensome parental demands.

Also: What To Do When Your Child Refuses To Go To School

Expressions of reluctance to wake up

How children express their resistance to waking up can vary. Some children pretend to be asleep even when they hear the alarm clock and their parents' voices perfectly well. Others beg for an extra minute of sleep. Some get frustrated, throw slippers, and express their discontent. Others may burst into tears out of resentment for not being allowed to stay in bed.

While most children eventually come to their senses after a while, if waking up becomes a source of intense protest, it can lead to difficulties not only with waking up but also with subsequent activities. It becomes challenging to get such a stubborn child to use the bathroom, exercise, eat, and get dressed. They may refuse to pack their school bag, comb their hair, or search for misplaced gloves.

Any action with such a child feels like a struggle or coercion for them, which can be incredibly frustrating for parents who are unsure how to wake up a deep sleeping child without tears, tantrums, and resistance.

Also: How To Help Your Child Deal With Bullies At School

During the chaotic morning rush, a child's stubbornness is far from welcome. Adults quickly lose patience and may resort to yelling at the child, sending them off without breakfast, or allowing them to go to school in their pajamas as a form of punishment or due to their own emotional state. This negatively impacts everyone's mood, especially if these battles happen every morning. Consequently, mornings become an extremely stressful and unpleasant time, emphasizing the importance of finding ways to wake up a child without tears, tantrums, and resistance.

15 fun ways to wake up your child

To begin, let's reflect on any mistakes you may be making. Consider if there's something in your approach that your child doesn't respond well to. Perhaps you're waking them up too forcefully, loudly, or persistently. Or maybe you're bombarding them with multiple alarm clocks set to unpleasant sounds.

If you're not guilty of these actions, it's time to introduce some creative strategies to rouse your sleepy little one. Here are 15 fun ways to wake up your child:

1. Allow time for a gentle transition:

Always allocate an extra 10–20 minutes for your child to lie in bed, wake up slowly, and still manage to be punctual.

2. Warm and cozy robe:

During colder seasons, crawling out of bed can feel particularly uncomfortable. Help your child by providing a soft and fluffy fleece bathrobe that they can snuggle into. Don't forget about cute slippers too.

3. Engaging content: 

Play a short cartoon or video that captures your child's attention and entices them to wake up. Curiosity about what's happening on the screen will motivate them to leave their cozy nest swiftly.

4. Soothing alarm sounds:

Opt for calm, melodic, and gentle alarm sounds. Unpleasant and jarring sounds can trigger a sense of danger and cause stress upon waking. While adults can quickly shake off the initial fright, such sounds can genuinely scare a child.

5. Embrace sunlight:

Use natural light as a way to wake up your child. In the spring, early autumn, and summer, avoid covering windows with thick curtains or blinds. Allowing the room to be filled with natural light activates the child's internal awakening mechanisms.

6. Aromatherapy:

Rise early and prepare breakfast to fill the air with enticing aromas. The scent of coffee and freshly baked goods has a remarkable ability to awaken even the sleepiest of heads. Citrus, basil, and ginger oils are also known for their invigorating properties. Consider investing in an ultrasonic diffuser, adding a few drops of essential oil to the water, and turning it on in the nursery each morning.

7. Affectionate greetings:

Start the day with a gentle hug, quietly greet your child, wish them a good day, sing a song, or share a dream you had during your own sleep. Speak in a calm and kind manner, avoiding reminders to hurry. Let the first few minutes after waking be filled with positivity. This approach is an interesting way to wake up a deep sleeping child.

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8. Gentle massage:

Wake up your child with slow, gentle strokes on their arms and legs, gradually increasing the energy. You can massage their hands, fingers, and toes to stimulate circulation and awaken their senses.

9. Morning exercises:

Once you manage to coax your child out of bed, encourage them to engage in morning exercises. Choose quick and versatile routines that you can do together. Just 5–10 minutes of lively physical activity is often sufficient to shake off the sleepiness and is one of fun ways to wake up your child.

10. Water-based awakening:

A refreshing shower or even a splash of cool water can quickly rejuvenate your little "owl." Some say that simply moistening their hands with cold water can do the trick.

11. Revitalizing beverage:

While coffee is not recommended for children under 10 years old, a cup of tea can serve as a refreshing alternative. Teenagers can explore options like coffee with milk, cappuccino, latte, or other intriguing drinks. If your family enjoys coffee, investing in a good coffee machine can solve the awakening problem for everyone.

12. Wholesome breakfast:

Even if you're accustomed to skipping breakfast yourself, remember that children need something nourishing in the morning. Get creative with interesting and nutritious breakfast options, as there are plenty of recipes available. A satisfying meal is an excellent way to wake up a child.

13. Playful tricks:

Young children can easily be enticed by simple tricks. For instance, you could say, "Oh, I think I lost a delicious candy somewhere under your bed yesterday. Can you help me find it?" Of course, ensure that there's actually a treat to be found, and let them enjoy it after breakfast.

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14. Organized preparation:

If difficulties arise from your child's disorganization and rush, try preparing as much as possible the night before. How to wake up a child without stress? Ensure that textbooks and notebooks are in their backpack, select clothes, and tidy up shoes. A well-prepared morning routine can alleviate stress and make awakening smoother.

15. Furry companions:

 Having a cat or a dog in the house can serve as the most delightful "alarm clocks." Invite the pet to snuggle up next to your child, and soon they'll feel the presence of their furry friend, prompting them to pet and wake up. It's an adorable way to rouse children from their slumber.

If, despite your best efforts, your child wakes up grumpy or resistant, don't lose your temper or give up. Maintain a benevolent attitude to help shift their mood away from morning apathy. With patience, consistency, and a dash of creativity, you can discover the most effective strategies and fun ways to gently wake up your child without tears, tantrums, and resistance.