Daylight saving is about to kick in this weekend—aka the yearly tradition where we all lose an hour of sleep, the kids suddenly refuse to go to bed because “it’s not dark yet!”, and parents wonder why we do this to ourselves.

While the clocks might jump forward, kids don’t always adjust as quickly, which can mean cranky mornings and overtired evenings. But fear not, we’ve got some simple tricks to help you survive the switch without too many meltdowns (yours or theirs).

Say Hello to Longer Nights: Daylight Saving Starts This Weekend

When Does Daylight Saving Start? 

Daylight saving starts this year on Sunday 5 October 2025. The clocks will spring forward (or you'll need to spring them forward) an hour from 2 am - 3 am on Sunday 5 October.

Our Top Tips to Make the Transition Smooth

Start the Shift Early

When daylight saving begins, clocks jump forward by an hour. For children, this often means bedtime feels too early because their internal clock still thinks it’s an hour earlier. To help them adjust smoothly, you can start shifting bedtime earlier in the few days leading up to the change.

• Move bedtime forward by 10–15 minutes each night for 3–4 nights before the clock change.

• Do the same with wake-up times and meal times—these little tweaks help reset their body clock gradually instead of in one big leap.

Keep Bedtime Routines Consistent

Kids thrive on routine, so stick to your usual pre-sleep rituals—bath, stories, cuddles, quiet time. Familiar cues help signal that it’s time to wind down, even if the sun is still up outside.

Make the Room Sleep-friendly

With evenings staying lighter for longer, consider blackout curtains or blinds to keep bedrooms dark. A comfortable sleep environment reduces bedtime resistance and helps little ones drift off faster.

Watch the Evening Activities

Avoid overstimulating activities (and too much screen time) in the hour before bed. Calming play, quiet reading, or gentle stretches work wonders in helping kids relax.

Be Patient

It’s completely normal for sleep patterns to wobble for a few days. Kids might be crankier or harder to settle—give everyone, including yourself, some grace while you adjust.

Embrace the Positives

Daylight saving also means more time for after-school play at the park, family walks, or backyard dinners. Framing the change as something exciting can help kids embrace it, too.

See you on the other side! 

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