Eight short, original goodnight poems to read aloud: a sleepy teddy, a quiet garden, the moon at the window, rain on the roof and the end of an ordinary day. Some rhyme and some don't. Each takes less than a minute to read slowly, so you can read one, or three, or the same favorite again.
8 original poemsunder a minute eachages 3 to 8free to print
Poem 1 of 8
A well-traveled teddy is tucked in after a busy day.
Teddy has been everywhere today:to the park, to the shops, to the farawayend of the garden where the tall weeds grow,and under the table, and back, and so
now he is tired, and his ears are flat,and he's lost a button, but never mind that.I'll tuck him in on the pillow by me,his paws on the blanket where I can see.
Goodnight, Teddy. Tomorrow we'll explore.Tonight, let's just sleep, and not one thing more.
Poem 2 of 8
Bees, sunflowers, a snail and a pond settle down at dusk.
The bees have gone home.The sunflowers bow their heavy heads.A snail sets out on its slow evening walk,and the swing stops swinging.
The tomatoes keep their warmth a little longer.The pond holds one pink cloud,then lets it go.
Somewhere under the hedgea hedgehog is waking up.Everything elseis settling down.
Poem 3 of 8
The moon shines in at bedtime and stays until morning.
The moon came to my windowas I was getting into bed.It didn't knock. It didn't speak.It shone on me instead.
It shone across my blanket,it shone along the floor,it found my shoes and slippersand the hook behind the door.
I said goodnight and closed my eyes;it didn't go away.It stayed there, round and silver,until the edge of day.
Poem 4 of 8
A goodnight to every room of a familiar home.
Goodnight to the kitchen, the table, the chairs,goodnight to the cat curled up on the stairs,goodnight to the hallway, the coats on their pegs,goodnight to the dog stretching out his long legs,goodnight to the bathroom, the tap's final drip,goodnight to the soap with its slippery slip,goodnight to the landing, the nightlight's small glow,goodnight to my room, where the softest things go.
Goodnight, house. You keep us all in.Goodnight, house, till the morning begins.
Poem 5 of 8
A small boat rocks at its mooring after a day on the bay.
The little boat is tied up tightbeside the wooden stair.It's sailed all day across the bay,and now it's resting there.
The water rocks it side to side,its rope goes creak and sigh;a gull lands on the harbor wallto watch the stars go by.
Tomorrow there'll be wind and wavesand somewhere new to be.Tonight the little boat just rocks,asleep upon the sea.
Poem 6 of 8
Short lines that patter, tap and drip like the rain.
Pitter,patter,on the roof.Tap,tap,on the glass.Dripfrom the gutter,dropon the step,rushdown the drainpipe,hushin the grass.
Warm in my bedI listen and listentill the rain and Iare bothasleep.
Poem 7 of 8
Clothes folded on a chair, waiting quietly for the morning.
Tomorrow's clothes are waiting on the chair:the blue shirt folded with its arms tucked in,as if it's giving itself a hug;the socks rolled up into one round ball;the pants lying flat,knees bent, as if they're resting too.
They've done nothing all daybut wait for me.Tonight they wait a little longer,quiet in the dark,ready.
Poem 8 of 8
Nothing special happened today, and that was good too.
Nothing very special happened today.I had toast. I found a stone.I played a game, I lost a sock,I walked a little way back home.
I helped to set the table,I watched a beetle climb,I laughed at something Grandma said,I read my book one more time.
Nothing very special happened;that's just how some days go.But it was mine, and it was good,and now it's time to sleep, and so:goodnight, ordinary day.
Free printable
A small anthology with every poem on this page, line breaks and all. Free to print and copy for home and classroom use.
Yes. All eight poems were written for Pimlo and are free to read aloud, print and share at home or in the classroom.
Each poem takes less than a minute to read aloud slowly. Reading two or three in a row, or the same favorite again, makes a calm few minutes before lights out.
No. Some of these poems rhyme and some don't. The Garden Goes Quiet and Tomorrow's Clothes use no rhyme at all; Rain on the Roof uses very short lines that sound like the rain.
Goodnight, House and Rain on the Roof are good for the youngest listeners, with sounds and repeated words to join in with. Older children may enjoy An Ordinary Day, which is about noticing small things.
Tomorrow, the story continues
A favorite poem read every night can become part of bedtime. In Pimlo, your child's own stories can bring back the characters and places they love, night after night.
Parents set the age band and what to avoid, and stories are checked before playback.
For parents and caregivers. No child information needed.
