25+ Sweet And Soothing Goodnight Poems For Kids

Goodnight poems for kids are like the softest lullabies woven with words. These verses are whispered wishes that flutter through the night, carrying dreams on their wings. They’re like cozy blankets for the soul, wrapping little hearts in a warm embrace before they drift off to dreamland. Whether it’s a rhyme that dances like fireflies or a soothing stanza that feels like a gentle hug, these poems are a magical way to send kids off to sleep with the sweetest dreams.

Think of goodnight poems for kids as the closing act of a magical bedtime show. These verses add a touch of enchantment to the routine of winding down. With their rhythmic cadence and soothing melodies, these poems become a cherished part of the nighttime ritual. They’re like a final chapter in the book of the day, a gentle reminder that it’s time to tuck away worries and embrace the tranquility of the night. Moreover, goodnight poems for kids are more than just bedtime stories; they’re little notes of love and connection. These verses are like a whispered promise that someone cares and wishes them well through the night.

In conclusion, whether it’s a parent’s gentle voice reciting the lines or the rhythmic hum of a nursery rhyme, these sweet and soothing goodnight poems for kids create a bridge between the waking world and the world of dreams. They’re a reminder that even in the quiet hours of the night, our kids are surrounded by love and warmth. These poems will build bonds that last through moonlit nights and sunlit mornings.

1, Night Time © Meshack Ifada

The sun had dropped below the horizon
People scurries indoor
With the arrival of nightfall
As the birds are silenced of their madrigals

The shops along the streets are closed
Workers and laborers heads home to relieve their sores
Momentarily the moon is arosed
As my neighbour’s stenile dog retreats it’s paw

The moon comes sitting high up in the sky
Accompanied by little twinkling stars
It all calm gazing at them at night
Relieving yourself of the scorching sun’s fright

You could hear the lousy crickets
Screeching through the grasses and crest
The howling foxes and owls
And the bats as they hang upside-down resplendently on their poles

Out on the bright coloured streets
Are the twirling trees
Dancing to the tunes of the wind’s tweets
There are as well strolling lovers under the moon’s light
Chatting and giggling to the glamorous moon’s delight

It’s of no use being scared of the night
Not even the cold, nor it’s whistling sight
It’s a great time to lie on the fields
Gazing at the stars and pronouncing out your wishes to the winds

Look at the overwhelming beauty of this night
Overhead the billion stars crackling from it’s beautiful sight
And the moon giving out it’s ardent light that lightens a worried face
Making thoughts peacefully sweet like a drunk’s bottle of ale
It’s all gorgeous, this natural glowing night image
And so calm as the still Waters of the lake

Some are snoring heavily on their bed
Putting a rest to their workaholic head
And dreamers ventures into Dreamland
With their resting feet travelling many miles, defiling all boundaries bind
As they picture for their selves a better tomorrow
Amidst all challenges, going through the night they wish for tomorrow

And so it comes time to close my tired eyes
But the moon’s light
It’s soothing tender beaming smile
Caresses and tucks me in on bed right
So it’s a good Night

2, In a Garden © Algernon Charles Swinburne

Baby, see the flowers!
—Baby sees
Fairer things than these,
Fairer though they be than dreams of ours.

Baby, hear the birds!
—Baby knows
Better songs than those,
Sweeter though they sound than sweetest words.

Baby, see the moon!
—Baby’s eyes
Laugh to watch it rise,
Answering light with love and night with noon.

Baby, hear the sea!
—Baby’s face
Takes a graver grace,
Touched with wonder what the sound may be.

Baby, see the star!
—Baby’s hand
Opens, warm and bland,
Calm in claim of all things fair that are.

Baby, hear the bells!
—Baby’s head Bows,
as ripe for bed,
Now the flowers curl round and close their cells.

Baby, flower of light,
Sleep, and see
Brighter dreams than we,
Till good day shall smile away good night.

3, Good Night and Good Morning © Richard Monckton Milnes, Lord Houghton

A fair little girl sat under a tree,
Sewing as long as her eyes could see;
Then smoothed her work, and folded it right,
And said, “Dear work, good night! good night!”

Such a number of rooks came over her head,
Crying, “Caw! Caw!” on their way to bed;
She said, as she watched their curious flight,
“Little black things, good night! good night!”

The horses neighed, and the oxen lowed,
The sheep’s “Bleat! bleat!” came over the road;
All seeming to say, with a quiet delight,
“Good little girl, good night! good night!”

She did not say to the sun, “Good night!”
Though she saw him there like a ball of light,
For she knew he had God’s time to keep
All over the world, and never could sleep.

The tall pink foxglove bowed his head,
The violets curtsied and went to bed;
And good little Lucy tied up her hair,
And said on her knees her favourite prayer.

And while on her pillow she softly lay,
She knew nothing more till again it was day;
And all things said to the beautiful sun,
“Good morning! good morning! our work is begun!

4, Willie Winkie © William Miller

Wee Willie Winkie rins through the town,

Upstairs and doon stairs, in his nicht-gown,
Tirlin’ at the window, cryin’ at the lock,
“Are the weans in their bed? – for it’s noo ten o’clock.”

Hey, Willie Winkie! are ye comin’ ben?
The cat’s singin’ gay thrums to the sleepin’ hen,
The doug’s speldered on the floor, and disna gie a cheep;
But here’s a waukrife laddie, that winna fa’ asleep.

Onything but sleep, ye rogue! – glowrin’ like the moon,
Rattlin’ in an airn jug wi’ an airn spoon,
Rumblin’, tumblin’ roun’ about, crawin’ like a cock,
Skirlin’ like a kenna-what – wauknin’ sleepin’ folk!

Hey, Willie Winkie! the wean’s in a creel!
Waumblin’ aff a bodie’s knee like a vera eel,
Ruggin’ at the cat’s lug, and ravellin’ a’ her thrums:
Hey, Willie Winkie! – See, there he comes!

5, My Little Dear, So Fast Asleep © Dolly Radford

MY little dear, so fast asleep,
Whose arms about me cling,
What kisses shall she have to keep,
While she is slumbering?
Upon her golden baby-hair,
The golden dreams I’ll kiss
Which Life spread through my morning fair,
And I have saved, for this.
Upon her baby eyes I’ll press
The kiss Love gave to me,
When his great joy and loveliness
Made all things fair to see.
And on her lips with smiles astir,
Ah me, what prayer of old
May now be kissed to comfort her,
Should Love or Life grow cold.

6, In a garden © Algernon Charles Swinburne

Baby, see the flowers!
—Baby sees
Fairer things than these,
Fairer though they be than dreams of ours.

Baby, hear the birds!
—Baby knows
Better songs than those,
Sweeter though they sound than sweetest words.

Baby, see the moon!
—Baby’s eyes
Laugh to watch it rise,
Answering light with love and night with noon.

Baby, hear the sea!
—Baby’s face
Takes a graver grace,
Touched with wonder what the sound may be.

Baby, see the star!
—Baby’s hand
Opens, warm and bland,
Calm in claim of all things fair that are.

Baby, hear the bells!
—Baby’s head Bows,
as ripe for bed,
Now the flowers curl round and close their cells.

Baby, flower of light,
Sleep, and see
Brighter dreams than we,
Till good day shall smile away good night.

7, The Sugar-Plum Tree © Eugene Field

Have you ever heard of the Sugar-Plum Tree?
‘Tis a marvel of great renown!
It blooms on the shore of the Lollypop sea
In the garden of Shut-Eye Town;
The fruit that it bears is so wondrously sweet
(As those who have tasted it say)
That good little children have only to eat
Of that fruit to be happy next day.

When you’ve got to the tree, you would have a hard time
To capture the fruit which I sing;
The tree is so tall that no person could climb
To the boughs where the sugar-plums swing!
But up in that tree sits a chocolate cat,
And a gingerbread dog prowls below –
And this is the way you contrive to get at
Those sugar-plums tempting you so:

You say but the word to that gingerbread dog
And he barks with such terrible zest
That the chocolate cat is at once all agog,
As her swelling proportions attest.
And the chocolate cat goes cavorting around
From this leafy limb unto that,
And the sugar-plums tumble, of course, to the ground –
Hurrah for that chocolate cat!

There are marshmallows, gumdrops, and peppermint canes,
With stripings of scarlet or gold,
And you carry away of the treasure that rains,
As much as your apron can hold!
So come, little child, cuddle closer to me
In your dainty white nightcap and gown,
And I’ll rock you away to that Sugar-Plum Tree
In the garden of Shut-Eye Town.

8, Bed in Summer © Robert Louis Stevenson

In Winter I get up at night
And dress by yellow candle light.
In Summer, quite the other way,
I have to go to bed by day.

I have to go to bed and see
The birds still hopping on the tree,
Or hear the grown-up people’s feet
Still going past me in the street.

And does it not seem hard to you,
When all the sky is clear and blue,
And I should like so much to play,
To have to go to bed by day?

9, Sweet Dreams © Tree Cards

You look tired,
you need some rest,
A good night’s sleep,
is often best.

I wish you a deep
and truly sweet dream,
With a waterfall,
and a gentle stream.

Comfy white pillow,
and your warm soft sheet,
Will feel like heaven,
it’s surely a treat.

Hope you sleep,
in total piece,
All your concerns,
your mind shall release.

In the morning,
when you wake,
You’ll be ready,
to dance and shake.

10, The Sugar-Plum Tree © Eugene Field

Have you ever heard of the Sugar-Plum Tree?
‘Tis a marvel of great renown!
It blooms on the shore of the Lollypop sea
In the garden of Shut-Eye Town;
The fruit that it bears is so wondrously sweet
(As those who have tasted it say)
That good little children have only to eat
Of that fruit to be happy next day.

When you’ve got to the tree, you would have a hard time
To capture the fruit which I sing;
The tree is so tall that no person could climb
To the boughs where the sugar-plums swing!
But up in that tree sits a chocolate cat,
And a gingerbread dog prowls below –
And this is the way you contrive to get at
Those sugar-plums tempting you so:

You say but the word to that gingerbread dog
And he barks with such terrible zest
That the chocolate cat is at once all agog,
As her swelling proportions attest.
And the chocolate cat goes cavorting around
From this leafy limb unto that,
And the sugar-plums tumble, of course, to the ground –
Hurrah for that chocolate cat!

There are marshmallows, gumdrops, and peppermint canes,
With stripings of scarlet or gold,
And you carry away of the treasure that rains,
As much as your apron can hold!
So come, little child, cuddle closer to me
In your dainty white nightcap and gown,
And I’ll rock you away to that Sugar-Plum Tree
In the garden of Shut-Eye Town.

11, A Charm to Call Sleep © Henry Johnstone

Sleep, Sleep, come to me, Sleep,
Come to my blankets and come to my bed,
Come to my legs and my arms and my head,
Over me, under me, into me creep.

Sleep, Sleep, come to me, Sleep,
Blow on my face like a soft breath of air,
Lay your cool hand on my forehead and hair,
Carry me down through the dream-waters deep.

Sleep, Sleep, come to me, Sleep,
Tell me the secrets that you alone know,
Show me the wonders none other can show,
Open the box where your treasures you keep.

Sleep, Sleep, come to me, Sleep:
Softly I call you; as soft and as slow
Come to me, cuddle me, stay with me so,
Stay till the dawn is beginning to peep.

12, Minnie And Winnie © Alfred Tennyson

Minnie and Winnie slept in a shell.
Sleep, little ladies! And they slept well.
Pink was the shell within, silver without;
Sounds of the great sea wandered about.
Sleep, little ladies! Wake not soon!
Echo on echo dies to the moon.
Two bright stars peeped into the shell.
“What are they dreaming of? Who can tell?
Started a green linnet out of the croft;
Wake, little ladies! The sun is aloft.

13, Good Night © Jane and Ann Taylor

Little baby, lay your head
On your pretty cradle-bed;
Shut your eye-peeps, now the day
And the light are gone away;
All the clothes are tucked in tight;
Little baby dear, good night.

Yes, my darling, well I know
How the bitter wind doth blow;
And the winter’s snow and rain
Patter on the window-pane:
But they cannot come in here,
To my little baby dear.

For the window shutteth fast,
Till the stormy night is past;
And the curtains warm are spread
Round about her cradle-bed:
So till morning shineth bright
Little baby dear, good night!

14, The Dustman © Frederic Edward Weatherly

When the toys are growing weary,
And the twilight gathers in;
When the nursery still echoes
With the children’s merry din;
Then unseen, unheard, unnoticed
Comes an old man up the stair,
Lightly to the children passes,
Lays his hand upon their hair.

Softly smiles the good old Dustman;
In their eyes the dust he throws,
Till their little heads are falling,
And their weary eyes must close.
Then the Dustman very gently
Takes each little dimpled hand
Leads them through the sweet green shadows,
Far away in slumberland.

15, Come Little Leaves © George Cooper

“Come, little leaves,”
Said the wind one day,
“Come over the meadows
With me, and play;
Put on your dresses
Of red and gold;
Summer is gone,
And the days grow cold.”

Soon as the leaves
Heard the wind’s loud call,
Down they came fluttering,
One and all;
Over the meadows
They danced and flew,
Singing the soft
Little songs they knew.

Dancing and flying
The little leaves went;
Winter had called them
And they were content-
Soon fast asleep
In their earthy beds,
The snow laid a soft mantle
Over their heads.

16, The Mouse’s Lullaby © Palmer Cox

Oh, rock-a-by, baby mouse, rock-a-by, so!
When baby’s asleep to the baker’s I’ll go,
And while he’s not looking I’ll pop from a hole,
And bring to my baby a fresh penny roll.

17, Minnie and Winnie © Alfred Tennyson

Minnie and Winnie
Slept in a shell.
Sleep, little ladies!
And they slept well.
Pink was the shell within,
Silver without;
Sounds of the great sea
Wandered about.
Sleep, little ladies,
Wake not soon!
Echo on echo
Dies to the moon.
Two bright stars
Peeped into the shell.
‘What are they dreaming of?
Who can tell?”
Started a green linnet
Out of the croft;
Wake, little ladies,
The sun is aloft!

18, A Cradle Song © Thomas Dekker

Golden slumbers kiss your eyes,
Smiles awake you when you rise.
Sleep, pretty wantons, do not cry,
And I will sing a lullaby:
Rock them, rock them, lullaby.

Care is heavy, therefore, sleep you;
You are care, and care must keep you;
Sleep, pretty wantons, do not cry,
And I will sing a lullaby:
Rock them, rock them, lullaby.

19, Bed-Time © Gelett Burgess

The night is different from the day—
It’s darker in the night;
How can you ever hope to play
When it’s no longer light?
When bed-time comes, it’s time for you
To stop, for when you’re yawning,
You should be dreaming what you’ll do
When it’s to-morrow morning.

20, Goodnight © Samuel Goodrich

The sun has sunk behind the hills,
The shadows o’er the landscape creep;
A drowsy sound the woodland fills,
And nature folds her arms to sleep:
Good night—good night.
The chattering jay has ceased his din—
The noisy robin sings no more—
The crow, his mountain haunt within,
Dreams ‘mid the forest’s surly roar:
Good night—good night.
The sunlit cloud floats dim and pale;
The dew is falling soft and still;
The mist hangs trembling o’er the vale,
And silence broods o’er yonder mill:
Goodnight—good night.
The rose, so ruddy in the light,
Bends on its stem all rayless now,
And by its side the lily white
A sister shadow, seems to bow:
Good night—good night.
The bat may wheel on silent wing—
The fox his guilty vigils keep—
The boding owl his dirges sing;
But love and innocence will sleep:
Good night—good night!

21, Goodnight © W.T. Peters

Good-night, happy stars,
With your yellow eyes;
Good-night, lady moon,
In the evening skies;
Good-night, dusky world
And the boundless deep;
I am tired out;
It is time to sleep—
Time, time to sleep.
Good-night! Good-night!

Good-night, weary child;
It has been decreed
That some mysteries
Only a child can read;
But the sweet child-heart
May you always keep,
And the stars will be yours,
And the boundless deep—
The boundless, boundless deep.
Good-night! Good-night!

22, The Sandman © Evelyn Stein

The Sandman! hark, I hear him!
He’s coming up the stair,
And everybody near him
Is nodding, I declare!
He’s peeping in the door now,
And first of all he spies,
As he has done before now,
The little children’s eyes!
Then quickly does he throw it,
His golden sleepy-sand,
And all, before they know it,
Are off for sleepy-land!

23, Cradle Songs © Algernon Charles Swinburne

I.
Baby, baby bright,
Sleep can steal from sight
Little of your light:
Soft as fire in dew,
Still the life in you
Lights your slumber through.
Four white eyelids keep
Fast the seal of sleep
Deep as love is deep:
Yet, though closed it lies,
Love behind them spies
Heaven in two blue eyes.

II.
Baby, baby dear,
Earth and heaven are near
Now, for heaven is here.
Heaven is every place
Where your flower-sweet face
Fills our eyes with grace.
Till your own eyes deign
Earth a glance again,
Earth and heaven are twain.
Now your sleep is done,
Shine, and show the sun
Earth and heaven are one.

III.
Baby, baby sweet,
Love’s own lips are meet
Scarce to kiss your feet.
Hardly love’s own ear,
When your laugh crows clear,
Quite deserves to hear.
Hardly love’s own wile,
Though it please awhile,
Quite deserves your smile.
Baby full of grace,
Bless us yet a space:
Sleep will come apace.

IV.
Baby, baby true,
Man, whate’er he do,
May deceive not you.
Smiles whose love is guile,
Worn a flattering while,
Win from you no smile.
One, the smile alone
Out of love’s heart grown,
Ever wins your own.
Man, a dunce uncouth,
Errs in age and youth:
Babies know the truth.

V.
Baby, baby fair,
Love is fain to dare
Bless your haughtiest air.
Baby blithe and bland,
Reach but forth a hand
None may dare withstand;
Love, though well nigh cowed,
Yet would praise aloud
Pride so sweetly proud.
No! the fitting word
Even from breeze or bird
Never yet was heard.

VI.
Baby, baby kind,
Though no word we find,
Bear us yet in mind.
Half a little hour,
Baby bright in bower,
Keep this thought a flower—
Love it is, I see,
Here with heart and knee
Bows and worships me.
What can baby do,
Then, for love so true?—
Let it worship you.

VII.
Baby, baby wise,
Love’s divine surmise
Lights your constant eyes.
Day and night and day
One mute word would they,
As the soul saith, say.
Trouble comes and goes;
Wonder ebbs and flows;
Love remains and glows.
As the fledgling dove
Feels the breast above,
So your heart feels love.

24, Lullaby © J. W. Folley

Sleepy little, creepy little goblins in the gloaming,
With their airy little, fairy little faces all aglow,
Winking little, blinking little brownies gone a-roaming,
Hear the rustling little, bustling little footfalls as they go.
Laughing little, chaffing little voices sweetly singing
In the dearest little, queerest little baby lullabies,
Creep! Creep! Creep!
Time to go to sleep!
Baby playing ‘possum with his big brown eyes!

Cricket in the thicket with the oddest little clatter
Sings his rattling little, prattling little, tattling little tune;
Fleet the feet of tiny stars go patter, patter, patter,
As they scamper from the heavens at the rising of the moon.
Beaming little, gleaming little fireflies go dreaming
To the dearest little, queerest little baby lullabies.
Creep! Creep! Creep!
Time to go to sleep!
Baby playing ‘possum with his big brown eyes!

Quaking little, shaking little voices all a-quiver
In the mushy little, rushy little, weedy, reedy bogs,
Droning little, moaning little chorus by the river,
In the croaking little, joking little cadence of the frogs.
Eerie little, cheery little glowworms in the gloaming
Where the clover heads like fairy little nightcaps rise,
Creep! Creep! Creep!
Time to go to sleep!
Baby playing ‘possum with his big brown eyes!

25, Sleep, My Treasure © E. Nesbit

Sleep, sleep, my treasure,
The long day’s pleasure
Has tired the birds, to their nests they creep;
The garden still is
Alight with lilies,
But all the daisies are fast asleep.

Sleep, sleep, my darling,
Dawn wakes the starling,
The sparrow stirs when he sees day break;
But all the meadow
Is wrapped in shadow,
And you must sleep till the daisies wake!

26, Let’s All Go To The Moon © H.L. Dowless

We once sang a sweet song
In the merry month of June,
“Oh come with me to the
Valley of the moon!”
We shall travel about in clothes
Of golden sand,
If you will just give me your
Precious little hand.
Oh come now,
Let’s go to the moon!
In those shaded craters
We shall forever swing
From a beautiful hand stitched
Hammock that I thought to bring!
Can you come with me to the valley
Of the moon?
In the sands of shining gold
We’ll all happily dance,
Where only sunbeams
And angels have pranced!
We will sit about
In the cool shade and shadows,
Eating manna from the fairies
In the valleys!
Oh please now,
Do come to the moon!
Oh can you see there,
My dear child, oh look!
Where the old man’s left eye is,
We will be!
All of us forever merry,
Like a portrait in a book!
Oh please now,
Let’s go to the moon!
Yes you, yes me
All of us and the whole family,
Do come now,
Let’s go away soon.