How We Introduced Quiet Time to our Twins (and Made It Stick)

If you’ve ever had two preschoolers flying high on post-lunch energy and zero naps, you understand the necessity that is “Quiet Time”. Our 4-year-old twins had always been solid nappers—napping longer than many kids, honestly. But once they moved into their big kid beds, naps slowly disappeared, and the afternoons started to feel... chaotic.

We knew we still needed a break in the day (for them and for us), so we decided to introduce quiet time—a period where they could rest, reset, and play independently. We weren’t sure how it would go at first, but with some prep, the right tools, and a lot of patience, quiet time became a routine we all love. Keep reading to see how we made it work.

The Nap-to-Quiet-Time Shift

Our girls held on to naps longer than we expected. Even at age 4, they were still happily snoozing in their cribs most afternoons. But after we transitioned them to big beds, the naps became inconsistent. Some days they’d chat or play instead of sleeping; other days, they’d nap too late and bedtime turned into a disaster.

That’s when we realized: naps were naturally phasing out (which is completely normal). But we weren’t ready to give up the downtime. So we slowly pivoted from naps to quiet time—a midday pause that didn’t rely on sleep but still gave everyone a much-needed break.

Step 1: Setting the Ground Rules

The first step was talking about what quiet time actually is—and just as importantly, what it isn’t.

We made it clear from the beginning: quiet time is not a punishment, and it’s not a forced nap. It’s a special time when they get to spend time on their own, doing calm activities, in their own space. We explained the expectations like this:

• You stay in your room

• You choose quiet, solo activities. You can sleep if you want!

• When the timer beeps, quiet time is done and mommy will come get you!

We talked about it a lot before the first day. During breakfast, during play, in the car—we casually dropped reminders so it felt familiar by the time we actually began.

Totes for quiet time

Step 2: Practice

Before we launched “official” quiet time, we did a couple practice runs. We treated them like a little game—“Let’s pretend it’s quiet time!”—and went through all the motions together:

• Pick something from your quiet time bin

• Turn on your Me Reader or Yoto (as an amazon affiliate, commissions may be earned)

• Snuggle into your cozy spot

• Stay in your room until we come get you

  
  

We even role-played what to do if they wanted to come out early, so we could show them how we’d guide them back gently. Those practice rounds gave them confidence—and gave us a chance to reinforce boundaries in a low-stress way.

Step 3: Quiet Time Bins = Instant Engagement

One thing that made quiet time way easier to implement was creating individual quiet time bins. These are simple storage bins we keep in their room, filled with low-mess, open-ended activities they can enjoy on their own.

Here’s what we rotate through their bins:

• Books (lots of them!)

• The Me Reader, which lets them "read" independently by pressing buttons for audio narration

• Yoto Mini, preloaded with audiobooks, music, and calming soundscapes

• Puzzle books, matching cards, lacing toys

• Reusable sticker pads

We switch out the contents every week or two to keep it fresh. The rule is that the bins are only for quiet time, which makes them feel a bit more special and exciting.

 Step 4: A Visual Timer

Consider using some sort of visual timer like a red light/green light system such as the Hatch light.

The timer gives the boundary. They know that when it goes off, they’re done—and until then, the expectation is that they stay in their room.

Step 5: Positive Reinforcement (A Little Goes a Long Way)

Like any new routine, quiet time needed some cheerleading at first.

We made a big deal out of early successes:

• “You stayed in your room the whole time!”

• “You looked so cozy reading your books.”

• “I’m proud of you for playing quietly and calmly.”

Eventually, the routine became second nature!

What Quiet Time Looks Like Now

Now that we’ve been doing quiet time for a few months, it’s just a normal part of the day. Right after lunch, they head to their room with their bins, or grab their books, and settle in. Some days they play quietly; some days they just relax and listen to a story. And sometimes—surprise!—they fall asleep for a short catnap.

It’s not always picture-perfect, but it’s peaceful, predictable, and restorative—for all of us.

Quick List for a smooth Nap to Quiet Time Transition

If you’re considering quiet time for your twins (or any kid dropping their nap), here’s the biggest thing to know: it takes time and consistency, but it really does work.

We eased into it with:

• Clear expectations

• Role-playing in advance

• Engaging quiet time bins

• A visual timer

• Lots of praise and encouragement

  
  

Now, our afternoons feel calmer. The girls get some independence. We get a breather. And everyone ends up in a better mood.

Quiet time gave us back a little bit of balance—and we’re so glad we stuck with it.

Thanks for reading! My name is Stellina Ferri and I am a mom to twins plus one! Helping families find balance with sleep and routines is my jam. Reach out to book a one-on-one evaluation call to find out how I can help you! Book your free call!