Bedtime stories when you’re away from home

A change of scene is exciting, but it can throw bedtime right off — especially when the favourite books are sitting on a shelf at home. Here is how to keep bedtime stories going when you are travelling with kids.

Keep one thing the same

When everything else is different (a strange room, a later night, too much sun), keeping the bedtime story constant gives children an anchor. It says: even here, this part is the same. Research on children's sleep consistently shows that a consistent bedtime routine is one of the most effective ways to help children settle in unfamiliar places.

You do not need to pack the bookshelf

A story on your phone means there is always one ready, with nothing to remember and nothing to carry. It is the reason so many Tales by Tuck families say the away-from-home nights are when they value it most — a personalised bedtime story arrives by WhatsApp or email wherever you are, at the time you set.

Lean into where you are

On holiday, a tale set by the sea or up a mountain can make the day's adventure part of the story. A little personalisation goes a long way when everything else feels unfamiliar. When you set up Tales by Tuck you can tell us what your child loves, and we will weave it into every story — including the setting if you like.

Tales by Tuck arrives by WhatsApp or email wherever you are, so you are never the parent with nothing to read. Start tonight — your first week is free.