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Tomorrow One Thing

At bedtime, each person names one thing they are looking forward to tomorrow. Brief, forward-looking, ends the day with anticipation.

Cartoon illustration of a parent and child at home: at bedtime, each person names one thing they are looking forward to tomorrow.
  • Age2 to 11 years
  • TimeUnder 5 minutes
  • EnergyCalm
  • CostFree
  • WhereIndoors
  • PrepNone

At bedtime, each person: child and adult: names one thing they're looking forward to tomorrow. Takes under a minute. Ends the day looking forward rather than back.

How to do it

  1. When your child is settled for bed, say "Before sleep, one thing you're looking forward to tomorrow."
  2. You share yours first. Keep it small and honest, such as "I'm looking forward to my coffee in the morning" or "I want to call Grandma." It doesn't have to be exciting.
  3. Your child shares theirs. Accept whatever they say; "lunch" is as valid as "my birthday party."
  4. That's the whole ritual. No elaboration needed. Say goodnight and move on.

Signs it is working

Your child starts offering their thing before you finish asking. On some nights they've clearly been thinking about it. On difficult days, when nothing obviously good is coming, they still find something small, which is the point

If it is not quite clicking

Your child says "nothing" or "I don't know": Share yours and leave theirs open; the ritual still happens. They choose something that can't actually happen tomorrow (a trip months away): Redirect gently: "What about something that's definitely tomorrow?" The ritual extends into long planning conversations: That's fine occasionally but hold the short form most nights; sustainability depends on brevity

Make it yours

Younger (2-3 years): Prompt with two options, such as "Are you looking forward to breakfast or playing with your car?" Choice is easier than open invention. Older (8 years and up): Can share more detail if they want to; let it expand naturally. Hard periods: When a child is anxious or a period is difficult, this ritual's forward-looking structure is particularly useful; it closes the day on possibility rather than difficulty.

Try this with your child.

Tell PLAI™ about your child and this moment. It shapes the activity to fit.

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