Everyday growingBella’s Very Dark Night Pack
For little ones scared of the dark: gentle steps, shadow play and night-time noises.
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Free printable pack · Bedtime worries
Bella’s Bedtime Wobbles
A gentle pack for children who find bedtime wobbly, from shadows and sounds to bad dreams and being apart. Make a calm routine with Bella and Gus, and a simple plan for what helps.
Email me this packFree · Printable PDF · No book needed
What’s inside
Bella tells Gus, “Sometimes the shadows feel big,” and Gus listens. These free printables help children say what feels wobbly at bedtime and choose small, comforting steps with their grown-up. Talking counts. Asking counts. Comfort counts.
- What feels wobbly at bedtime? Picture choices for shadows, sounds, bad dreams, being away from my grown-up and more.
- My bedtime steps, and Bella’s shadow discovery, a daytime shadow-matching and flashlight activity.
- Goodnight Collyvale, a soft read-aloud with Wilf’s slow breaths, and My bedtime plan with a worry-keeper.
- If I wake in the night, a cut-out reassurance card, and a page for grown-ups on nightmares, night terrors and when to get advice.
Your child doesn’t need to sleep alone or stop feeling afraid to have made progress. A dim light, an open door and quiet company are all fine.
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Who this pack is for
This pack is for children aged around 2 to 7 who find bedtime hard, and for the grown-ups who settle them. It covers bedtime worries in general: shadows and sounds, bad dreams, waking in the night and not wanting to be apart. If the dark itself is the main worry, Bella’s Very Dark Night Pack goes into that in more detail.
How to use it together
- Talk in the daytime. Look at What feels wobbly at bedtime? when your child is relaxed, not at bedtime itself.
- Keep a familiar routine. Choose the bedtime steps that fit your family and keep them in the same order each night.
- Agree a bedtime plan. Decide on the light, the door, a comfort thing, and how your child can call you if they need help.
- Be a dependable worry-keeper. Keep the worry safe until morning, then talk about it again, just as you promised.
- Celebrate telling and asking. Praise your child for telling you how they feel, rather than for having a quiet night.
Questions grown-ups ask
What age is it for?
The suggested range is ages 2–7, with a grown-up alongside. Younger children can point and color; older children may like to draw or write their own bedtime plan.
Is it really free?
Yes. The 8-page printable pack is free. Joining A Little Letter from Collyvale, our monthly email, is optional and separate.
Do I need the Collyvale book?
No. The pack works on its own. Bella’s story continues in Bella and the Very Dark Night, but there is no need to read it first.
How is this different from Bella’s Very Dark Night Pack?
This pack covers bedtime worries in general, including bad dreams, waking in the night and not wanting to be apart. Bella’s Very Dark Night Pack focuses on fear of the dark: shadows, night-time noises and small steps towards a calmer bedtime. Many families find the two work well together.
How do I get it?
Enter your email address in the form above. We’ll email you the download link so you can save the PDF and print the pages you want. Check your junk folder if it hasn’t arrived.
Can I print it more than once?
Yes, you can print extra copies for your own family, for example a new bedtime plan as things change. Print on A4. For the cut-out reassurance card, print single-sided, or double-sided with “flip on long edge”.
Can I share it or use it at school?
Yes, please print it for your own family, classroom, preschool or group. If you’d like to share it, send people the link to this page rather than the PDF. The packs, stories and characters are © Brendan Martin, Collyvale. Please don’t sell them, or upload them to other websites, including in changed form.
When should I get advice?
Speak to your doctor if your child snores loudly or has pauses in their breathing, has frequent night terrors or sleepwalking, or if sleep problems are affecting their daytime mood, energy or activities. This pack is not a substitute for professional advice.
Who makes Collyvale's packs?
Collyvale is made by Brendan Martin, a father and grandfather who wanted to help families through everyday wobbles. Read more about Collyvale.
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Get this free packCollyvale provides general information, stories and family activities. It is not a medical or mental-health service and does not replace professional advice. If a child's worry is persistent, severe or interfering with everyday life, speak to their school, school nurse or doctor. If you're worried about your own wellbeing, please talk to your doctor. You can also find trusted information at healthychildren.org.