Here’s a sample one-nap schedule for a 2-year-old that works for most toddlers after they drop to one nap:

Ideal One-Nap Schedule (Age 2)

Time Activity

7:00 a.m. Wake up, breakfast

9:00–10:30 a.m. Active play (outdoors if possible)

11:30–12:30 p.m. Lunch

12:30–2:30 p.m. Nap (some days 1.5 hrs, some 2 hrs)

2:30–5:00 p.m. Play, snack

5:00–6:00 p.m. Calm play, dinner

6:30 p.m. Bath, books, bedtime routine

7:00–7:30 p.m. Sleep

Tips for making it work

• Early bedtime is your friend — if nap is short or skipped, put them down earlier.

  
  

• One consistent nap location — ideally their bed or cot, not the car.

  
  

• Morning activity — toddlers sleep better if they burn energy before nap.

  
  

• Avoid pushing bedtime past 8 p.m. — overtired toddlers fight sleep harder.