Getting Out the Door with a Toddler: 7 Morning Hacks for Smoother Starts
•Posted on May 20 2025
If your morning routine with a toddler feels like running a marathon before 8am, you're not alone. From last-minute nappy changes to breakfast negotiations, getting out the door on time can feel nearly impossible. But with a few clever tweaks, your mornings can go from chaotic to (almost) calm.
Here are 7 tried-and-true hacks to help you and your toddler start the day smoothly — and maybe even enjoy it.
1. Prep the Night Before
Lay out clothes, pack bags, and get breakfast items ready before you go to bed. Choosing outfits the night before (including yours!) saves time and tantrums — especially if your toddler insists on “helping” with fashion choices.
💡 Top tip: Let your toddler choose between two pre-approved outfit options. This gives them a sense of independence without slowing things down.
2. Stick to a Predictable Routine
Toddlers thrive on routine. Create a simple morning sequence like: wake up → potty/nappy change → get dressed → breakfast → teeth → shoes → go. Repeating the same steps every day helps your child know what to expect — and what comes next.
🖼️ Bonus idea: Use a picture-based routine chart so your toddler can follow along visually.
3. Keep Breakfast Simple (But Fun!)
Avoid ambitious breakfasts on busy mornings. Stick to quick, nutritious options like toast with peanut butter, yoghurt with fruit, or overnight oats.
🎉 Hack it: Make breakfast feel special with a fun plate or a “breakfast picnic” at the table — just enough novelty to get them excited to eat and move things along.
4. Dress from the Bottom Up
You’re not officially ready to leave until the socks are on. And if they’re stay-on socks? Even better! Start with the hardest bits first — socks, shoes, jacket — so you're not chasing a half-dressed toddler five minutes before leaving.
🧦 Pro tip: Our non-slip, stay-on socks are a parent’s best friend on busy mornings — they go on easily and actually stay put.
5. Create a Leaving-the-House Basket
Have a basket by the door with everything you need: nappies, wipes, snacks, spare clothes, water bottle, sunscreen. You’ll save yourself the last-minute scramble of searching for essentials as you try to get out the door.
6. Build in Buffer Time
If you need to leave at 8:30, aim to be ready by 8:15. Toddlers are experts at surprise delays — like sudden meltdowns over which toy to bring. That buffer time gives you space to breathe and deal with the unexpected.
7. Make Leaving a Game
Getting out the door doesn’t have to be a battle. Turn it into a game! Set a timer and “race the clock,” march out like dinosaurs, or have a “put on your shoes” dance party.
🎵 Remember: The more fun it is, the faster it happens.
Final Thoughts
No morning with a toddler is ever truly predictable — but with these small changes, you can make your routine more manageable (and even enjoyable!). The key is preparation, consistency, and a little creative thinking.
And if all else fails? Breathe, laugh, and know that you’re doing an amazing job. ❤️
👣 Make Mornings Easier with Our Stay-On Toddler Socks
Shop our best-selling non-slip, stay-on socks — designed to keep little feet comfy, safe, and out the door on time.
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