How about experimenting with this …
Get them tired and then let them sleep early.
1. Get them to do some physical exercise like playing fetch the ball or run 20 laps by pretending to be playing catch …
2. Don’t feed them sweets.
3. Give them a big meal.
4. Turn up the heater.
5. Sit infront of the telly but let them watch some boring movie that required concentration.
6. Give them a warm cup of milk or mango lassi (yogurt drink here’s how to make it.). Mango lassi is really effective even I doze off after drinking a cup of it after a meal at the Indian restaurant.
Or just give them mango lassi if you can do 1 – 5.
Then relax and see them doze off …
p/s: disclaimer … I have no children so try it at your own risk.
7. Chewkw just volunteered to babysit while you go down the pub.