Take the #ClearTheCrib Challenge

An overhead view of a baby lying on their back in an empty crib. Encourage safe sleep for babies during Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month and beyond by taking the #ClearTheCrib Challenge!

This fun activity raises awareness about safe infant sleep. Try it with friends, during baby showers and parenting classes, as a relay race, or practice on your own. Share your videos with the #ClearTheCrib hashtag and invite your audiences to challenge themselves.

Watch #ClearTheCrib in Action

Challenge in Action: The #ClearTheCrib Challenge on Safe Infant Sleep

This video shows how different communities have made the #ClearTheCrib Challenge their own. Use these examples as inspiration to spread the word about safe sleep for babies.

Video Length: 0:48

Audio Description external link

On This Page

  • A crib, bassinet, portable crib, or play yard that follows the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission
  • Up to 10 pieces of “crib clutter.” Examples include:
    • Baby wipes
    • A bottle
    • A pacifier with a string (any item attached to a string or cord is a strangulation risk)
    • Soft toys or stuffed items
    • A blanket (in the crib or hanging over the side of the crib—neither is recommended)
    • A book
    • A pillow
    • A Baby Lounger
    • Extra diapers
    • Extra clothes
  • Several acceptable items for the sleep area, such as a:
    • Pacifier by itself/not attached to a string, cloth, or stuffed toy (pacifier use is only recommended *after* breastfeeding is established)
    • Fitted sheet covering the mattress
    • Doll or other object to represent a baby—if using something other than a doll, add a “BABY” label to make it clear the item is the baby
  • Digital or printed copies of the What Does A Safe Sleep Environment Look Like? handout
  • Digital or printed copies of the champion certificate (PDF 109 KB) and/or participation certificate (PDF 72 KB)
  • A stopwatch, timer app, or other timekeeping device
  • A cell phone or another video-recording device (optional)
  • For health care providers: a printed prescription (PDF 378 KB) for the activity (optional)

  1. Set up the safety-approved sleep space. Make sure there is enough room for participants to safely move around the space.
  2. Add up to 10 pieces of crib clutter and at least one of the acceptable item to the sleep area. Spread out and mix up the items so the participant has to really think about whether an item belongs in the sleep area. 

    Tip: Have a nearby box or container (such as a basket or bucket) in which to place items pulled out of the sleep space during the game.

  3. Review the game instructions and educate participant(s) on safe sleep environments, using the What Does A Safe Sleep Environment Look Like? handout.

    For health care and service providers (on site):

    • Give the participant(s) a copy of the handout to keep.
    • Discuss safe infant sleep by reviewing the handout.
    • After reviewing with the participant(s), allow them to look over the handout on their own for 1 or 2 minutes.
    • Address questions about the information as needed.

    For health care providers (prescription):

    • Give the participant(s) their prescription (PDF 378 KB) for completing the activity at home along with a copy of the handout.
    • Use this opportunity to start a thoughtful conversation about safe infant sleep.

    For baby showers or other group settings:

    • Select one person to review the handout out loud.
    • Give the participant(s) a copy of the handout to keep.
    • After the review, allow participant(s) to look over the handout on their own for 1 or 2 minutes.

    For individuals:

  4. Set a timer for 10 seconds. Give a participant 10 seconds to #ClearTheCrib. They should remove crib clutter but leave in the acceptable item(s). Before starting the timer, give the participant(s) a 3-2-1 countdown. Once the 10 seconds are up, say, “Stop.”

    Tip: Use a cell phone camera or another video recording device to record the participant(s) as they complete the activity. If posting on social media, be sure to get permission from all participants shown in the video.
  5. Count the number of correct items the participants(s) removed and left in the sleep space. If multiple people are playing, the person who removed/left in the most correct items wins! Give the winner a champion certificate, and give others participation certificates. Be sure to celebrate all participants for their interest in learning about safe sleep environments.
    • Optional: Take pictures of the participant(s) with their certificate(s) and post the pictures on a bulletin board or on social media, if appropriate.
    • Optional: Discuss the activity with participant(s) after you’ve finished. Were they surprised by any of the “unsafe” crib items? Do they have any questions? Is this something they would play with family members or friends?
  6. Optional: Share approved videos and/or images on social media using the #ClearTheCrib hashtag.

Make sure to review the Before-You-Post Checklists.

Include a safe infant sleep message with your post to help inform your followers about safe sleep for babies. You can use these messages from Safe to Sleep® as inspiration. Some other tips include the following:

  • Use #ClearTheCrib and any other parenting hashtags that you follow or use on social media.
  • Consider making your Facebook post public so it is sharable and visible to others.
  • Consider making your X (Twitter) or Instagram account public so your photo can be seen by others.

You can also show your support for SIDS Awareness Month and partners by reposting #ClearTheCrib posts from others.

And don’t forget to:

Check out these examples of #ClearTheCrib videos:

Learn more about ways to reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths.