Bedtime hell!

[TiggeryBear]

I have a 4 year old DD & a 2 year old DS. They share a bedroom due to space constraints. This used to work well as DS would go to bed (fall asleep easily) before DD who would then go to bed & fall asleep happily.
However; in the last 6 weeks or so EVERYTHING has gone to pot. Almost 2 hours later neither are asleep. DP & I are at our wit's end.
We have tried (in no particular order) ignoring them, separating them, naughty spots, reward charts, no TV after school.
Our routine hasn't really changed; dinner (5-5.30pm) followed by showers (we don't have a bath) pj's, (perhaps a card matching game if still not calm), story then teeth & into bed by 7-7.30pm
I don't know what to do. 😫
Any suggestions gratefully received.

A later bed time? When do they get up in the morning?

Are they actually tired? Maybe spend an hour at the playground before tea. Also cut out any squash or anything with artificial additives, salty or sweet food at dinner, as these screw with sleeping patterns. Presumably your son has dropped all naps now?

Could you let the 4 year old go to sleep in your bed, and move her to hers while asleep when you are ready to go to bed. Can combine with dream wee if you are doing that.

But maybe try later bedtime first as others have suggested.

You could also try a folding screen between their beds so they can't see each other. You can't force them to fall asleep but you can make a stay in bed rule and no talking rule. Not being able to see each other might help them not be able to wind each other up.

We've tried moving bedtime later, they just carry on for longer 😴 we're having to wake them in the mornings so they are obviously tired.
DS dropped naps about a year ago as he would go down after lunch happily & sleep for 2 hours or so & then not go to sleep at bedtime until gone midnight which drew a vicious circle.
DD requires constant supervision if in my bed - too much temptation to play with my hand cream etc & to watch TV (same set up as downstairs so she knows how to use it 🤦‍♀️) but I guess we could try that.
A folding screen is a good idea but I do have vivid memories of my sister & I playing "peekaboo" around something similar at bedtime (we also shared a room).
I don't mind them being awake in their beds, just as long as they are quiet as I need a nap before I start work at 10pm 😴

If you go to work at 10pm and need a nap beforehand - is it possible for you to cosleep with your daughter? She might be more likely to go to sleep quickly and you can stop her messing around?
I know some kids are less likely to sleep when cosleeping (thinking it is play time) so apologies if you considered that already and discounted it

Going against the grain and saying earlier bedtime! At least for the 2 year old. My DD was in bed and asleep by 6.30pm at the latest when she was 4, more like 6pm when she was 2 and at the age of 6 has just adjusted to a 7pm bedtime. It sounds like they're potentially overtired which is manifesting as manic.

Omg I could have written this post!!!! If my 2yo hasn't napped then I can put her to bed first and 4yo goes down like a dream after as she feels like she's had more attention etc. But if the 2yo naps or they need to go to bed together for some reason it's pure torture 😭 just got the youngest to sleep now. I tried dropping the 2yo nap completely but nursery are insisting on giving her 45 mins as otherwise she cries all afternoon :(