Getting kids to bed

Im a big believer in kids needing to go to bed and getting a good nights sleep too (and big kids, eg, "kids" our age too )

Caitlyn is 6 , her bedtime routine has always been the same, dinner, warm relaxing bath , story , a song and lights out .
Pretty simple , and so long as the bed is warm and comfy shes usually fine, unless shes being a rogue .
In colder months I put a polar fleece blanket under her to lie on , to make it extra warm

When I was trying to get Ivy to stay in bed longer I told her that I was happy for her to look at a book quietly in bed (this was in the mornings though), until it was time to get up. Maybe you could try something like that? Tell them when bedtime is, then give them a half hour or so to read if they want before you turn the lights out for the night? Might get them to unwind a little by having that quiet time before sleep.

They are definately old enough to sit down and talk to them about it, tell them the routine that will take place, dinner, bath, teeth, stories, lights out etc. Mention it at the start of the day and then ask them at dinner time if they remember what was going to happen at bedtime that night. If they can repeat something back to you then they have definately learnt and understood. Remind them if they have forgotten, repetition is really important for young children.
I bet you they will actually love the routine once they get used to the idea of it. All children really want is your time, comfort and security and a good bedtime routine is essential for that.