The key to a good summer routine for kids is in offering a mix of structure and spontaneity. Summer is a great time for kids to catch up on rest, make memories with their siblings, have fun with peers, and go on adventure days with you, Mama! It’s also a grand time for children to learn at their own pace, pick up new skills, grow in character, develop positive habits, and engage in a whole lot of free play.
During the summer, I like to make simple memories at home, increase outdoor play, read a few great books, and surprise the kids with special Mommy Adventure days to both new and old favorite spots.
Here are some Screen Free Mom freebies to help you establish a summer routine you and your child will absolutely love!
Summer Schedule For Kids free printable package includes:
- A sample summer morning routine checklist
- Summer routine for kids with a spot for you to fill in your child’s morning, afternoon, and evening tasks
- Summer chore chart for kids & checklist to keep track of their tasks
- Summer reading chart & outdoor play tracker
- Summer wish list where your children can fill in things they would like to do, places they’d like to go, or toys they’d like to have to use during the summer
- 2024 summer memories page for your family to record special moments to look back on
Grab all the freebies here
Easy Summer Daily Schedule For Kids
What is the best summer routine for kids?
When creating a summer schedule for kids, consider the following questions with your spouse.
- What are your must haves for your kid’s summer schedule? Think about things like free play, outside time, chores, independent reading, exercise, sibling play time, family connection, and skill practice.
- What time do you want your child to wake up by? If your family thrives in the morning or you have places to be, consider an earlier wake up time. But if you are a little more laid back, perhaps you will want to let your child sleep until they naturally wake up. The less screen time and the more outdoor play / natural exercise a child gets during the day, the better they will most likely sleep at night and the more likely that they will rise at a desirable time.
- When is your ideal bed time? Consider having a time when everyone should have brushed their teeth, used the bathroom, and put on pajamas by but also consider flexibility when it comes to lights out. Summer is great time to allow for an extra thirty minutes of reading great books in bed before lights out.
- Will most days look the same for your kid or do you have certain activities, extracurriculars, and time at grandparent’s homes scheduled for specific days of the week?
- How much screen time are you comfortable with in the summer? Personally, our family has found that summer is an excellent time to detox from technology. This blog is full of resources to help you limit screen time for your kids, but whatever you decide make sure to decide it in advance and create clear tech time boundaries on your child’s summer routine sheet.
How do I keep my child on a summer schedule?
Grab the free printable summer routine for kids above in the green box. Post it to your fridge for your child to reference each day. Remind your child to follow their schedule. Allow them to color in shapes or check off boxes on their routine sheet, reading tracker, and outdoor play tracker. Provide fun incentives for successful days of following their schedule such as a new book or an outing to get ice cream with the family.
Visual timers are also a great way to keep kids on a schedule. Set a timer and let your child know what they are supposed to be doing during that time.
Don’t forget to give your kiddo grace as they adjust to their new rhythm at home, especially if you have chosen to reduce screen time in their schedule. Summer is the perfect time for a digital detox, but it may take your child some time to adjust if they are used to unlimited access to electronic devices.
Include a few days in your week in which the kids don’t have to follow their schedule to a tee. Provide supplies your child might enjoy and allow them to freely follow their interests on off days.
How can I engage my kids at home in the summer?
Although devices have made disconnection in families commonplace, engaging kids actually isn’t that hard. Power down the technology (both yours and theirs) and try these simple tips to engage your kids at home.
- Talk to them and truly listen. Put away your phone, smile, make eye contact, and enjoy conversations with your awesome kid!
- Share in their interests. Let them teach you something they know how to do even if it’s not something you would have chosen on your own. My daughter gives me knitting lessons and it is a hilarious time. She is so skilled and I am a slow learner, but I love every minute of it. My son wants to teach me how to play chess. One of my summer goals is to make time and space for that.
- Work on a big puzzle with your kids little by little, day by day.
- Read them great books (no matter how old they are!)
- Cook with them. Try new recipes and pass on old family favorites to them. Make a recipe book together.
- Invite them in on your interests. What do you love to do? Garden? Work on cars? Sew quilts? Teach your children. One of my favorite things to do is to write stories. I’d like to write a picture book with my children this summer in which everyone makes up a unique part.
- Learn a new skill together. Take a lesson, class, or ask a friend if you and your kid can come to their home to learn something new.
- Take walks, bike rides, and swim together. Get outside in the fresh air and simply be with your child. Jump on the trampoline with them. Read a book nearby while you watch them play. Take time to admire their forts and sandcastles.
How do I entertain my kids all summer?
Kids don’t need parents or screens to “entertain” them. When given time, space, and an imagination loaded up on good stories from frequent read aloud sessions, children will naturally fill their time with creative play. Remove screen time, read to your kids, and get them outdoors for several hours a day when the weather is fair.
Here are some other ideas:
- Weekly park playdates with friends
- Grab some board games and decks of cards and start a weekly family game night tradition. Also, institute sibling time and have the kids play each other in chess during the day
- Host people over for dinner (extended family, friends, neighbors, and church family)
- See what free programs your nature center has to offer
- Look out for summer festivals nearby and in neighboring towns
- Check out your local day camps for kids
- Invest in lessons your child would enjoy (crochet, drawing, foreign language, karate swimming)
- Take your kid to an outdoor bluegrass concert or see a band your family would enjoy
- Help your child develop a skill and set aside time in their daily routine for practice
- Join a short term summer sports league