Are you dreading a repeat of last summer’s chaos, feeling like all you did was work without a plan? You’re definitely not alone if your last summer break felt lacking.
This year, let’s make a change and create an awesome summer schedule for kids that balances both fun and structure! I’ve found a way to balance it all, even when my twins were little momma!
I’ll share my personal strategy – that worked wonders – along with access to a free printable summer routine kit. This kit will help you plan everything out.
Let’s make this summer vacation fulfilling and fun for both you and the kids! It’s time to create a summer to remember!
Main Points
I know you’re super busy, momma, so let’s cut to the chase.
Here’s the main points of this post:
- Balance fun activities with necessary structure. Set specific times for relaxation, play, and learning.
- Integrate fun and stimulating educational activities like reading, educational apps, or DIY science experiments.
- Utilize warm weather for outdoor adventures like beach trips, hikes, or park days. Fresh air and physical activity are beneficial.
- Allocate time for creative activities such as arts and crafts, music, or dance to foster creativity and self-expression.
- Avoid overscheduling and ensure sufficient free time for kids to explore interests or relax.
- Maintain a routine but remain open to spontaneous fun and changing plans as moods and opportunities arise.
Remember, the goal is to create a summer that’s enjoyable for everyone, filled with laughter, learning, and lots of memorable moments!
How To Create a Summer Schedule For Kids
Block scheduling has transformed our summer days. Instead of an unstructured day, we break it down into manageable chunks.
Think of it as a puzzle, each piece representing a part of your day, tailored to your family’s needs.
In the morning, we engage in creative activities or outdoor play to enjoy the cooler temperatures. Afternoons are for quieter, indoor activities like reading or crafts, as it gets warmer. Evenings are for family time, like backyard barbecues or movie nights.
This approach balances fun and relaxation, keeping the day structured yet flexible. It gives the kids something to look forward to, reducing boredom.
For parents, it offers a planning framework without being too rigid. By dividing our day into these blocks, we ensure a summer that’s both enriching and relaxing.
Let’s dive into each block.
1. Create a Pre-Morning Routine
Pre-morning is your chunk of time before your kiddos get up. Your pre-morning routine is your time to do your own stuff, momma.
This can be anything that you want. Create your own little morning routine and insert it here.
Some ideas could include:
- Eat breakfast alone with your husband
- Bible study and prayer
- Exercise
- Work
- Read
- Journal
- Cleaning up the house
Or literally anything else that you would enjoy doing, without your kids around.
2. Create a Morning Routine
This is when your kids get up. Your morning routine starts from whenever you all start your day until lunchtime.
The morning block should be lively and engaging, filled with activities that set a positive tone for the day. Of course, you will also want to have breakfast, get dressed, brush your teeth, etc. 😉
Here are some ideas to get you and your little ones excited:
- Outside Play
- Creative Play
- Independent Play
- Educational Play
- Crafts
- Reading
- Field Trips
- Join Clubs & Sports
Remember, the goal is not to fill every minute but to provide structure and variety. The best activities are those that allow for both learning and fun, adapting to your child’s interests and energy levels.
3. Implement an Afternoon Routine
Once lunch is over, we transition into the afternoon block, where we balance rest and productivity. This period is perfect for a bit of quiet time, especially for younger children who might still need naps.
Nap time isn’t just beneficial for them; it’s a golden opportunity for you, too, to catch up on work or enjoy a moment of peace.
Afternoon activities can vary, but here are some suggestions:
- Quiet Time
- Work Time for You
- Play Outside
- Hands-On Projects
- Field Trips
- Join Clubs and Sports
The afternoon is a mix of calm and creativity, ensuring everyone gets the rest they need while also allowing for productive and enjoyable activities. Remember, the key is finding what works best for your family’s rhythm and needs, making each day fulfilling and balanced.
4. Establish an Evening Routine
The evening block marks the transition from the day’s activities into night, focusing on winding down and preparing for restful sleep. This time is special for connecting and reflecting on the day together.
Here are some comforting evening activities to consider:
- Dinner Time
- Outside Play
- Bath Time
- Quiet Play
- Story Time
- Bed Time
I am a firm believer in coming together as a family at the end of the day. End your day with your bedtime routine, including a bath, to wind down.
Speaking of bedtime, here are some little bedtime rituals we used, to make our evenings go so much smoother. 😉
- Pretending to eat them up
- Tickling them
- “Flying” them into bed (when they were really little)
- Singing silly good night songs with their names in them
You don’t have to use them all, of course. But choose ones that work for you and create a little routine out of them.
Just be creative and do whatever makes the bedtime transition fun and safe.
Weekly Summer Schedule Ideas
I’ve whipped up a few sample summer schedules that are all super fun and nicely structured, so that your kids can have a blast this summer! These schedules are all based on schedules I used to use, when the twins were younger.
I’m also including the schedules I use now, too!
Whether it’s mixing in some educational fun, making sure we’re soaking up plenty of sunshine outdoors, or carving out peaceful nooks for reading and crafts, my aim is to guide you in creating a summer that’s bursting with enrichment and laughter.
And hey, remember, flexibility is the magic word – feel free to tweak these ideas to perfectly match your family’s vibes and interests.
Sample Summer Schedules For Kids
And if you’re looking for daily sample schedules, here’s a few ideas for a variety of different ages! I’ve used these myself over the years, momma!
Summer Schedule for Infants and Toddlers
Babies sleep a lot. So, chances are, you’ll be able to create your infant summer schedule around your own summer schedule.
But if you need to learn more about creating a routine for your baby, check out this post.
As your baby becomes a toddler, you’ll need a little more structure.
If you want to learn more about creating a summer schedule for your toddler, read my post on creating a daily schedule for your toddler. 😉
Summer Preschool Schedule
Here’s how I structured my days at home when the kids were all little! 💕
Summer Sample Schedule for Kindergarten
A kindergartener’s summer schedule will look similar to a preschooler, although they no longer nap. A rest or quiet time is good, though.
Summer Schedule for Elementary Students
When your kids get older, your routine gets more relaxed, momma! I’m loving mine, and am really looking forward to this summer!!
Summer Family Schedule
Up until now, I’ve been focusing on what your child’s summertime schedule could look like. But what about the rest of the fam?
So, these schedules are just samples. You can swap out any activity you want for something else instead. We’ll go into that more in a bit. 😉
Free Printable Summer Routine For Kids
If you need a little help sorting this all out, momma, no problems! I created an awesome free printable summer schedule kit for you!!
In it, you will find:
- 3 summer bucket lists
- 5 summer block schedules
- 12 printable daily schedules
- A summer filler activity list
- 6 summer meal planners
- 6 summer “sahm” lesson unit planners
- 5 summer chore charts
All in fun summer colors, for you to mix and match, and use how you like!
Happy Planning! 😍
What To Include In Your Summer Routine
Our routines are going to look a lot different, yours and mine. Our kids are different ages, we have different values, and widely different lifestyles.
But there are a few things that should be built into every child’s routine:
- Quiet time – Things like reading, puzzles, board games, videos, screen time, coloring, crafts, etc.
- Reading – Build in regular story time, and read together.
- Outside time – Your kids need to go outside at least once every day.
- Independent play – Independent play is when your child plays by himself.
- Structured play – Structured play is when your kiddos play something that follows a set of rules, step-by-step instructions. It might be things like a board game, outside yard games, crafts, learning activities, etc. Usually, structured play is led by an adult, but it doesn’t always have to be.
- Free play – This is when your children can play anyway they want to! It can be structured or unstructured, child-led or mom-led, creative, or independent play.
- Learning activities – Crafts, music lessons, teachable moments, and sports practices.
- Field trips – Summer is the perfect time to visit the park, the local library, splash pad, water park, pool, Children’s Museum, zoo, etc.
- Socialization – Play dates or extra-curricular activities, such as summer rec, swimming lessons, etc.
- Family time – It is important to spend time together, every day. We do this in the evenings at my house, but you can do it whenever it works best for your schedule.
- One-on-one quality time – Younger kids need time alone, with just mom, or just dad, without any brothers or sisters. Even if it is just for ten minutes.
Of course, your kid needs regular mealtimes, bed and nap times, and bath times. 😉
FAQs
Now, I bet you have a few questions swirling around in your head about how all of this works, so let’s dive into some frequently asked questions to help clear things up.
How do you structure summer days for kids?
I’ve found that a flexible framework allows you to maintain a consistent daily routine filled with activities you love.
Start and end your day with a routine. Aim for consistency in your mornings and evenings by engaging in the same activities, in the same order, at similar times every day.
As for the middle of your day, keep it open for spontaneous fun! This could be free time, planned activities, or outings – whatever brings you joy.
Let the day’s flow guide your activities. After all, that’s what summer is all about!
How do I keep my child on a summer schedule?
Keeping your child on a summer schedule doesn’t have to be a struggle, momma. It’s all about finding that perfect balance between structure and flexibility.
Try implementing a few consistent routines like regular meal times, a bedtime routine, and specific blocks for activities. Engage your child in planning these activities so they feel involved and excited about their day.
Remember, it’s okay to have some unscheduled time. It allows for creativity and spontaneous fun.
But most importantly, stay patient and supportive; it may take a few tries to find what works best for your family.
What is the best daily routine for kids?
The best daily routine for kids? It’s like baking the perfect cookie—there’s a basic recipe, but the magic’s in the mix-ins!
Start with a generous scoop of laughter, a cup of creativity (messy paints and mud pies welcome), and sprinkle in plenty of playtime. Mix in some structured activities like reading or puzzles for a dash of learning.
Don’t forget a big dollop of outdoor adventures to taste. And – very important, add a pinch of chill time—because everyone needs a moment to breathe (yes, even you, momma!).
Remember, the key ingredient is flexibility. Some days you’ll follow the recipe; other days, you’ll throw it out the window and make ice cream sundaes for dinner.
And that’s more than okay—it’s perfect!
Why should kids have a daily summer schedule?
Giving kids a daily summer schedule adds structure to their playful days, blending the spontaneous joy of summer with the security of routine. This balance helps children feel grounded and provides a sense of normalcy, making transitions between school years smoother.
It’s not about restricting fun but enhancing it by ensuring kids get a mix of activities that nourish their bodies, minds, and spirits. Plus, a little planning goes a long way in preventing the all-too-common summer slide in learning.
Remember, the goal is to create a flexible structure that leaves plenty of room for summer adventures and downtime alike.
What is the difference between a summer schedule and a summer routine?
The difference between a summer schedule and a summer routine lies in their flexibility and focus.
A summer schedule is more structured, outlining specific activities or learning goals for set times of the day or week, aiming to provide a clear plan for how time is spent. It’s like a roadmap for summer days, ensuring a balance between fun, learning, and rest.
On the other hand, a summer routine is more about establishing a consistent rhythm for daily activities—wake-up times, meals, play, and bedtime—without being strictly tied to the clock. It’s gentler and focuses on creating a predictable flow to the day rather than a detailed itinerary.
Both aim to give children a balance of predictability and freedom but approach it in different ways to suit various needs and preferences.
At The End Of The Day…
At the end of the day, what matters most to me is creating heartfelt summertime memories with my children. I believe in the magic of balancing freedom with a bit of structure, allowing us to explore, learn, and grow together in the warmth of the summer sun.
Every laugh, every discovery, and every moment of wonder spent with them is a treasure. In nurturing their curiosity and joy, I am reminded of the simple pleasures that make life so precious.
It’s these moments, framed by our summer schedule and routines, that build the unforgettable summers we’ll all look back on with fondness.
Whether we’re planning everything down to the last detail or just going with the flow, the aim is always to make every summer an awesome collection of memories we’ve created together.
