The Must-Have Toddler Routine You Can Use Every Day

How this Toddler Routine will help you Mama

Below is a routine that is all for your toddler, but it is all for you as well Mama.  I have used this toddler routine for years now. 

I have adjusted it around my schedule so I can get done what I need to. This includes being a daycare provider, cleaning my house, meal prep, etc. 

Why Having a Toddler Routine is Important

What You Should and Should Not Include in your Toddler Routine

Kids, especially little kids, do not need that much screen time.  It can have a negative effect on their brain development.

During the week, my toddlers do not have much screen time.  I mean little to none at all.  On the weekends we are freer about it though.  This is done on purpose. 

Let your kids have unstructured time in their routine, some amazing and fun things can happen.

I have seen my kids' imaginations run completely wild by creating things and playing games together. 

They also expand their big, beautiful brains and get lots of reading/looking at books time in.

We have been working on getting the following routine right for a long time.  We finally have a good flow going.  But, feel free to adjust this routine to fit your needs.

Daily Toddler Routine - Ages 1-4

6:30 a.m. - Wake Up

Depending on when you have to get going, or not go, this time may be different.  Getting them dressed right away helps little tikes know it is daytime. 

Since I am a daycare provider, it is easier if my kids are awake before the daycare kids arrive.

6:45 a.m. - Make Bed - Together

Teach your kids to make their bed.  This helps them to want to take care of their things.  Of course, at this age, you will need to help them. 

My youngest is now 4 and he can make his bed look pretty good by himself.  It just takes practice.

7:00 a.m. – Breakfast

Everyone should start the day off with something good to eat.  I don’t know how it is at your house, but my kids usually wake up hungry! 

When your kids are this young it does not have to be anything fancy.  Have toast, waffles, cereal, or oatmeal.

8:00 – 9:45 a.m. – Read and Play

Kids learn from playing and interacting with you.  Do not be afraid to get right in there and play too, even if it seems silly to you. 

I always include some time for independent play too.  This allows them to get creative with their thinking. 

It also teaches them that they do not have to be entertained by someone or something else all the time. 

Some of our favorite toys include Little People, musical instruments, hand held vehicles (this goes for both boys and girls), and big Legos which includes the Duplo or Mega. 

Some of our favorite games include Hi Ho Cherry-O, Candy Land, and Memory.

Some of our favorite books include (boys and girls love the following):  The Little Critter series, The Little Blue Truck series, The Ladybug Girl series, and the Snowman series.

We have a huge library to choose from, so they never get bored.  Thank you in part to Grandma, who was a librarian.

9:45 – 10:45 a.m. – Outside Time

Weather pending, get those kids outside.  They need time to run, jump, play, be loud and explore the world around them.  All the fresh air doesn’t hurt either. 

It also has major benefits for you, Mama. 

I wish I could tell you the how many hours we have spent on our swings.  Well worth the money!

11:00 a.m. – Lunch

Lunch for a 1 – 4-year-old kiddo does not have to be anything elaborate.  Try to keep offering them a variety of healthy foods, even if they have rejected it before. 

Some of my kids will at least try everything.  I do have those stubborn ones that put up a big stink from time to time. 

I usually try to make just a bit extra for supper the night before, then have the leftovers for lunch. 

You have to try to save some time and make it easy where you can.

12:00 – 2:00 p.m. – Rest

By this time of the day, your kids will need some type of rest, I know mine do.   

All of my kids were super nappers.  But around that 4-year-old mark, they started to wean themselves from naps. 

If this is the case you can try two different things to let them have a break. 

1. Your kiddo can still lay down for a short bit. 
2. Or, try having them “read to self” for a set amount of time.  This will help them to become more interested in reading.

2:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Read and Play

Sometimes, your little one will have a hard time waking up.  This is a great time to snuggle and read. 

Other times they wake up raring to go.  Bring on the playing.

My 4-year-old is loving these books, which are found on Amazon: Go Dog Go, The Best Nest, and The Diggingest Dog.

3:00 p.m. – Snack

It is time to eat something, again.  Offer your child a healthy snack.  Try to include some protein to help keep them fuller for longer. 

If you haven’t noticed by now, your kids are constantly on the move.  Try following them around for a day, doing exactly what they do. 

You will be burning calories like crazy.

3:30 – 4:00 p.m. – Read and Play

If you have more than one child, I bet they eat at different paces.  All of my kids and the daycare kids get done with their snacks at different times.

Let the ones who are done early have some independent free play while waiting for everyone else to get done.

4:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Outside

It is time to go back outside.  And by this time, I can bet your kiddo is ready for it. 

They have had a rest and a snack.  They are re-energized and ready to get crazy. 

Being outside a second time helps a huge amount to wear them out for bed. 

5:00 – 6:00 p.m. – Play

While you are getting supper ready, let your little one play in the kitchen near you. 

Since my youngest is 4, he will usually color at this time for a bit.  Then he finds some toys to play with or reads some books.

6:00 – 6:45 p.m. – Supper

Time for supper.  Make sure you are having the same meal that they are.  It is easier for them to try something if they see you doing it too. 

Try to keep offering them a variety of healthy foods, even if they have rejected it before. 

Hopefully, you can get them to eat a good amount of food and fill up their tummies.  This will help them get a better night's sleep.

After all the hard playing my kids put in since snack, they are more than ready to gobble down supper.

6:45 – 7:15 p.m. – Get Ready For Bed

Have a bedtime routine.  Your kids are starting to crash, and they may lose it in a big way.  This part of the day will go so much smoother with one. 

This is what our bedtime routine looks like:

• Take your plate to the sink (I started doing this when they could walk, I helped hold the plate of course)
• Some nights a quick bath or shower is in order (here it happens about every 3 nights)
• Get pajamas on
• Have them put their dirty clothes in the basket (they love to be little helpers so let them help)
• Set out clothes for the next day
• Floss and brush teeth
• Do some calming activities until bedtime (No screen time!!!  Do NOT re-stimulate their little brains.  You are trying to calm them down.)

7:45 – 8:00 p.m. – Bed

Bedtime!  After your child either has their diaper changed or gone to the bathroom, it is time to help them get in bed.

We give lots of hugs and kisses and then snuggle our kids into bed. 

When they first changed from a crib to an actual bed, we had to sit in their room for a couple of minutes so they wouldn't get out of bed. 

Now they are so tired, they hardly ever get out of bed.