Want to know a great daily summer routine for kids you can use this summer that will make every day easier? Girl, this routine has been tested and adjusted for years and is a piece of cake for you to follow.
If you do not follow a routine already, starting one for your school-aged kids can be tough. As a mom of 4 kids, and a daycare provider, I am going to share the daily summer routine for kids I use to ensure they have the best day possible.
You are going to learn about how to start their day, how to help them get ready for bed, and how to make the most of the time in between.
After learning about this routine, you are going to feel like you will have a better daily rhythm during the summer with your child.
Let's jump into the best daily summer routine for kids that will make your life easier.
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Best Summer Routine For Kids
How this routine will help you Mama
Below is a routine that is all for your child, but it is all for you as well Mama. I have used this summer routine for kids at my house for years now.
It has been adjusted 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 Summer Routine For Your Kids Is Important
- Kids of any age thrive on a schedule
- They like knowing what to expect, they like the structure
- Fewer meltdowns when they are on a schedule, and yes even older kids will break down from time to time
What you should and should not include
Kids, do not need that much screen time. It can have a negative effect on their brain development.
During the week, my kids do not have much screen time. I mean little to none at all. It is so easy to let them have it but don’t do it!
On the weekends we are freer about it though.
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, exploring the world around them, and playing games together.
They also expand their big, beautiful brains and get lots of reading time in.
We have been working on getting the following summer daily routine right for a long time and finally have a good flow going.
But, feel free to adjust this routine to fit your needs.
Daily Summer Routine for Kids
6:30 a.m. - Wake Up
If your kids are like mine, most days they drag their feet about getting out of bed.
During the summer I am still a daycare provider. It makes everything easier if my kids are up and ready for their day before the daycare kids arrive.
6:40 a.m. - Get Dressed
Have your child get dressed after they go to the bathroom. It will give them a bit of energy to get moving for the day.
My kids pick out their clothes the night before so this step does not take forever.
6:45 a.m. - Make Bed
You can teach your child how to be responsible for their items by having them make their bed every morning.
It will start out looking a little crazy but resist fixing it. Instead, praise them for their efforts. This will help build their confidence.
Their skills will get better. My 4-year-old’s bed looks pretty good.
6:50 a.m. - Breakfast
Sometimes kids will eat in a flash. Other times, they are so slow!
Luckily my kids do not get crazy about what they eat for breakfast so it usually doesn't take that long.
Some easy breakfast go-to’s include: toast, bagels, toaster waffles, cereal, eggs, and yogurt.
Right after they are done eating, have them brush their teeth and comb/brush their hair.
7:20 a.m. - Read and Play
Let your kids wander off (I don’t mean off your property) and have some independent time. Allow them to use their imagination for a while.
KIDS DO NOT HAVE TO BE ENTERTAINED ALL THE TIME.
We have a subscription to Ranger Rick and Ranger Rick Jr. magazine and my kids love reading these in the morning.
8:15 a.m. - School Practice
It is so easy to not practice school or read during the summer.
But oh man, this hurts kids when they try to get back into the swing of things when school starts in the fall. Summer slide is no joke!
My kids, preschool and up, practice school every weekday of summer, unless we are on a vacation.
It is not anything long.
I love this series of workbooks. You can find books through 6th grade, I believe.
The books are very engaging for my kids.
It may be a science experiment we complete together.
This science experiment book is full of ideas to try.
We do a science experiment once or twice a week and the kids go nuts over it.
It could be creative writing for a certain amount of time. Grab a note book with a fun cover and let their imaginations run wild.
Anything that will keep them engaged with learning is helpful.
9:20 a.m. - Outside Time
Kids are supposed to spend their summer days outside! Put on some sunscreen and bug spray and go out.
This is my favorite sunscreen for kids. It applies quick and even.
And this is my favorite face sunscreen for kids. My kids have not been sunburned yet!
Whether it is in your yard, at the park, or on a walk, they will find interesting things to see and do.
11:00 a.m. - Lunch
With all that time to run and play, your kids will be hungry.
Here it seems my kids eat larger meals during the summer than the winter. They are just on the move more.
Full tummies make for happier kids, so eat up. Try to load their plates with lots of healthy options.
12:00 p.m. - Rest
Even your school-age kids get tired and need to rest a bit. Let them relax with a calming activity for about ½ hour.
If you get to be home with them, grab a book yourself, sit together but read your own books quietly.
12:30 p.m. - Play/Theme Time
Help your kids from sinking into the “I’m bored”. It takes a small bit of planning but your kids will have way more fun and stay busy.
Since I am a daycare provider, I try to make summer as fun as possible. Each day of the week for the past multiple summers we have had “theme time” during this time.
It also keeps the big kids quiet while the little kids take a nap. The following is an example of a few I have tried.
- Mondays – Games, Puzzles, and Legos
- Tuesdays – Science Project (This was by far the fan favorite and used multiple summers)
- Wednesdays – Art
- Thursdays – Write a letter and mail it
- Fridays – Investigate a topic – example: Who invented rubber ducks? My kids were able to come up with some really interesting topics to dive further into.
2:30 p.m. - Snack
During the summer, snack time is another full-blown meal!
It seems like my kids are eating and growing machines during the summer. No matter what I have for them to eat, it never seems like enough.
I am constantly trying to put healthy foods in front of them, with some not-so-healthy foods from time to time. You have to be fun like that!
And water, lots of water. Everyone needs to hydrate.
3:00 p.m. - Chores, Then Play
After snack, have your kids do whatever chores you have set up for them.
Folding clothes, sweep, vacuum, wipe something down, it all needs to get done so why not have them help.
It is easy for kids to use and is a rock star at getting the floors clean.
Many hands make light work.
My kids try to do their chores as quickly as possible. Then they can either play inside or go outside.
We live in a smaller town and on a great street. All my kids have a friend or two that lives right on our street.Lots of biking, playing and Mr. Freezies happen during the summer.
4:00 p.m. - Outside
If your kids have not found their way back outside yet, now is the time to get them there. The more fresh air and outside playtime they get, the better they will sleep.
During the summer my kids always go outside with a water bottle.
They get hot and sweaty. I do not want them going in and out all the time to get water.
These water bottles are just the right size for kids and are easy to clean.
5:00 p.m. - Play
I get it, you need to make supper. If you don’t, who will right?
Let your kids have some independent time and play, read, sing, craft, etc.
When the weather is nice, my kids will stay out longer while I make supper. And some days they want to help make supper.
We try our very best to not do screen time at this point of the day or after. Kids' brains need to rest and start to wind down for bed.6:00 p.m. - Supper
Are your kids crazy hungry by this point? Mine usually are.
I feel like every night, my kids out eat me by a noticeable amount.
Supper is a great way to connect with your kids about the events of their day if they were away from you. There is so much chatter here sometimes, it can be hard to keep up.
6:45 p.m. - Get Ready For Bed
Right after they are done eating, have your kids start their bedtime routine. This part of the day will go so much smoother with one.
Your kids are starting to crash, and they may lose it in a big way.
Nope, it doesn’t matter if they are 8, or 10, or 12. All kids get tired.
This is what our bedtime routine looks like:
- Take your plate to the sink, or better yet rinse it and put it in the dishwasher
- Some nights a quick bath or shower is needed
- Get pajamas on
- Have them put their dirty clothes in the basket
- 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.)
Some activities we do are take a slow walk around the block (yes, with their pajamas on) snuggling up and reading together, board games, and coloring.
By 8:00 p.m. - Bed
My kids are in bed most nights by 7:45, 8:00 at the latest. They know they need the sleep and rarely fight to go.
If your kids are like mine, they barely get out of bed once they are tucked in. They are so tired from their day.
Yes, I planned it this way.
Congratulations!
Go ahead and pat yourself on the back.
You made it through another day with your energetic, rambunctious, and sometimes emotional child.
Take a little time for yourself before you hopefully get a good night's sleep.
They will wake up tomorrow ready to rock and roll.
Be rested for it.
This post was all about the best daily summer routine for kids.
Leave a comment below on what makes your summer schedule rock.
I look forward to hearing from you and thanks for stopping by.