Inside: Ready for the kids to be home for summer? Instead of wondering “how do I entertain my kids all summer?” I’ll show you how to create a predictable (but fun!) daily summer routine for kids (toddler through school-aged).
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Routines AND summer?
I know it sounds crazy but if you’re here reading this post then I’m guessing it doesn’t sound that crazy to you!
We often picture having a routine as some rigid thing, but in reality, it’s just a predictable road map for your day.
Rather than waking up each day this summer and wondering:
- What to do with the kids each day
- How to create structure
- When to allow screentime
It’s much less work to have a flexible summer schedule in place so that everyone knows what to expect, toddler through big kids!
Read: Monday-Friday Theme Ideas for Summer
This summer my girls will be 3, 7, and 9!
It’s a wide age range with different needs for each kid.
That being said, we can create a fantastic daily routine that helps each kid thrive this summer (without breaking the bank on summer camps).
How do you structure summer for kids?
My two main considerations for structuring summer days are:
- Sun/heat (UV index)
- Naptime / Quiet time
We live in the Southern USA where it gets incredibly hot in the summer with a UV index at 10 or above some days.
By lunchtime most playground slides are too hot to touch and I don’t want the kids playing outside too long during the peak sun hours of the day.
At my kids’ current ages, it’s best for us to get out early and then come home in the afternoon for a movie and some downtime.
Once it cools down a little bit, we head back outside for late afternoon play time.
Remember that part about balancing kids of different ages and their needs?
Another consideration when planning out your summer routine is to factor in naps or quiet time.
My 3 year old doesn’t typically nap anymore but she does a daily quiet time in the afternoon that is a helpful reset / downtime for her.
If it doesn’t happen it’s not the end of the world and certainly wouldn’t keep us home from a beach day or a fun day trip, however, I also wouldn’t try to purposefully plan a fun activity or outing at 2 PM knowing she’s going to have a hard time being out and about then.
Summer Routine for Kids PDF Printable
Before we jump into our specific daily routine, I have to share with you my absolute favorite printable resource we offer: The Summer Survival Guide.
It’s a 50 page all-in-one guide for summer with kids.
Inside the guide you’ll find everything from our tried-and-tested summer favorites (like our beach wagon, go-to sunscreens, etc.), summer routines with printables, summer camp themes at home, outdoor activities, rainy afternoon activities – we cover it all!
Check it out, here.
Related: How to be an Organized Mom this Summer
My Daily Summer Routine with 3 Kids
I’ve included times to help provide context and for planning purposes, however, times will vary day-to-day and of course will vary for your family as well.
Summer morning routine for kids
Unfortunately my kids never sleep in and are always up at 6 AM 🙂
That being said, over the years we have created a morning routine where they stay in their rooms until at least 7 AM.
This took a lot of practice and consistency but overall has been really worth it, especially with 3 kids and a toddler who does sometimes sleep until 7:30/8 AM.
- Both of my big kids have a regular digital clock in their room so they know when it turns 7 AM
- Before that they can read or play in their room
- I usually wake up at 6:15/6:30 and get myself ready + do a quick workout before 7
Related: My SAHM Morning Routine
7 AM – 9 AM
- Breakfast
- Play
- Get Ready (sunscreen, hats, shoes, pack snacks, etc.)
After breakfast I load up the dishwasher and quickly wipe down the kitchen.
At this point in the day the house is still relatively clean, but if a lot of toys or activities have been taken out, we’ll do a quick clean-up before leaving the house.
If you or your kids need more structure in the morning, consider what type of morning routine works best in your home.
In the summer, we save TV until the afternoon as we like to use the mornings to get going and get out of the house before it gets too hot.
Check Out: My Screen-Free ‘Till 3 (PM) Challenge on IG (doesn’t have to be 3 PM, it’s just the overall idea to save TV until the afternoon)
This doesn’t mean that we never have lazy mornings, just overall we like to get out early.
In the mornings the kids will play, help make breakfast, help out with our toddler, color, etc.
Sometimes free play works for us and sometimes more structure is needed.
Try a morning routine that includes:
- Reading (book basket)
- An activity
- Daily calendar
We love The Preschool Playbook and not only is there a Summer theme week there is also Ocean/Water week, Sweet Treats, Nature, Farm, and other summer-adjacent themes!
Sometimes I’ll set up an activity from the Playbook and sometimes I just roll out a big piece of paper and set out crayons, stamps, stickers, and stencils!
Even in summer my kids love a little morning invitation or mini learning session to get the day started.
Helpful Morning Routine Resources:
- How to Make a Morning Basket
- 2 Year Morning Routine + Morning Activities
- 3 Year Old Morning Routine Makeover
- Healthy Make-Ahead Breakfast Ideas
9 AM – 12:30 PM
- Morning outing (playground, pool, splash park, grocery pickup, library, etc.) – OR –
- Morning at home (water table, mud kitchen, craft / activity, splash pad, or just free play around the house)
- Lunch: picnic lunch / car lunch / snack boxes
Read: Favorite Snack Boxes + Easy Ideas
One “hack” I’ve found to be really helpful over the years is to pack lunches for morning outings or even just snacky lunches.
For example: after the library we can just sit on the picnic tables outside and each lunch or I can fold down the backseat in my minivan and we can eat in the parking lot.
This helps avoid that rush home for lunch and naptime.
When we walk in the door from our morning outing I don’t have to start quickly making lunch while everyone is starving and my toddler is ready for a nap.
12:30 PM – 2 or 3 PM
- Lunch (if didn’t have out)
- Quick clean-up / load or run dishwasher if needed
- Toddler naptime or quiet time (quiet time is usually an hour)
- Big kids: pickup room, quiet play, TV or video game / screentime
During this downtime portion of the day I usually get some work done, make any important phone calls, work on any house projects or just sit and watch a movie with the big kids.
3 PM – 6 PM
- Outdoor play (ride bikes/scooters, water play, backyard, family walk, afternoon outing)
- Prep dinner (usually I have my toddler watch a TV show while I get dinner ready)
- Bathtime
- Family Dinner
One routine hack that has been my go-to for years in the summer is to have the kids take a bath after they’re done playing outside and before dinner.
Usually they’re covered in sunscreen, sweat, and mud and unless we’re eating outside, it’s just easier to have them get cleaned up and then come sit down for dinner.
This also makes the bedtime routine run smoother!
Helpful Dinnertime Resources:
- My Printable Meal Planning Guide/Workbook
- Our Go-To Family Dinner Ideas
- 3 Ingredient Baked Taquitos
- What to Feed Kids All Summer
6 PM – 7 PM
This is when we wind down for the day. This typically includes:
- Loading up and running the dishwasher after dinner
- Walking the dogs as a family
- Cleaning up & picking up toys and putting things away
- Putting away laundry & running a load (see how my laundry routine works, here)
- Bathtime (if didn’t take one already)
7 PM – 8 PM
As my girls are all different ages they have staggered bedtimes with my youngest being put to bed first and my oldest last.
- Either my husband or I will get our toddler down for bed, usually by 7 if she doesn’t nap
- My older girls can read in bed (my 6 year old until 7:30, my 8 year old until 8)
I am a firm believer in early bedtimes and this is what works for our family. Especially since my kids are early risers!
- Adjust times as needed based on what works for your family.
- Sometimes we will watch a movie together after my toddler is in bed and they’ll end up in bed later.
- I try to be flexible in the summer but I’m always mindful of the fact that even if they go to bed at 9 PM, they’re still getting up at 6 AM 🙂
Find all of my Summer Essentials saved to my Amazon Storefront
Helpful Bedtime Resources:
- 3 Year Old Bedtime Battles (And How to Stop Them)
- Bedtime Routine with a Baby & Toddler
- 2 Year Old Sleep Schedule (1 Nap or No Nap)
- My Nightly Home Reset Routine
- 1 Year Old Sleep Schedule (1 or 2 Naps)
Here’s a look at my Daily Summer Routine with 3 Kids (without the notes)
7 AM – 9 AM
- Breakfast
- Play
- Get Ready
9 AM – 12:30 PM
- Morning outing – OR – Morning at home
- Lunch: picnic lunch / car lunch / snack boxes
12:30 PM – 2 or 3 PM
- Lunch (if didn’t have out)
- Quick clean-up / load or run dishwasher if needed
- Toddler naptime or quiet time
- Big kids: pickup room, quiet play, TV or video game / screentime
3 PM – 6 PM
- Outdoor play
- Prep dinner
- Bathtime
- Family Dinner
6 PM – 7 PM
- Loading up and running the dishwasher after dinner
- Walking the dogs as a family
- Cleaning up & picking up toys and putting things away
- Putting away laundry & running a load
- Bathtime (if didn’t take one already)
7 PM – 8 PM
- Toddler to bed by 7 if she doesn’t nap
- Older girls can read in bed (6 year old until 7:30, 8 year old until 8)
What to Read Next:
- Summer Camp at Home for Toddlers
- How to Get Organized for Summer
- Easy Summer Meal Ideas for Kids
- Summer Survival Guide PDF
- Fun Summer Camp Theme Ideas
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