8 Reasons why sticking to a schedule with these daily routine templates will actually make your days easier.

Why Create a Routine for Kids?

As a seasoned mom and former teacher, I know the power of creating a routine for your kids. Schedules are meant to be your friend, not your foe. Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom of littles or your kids are on summer break, routine is your friend. Keeping a schedule for your kids is not only helpful to them, but to you too! Here’s one template of a daily routine I made for my kids one summer:

template for daily routine

8 Reasons Why Your Kids Need a Daily Routine

I’ve created an entire set of daily routine templates and printables that will help you organize your day. Not convinced you need routine? Keep reading…

1. To Help with Behavior Issues

Have a child that gets easily bored? Is anxious? Is destructive? Struggles with behavior issues? Routine, routine, routine. I promise it makes all the difference. Kids need structure and predictability. They like knowing what’s coming up next, and feel security in the repetition.

2. To Teach Kids Responsibility and Independence

I have taught my kids to help with chores since they could walk. The little ones love to help unload the dryer and stand on a stool to load the washing machine. Don’t leave anyone out! This will pay off big time as they get older because it encourages them to help others without being asked.

3. To Create Memories as a Family

It can be easy to just go through the motions and get in survival mode when you’re parenting. But in order to bond, you need to set aside some time to simply have fun together! Get creative or use these ideas from my daily routine templates:

  • Make Something MONDAY (arts and crafts)
  • Treat TUESDAY (cook, bake, ice cream)
  • Water WEDNESDAY (sprinkler, pool, water guns)
  • Thoughtful THURSDAY (call, FaceTime, letter to someone)
  • Field Trip FRIDAY (virtual field trips are great too!)
  • Simple SATURDAY (games with family, no technology)
  • Spiritual SUNDAY (Bible lesson)

I like to stick to themes because the kids get excited about the upcoming outing.

Once a week, it’s fun to explore somewhere new! Go on a field trip to the zoo, museum, botanical garden, aquarium, or Chuck E. Cheese. You can also go to McDonald’s, watch a movie, or a local event.

Even if you don’t have kids–do this! Take an art class, try a yoga class, or try a new restaurant for lunch.

4. To Be More Present with Your Kids

I hate when I catch myself saying “Hold on” to the kids for the third time. When I get into a project, I get really distracted by it. Setting a schedule that includes independent play and group play helps me so much because it mixes up time together and time on our own. The kids know I will give them my undivided attention at certain times of the day.

Remember to put away your phone so that you can focus on the kids during this time. Make it a priority to be fully present.

Stock up at a dollar store for some seasonal crafts and coloring books. Then fill a basket and set it out on the table for craft and color time.

My kids enjoy time to build and do puzzles, and I make this an independent activity. Each kid can choose a puzzle or something to build (Legos, building blocks, Lincoln Logs, attribute blocks, etc.) Set these in an area where they can access them on their own. I make a rule that they can do as many as they want, but they have to clean up one before getting out another.

Their favorite part of the day is when I sit down and play a game with them. They love Sorry, Go Fish and Clue.

5. To Learn to Rest

Now that my kids are older, they don’t nap, but they know every day they will be asked to go to their room and close the door for rest time. They are only allowed to leave their room to go to the bathroom for that hour.

Don’t forget to add rest to your day too! With my health issues, I need this daily routine template to help me take breaks throughout the day. This is my time to lay down and sleep or watch some TV so that I don’t aggravate my body by overdoing it. Health problems or not, this is a great way to recharge or set reset for bad days.

6. To Get Outside More

Remember staying out all day during your childhood? What did you do? Try to recreate some of these memories with your kids. Not only is getting outside fun, but it’s beneficial to everyone’s health.

Use your schedule to go outside on scavenger hunts, listen for the ice cream truck, and have picnics at the table in the backyard. You can also look for bugs, play sports, and go on bike rides. This year we planted a garden so I fill up a small baby pool with water and they use their watering cans to water all my plants.

7. To Practice School Skills

The easiest way to help your kids not fall too far behind so they can jump right back into learning is to read all summer long. As a former teacher, I could tell which kids had their parents work with them over the summer.

My mom instilled a love of reading in us at an early age because she would take us to the library each week and we each had our own library cards! Library reading programs are amazing and have earned us toys, ice cream, and even a family pass to the water park! Make sure to check in with your local library.

8. To Help Your Marriage

The easiest way to invest in your marriage is to set a bedtime for your kids–yes, even in the summer! If your kids aren’t used to a bedtime, then here are a few tips to help:

  1. Have them get on pjs and brush teeth at the same time each night.
  2. Allow them to play as long as their door is shut, giving them the freedom to play in their room.
  3. Tell them lights go off if they come out except for bathroom breaks.
  4. As they do well, restrict playtime to an actual lights-out bedtime.

If you can follow through with consistency, then trust me, it will be a GAME CHANGER.

Grab your Daily Routine Templates Today!

Ready to create better routines for your kids? Then check out this 15-page printable pack for helping kids learn these skills and have fun while doing it. Includes a blank daily routine template!

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