Summer Schedule for Kids, Peace of mind for Parents -
Summer has begun
School has ended and summer is here… yikes! For parents this can sometimes be a cause of anxiety. What summer program can I get my kid in? Is it too late? Can I afford this? If I keep them home, what do I do with them? I will tell you what to do with them. Learn How to Create a Summer Schedule for kids and have a Peace of Mind for You!
Having a summer schedule for your kids can be somewhat hard to implement but once you do, you will be glad that you took the time to create the schedule and enforce it. As a former teacher, I was home with my children during the summer. Usually most days they were in summer camp or some type of activity. During the days and weeks when nothing was planned and also last summer during the pandemic; it was crucial for me to have a schedule set up for them. Instead of fighting with them over playing on their electronics or watching tv all day, there was a clear schedule to refer to. The following are some tips to help you create a schedule for your children to help them gain some independence and also free up some of your time and give you peace of mind.
Sample Summer Schedule for Kids
Plan what kids need to do as soon as they wake up
Have a wake up time and list the things they need to do. For example, wake up, get dressed, brush teeth, make breakfast etc. Having a routine helps them to feel secure because they know what to expect and getting themselves dressed is an accomplishment small children feel proud of. For breakfast I always have items that they can make themselves, bagels, microwavable pancakes and breakfast sandwiches, waffles, cereal, etc.
Schedule Academic Work during the summer
I know, I know, it’s summer time. Let the kids have a break right? Wrong! Statistics show that students forget about 39% of what they learned over the summer. I always have workbooks and websites that they can go to during their academic time so that they can continue to practice the skills that they have learned and prepare for the upcoming school year. A good resource that I’ve used throughout my children’s elementary years summers is this Summer Bridge Activities Workbook. And of course reading! Get books that are at grade level as well as at their reading level and have them read at least 30 minutes a day. Make a list of activities and let them choose 3 or 4 things off the list, 1-2 that are mandatory and the others they decide on what to do.
Summer Bridge WorkBook by grade level
Afternoon Activities for summer schedule
After they finish their morning work and lunch plan different activity times and what activities they can do during that time. For example you can schedule quiet time, outdoor playtime, chores and electronics time. During quiet time they can possible read a book, color, draw or even take a nap! Yes nap time is for everybody. I don’t care how old you are.
Summer Evening Wind Down
Next plan whatever activities that will signal it’s almost time for bed. Dinner time, Bath/Shower, family time and also bedtime. We started scheduling family time to make sure we connect as a family. During this time we may talk about our day, watch a show all together, or do a short activity like make a story where each person adds on to what the other person said to create a story. Then it’s bedtime. Having their bedtime on paper solidifies that at this time you go to bed! If you need to, plan what they need to do before they get in the bed. For example about 15 minutes or so before you actually want them in the bed, they should start preparing; brush teeth, get water, use the bathroom, etc.
Trust me have a summer schedule for kids is a beautiful thing. Does everything go according to plan every single day; of course not! But having a plan is better than no plan at all. It provides clear boundaries and responsibilities for kids and less questions for you to answer. Having a routine like this for during the school year is wonderful as well. Just tweak the times and activities accordingly but you will at least have a morning routine and bedtime routine all set that they will be used to because you have already practiced and implemented it during the summer time. You can also use this schedule on the weekends during the school year. Set up routines and schedules and teach your kids how to be responsible, manage time, and care for themselves.
When you sign up to join our mailing list, you receive a free digital download of an inspirational planner bundle which includes a sample kids schedule and a customizable one. One for a boy and a girl. And for you, it also includes a daily planner sheet and weekly planner sheets for each month of the year for you with inspiring scriptures.
