How to Create a Summer Routine for Kids and Moms

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Ahhh, summer. That magical time of year when the school year ends, shoes disappear, and the pantry becomes a 24/7 snack bar. The days are long, the sun is shining, and the kids? They are everywhere. All. The. Time. Don’t get me wrong—I love summer break, even as a homeschool mom. It’s full of fun stuff like popsicles, lazy days, and letting my kids run wild in the sprinkler while I sunbathe on a blanket in the backyard, pretending I don’t hear them fighting. But here’s the thing: without a summer routine for kids and moms, things will likely go downhill fast.

Trust me, I’ve learned the hard way! Over the years, as we’ve added more kids, I do summers differently. I’ve realized that, as much as I want to be a “go with the flow” mom, we thrive on a daily routine—but one that’s flexible enough for the summer months and structured enough that I don’t lose my ever-loving mind. Let’s create a summer routine that works for you!

Why You Need a Summer Routine for Kids and Moms

I know what you’re thinking. “But summer is supposed to be wild, fun, and free!” And yes—it is. But a total lack of routine doesn’t make for magical summer days. It usually makes for chaotic ones with kids whining and moms close to pulling their hair out. I firmly believe that kids and moms thrive on even just a little structure. It doesn’t have to be a color-coded Google spreadsheet that accounts for every single second of the day. It just needs to be a nice flow that has some predictability.

Here’s what a good summer routine for kids and moms gives you:

• More independent play time.
• Less screen time (I’m not anti-screens, but I am anti-zombie children). We save screen time for the evenings as a family.
• More alone or quiet time for everyone, which helps lessen the bickering.
• Creates space for outdoor activities and spontaneous day trips.
• Less “what are we even doing today” energy (because this is exhausting)! Decision fatigue is real.

Especially when you have a mix of younger kids and older children, creating a type of morning routine that respects the different needs of your family can make all the difference. Whether it’s sensory bins for the little ones or reading time for the big kids, having a sort of schedule prevents the overwhelm that comes from too much unstructured time.

How to Create a Summer Routine for Kids and Moms

I love a good spreadsheet, but nobody, not even my color-coded spreadsheet-loving self, wants a schedule that blocks off every 15 minutes during the summer. (Well, okay, maybe some people do, but they are not my people.) Instead, summer calls for a rhythm, a flow, rather than a strict schedule that will likely stress you out when it’s not followed perfectly. We don’t want to start our summer in failure.

So, instead, let’s begin with anchor points: predictable moments that guide the flow of your day. Think things like:

• Wake-up
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Quiet time
• Supper
• Bedtime

These simple anchor points give enough structure to keep things moving without feeling trapped in a daily schedule you’ll abandon in the first week of summer. It’s a good way to balance freedom of summer with sanity.

Summer Routine for Kids and Moms: Our Daily Routine

I homeschool and stay home with five kids ranging from toddlers to teens. Here’s what our real-life summer routine looks like. Not perfect. Not Pinterest-worthy. But it’s what keeps us functioning for the most part.

• Wake-up, breakfast, morning chores
• Outdoor play, ride bikes, or go for a walk (mom is outside too)
• Lunch (Either inside or outside. Picnics are 10/10 during the summer). This is a perfect opportunity for a read-aloud or family audiobook, but you can also skip and have good conversations with your kids for the best quality time.
• Quiet time/Nap time (even the older children get this—books, audiobooks, drawing, resting). Sometimes they will separate or play games quietly because nap time is the only time the toddler is not a mini tornado through their board games. Creating quiet time boxes for this part of your family’s day is another good idea too.
• Free time play (usually outside again)
• Help with dinner and a quick tidy of the main living areas, like the living room and mudroom
• Family supper. Everyone pitches in to clean up after supper.
• Time outside as a family. Usually, this time is spent at a ballgame, sitting on the front porch talking, playing ball in the backyard, or watching a family TV show like The Brady Bunch or The Andy Griffith Show. Those are our top favorites.
• Bedtime routine and lights out.

This is our ideal summer day. It doesn’t happen every day. But having this loose rhythm helps keep our days flowing and our house from falling apart. Everyone, except the toddlers, knows what is expected each day. There are days that we might spend all day out somewhere, but even then, they know we’re back home, for example, around supper time, and they know what will happen next.

Summer Time Screen Time

Look, I’m not here to shame screen time. Screens are part of our days. But I’ve learned that if I don’t set boundaries, my kids will binge-watch entire seasons of their favorite shows. We have strict rules around screen time. The kids know the TV is not allowed to come on until at least the afternoon. Sometimes, if it’s rained all day or I’ve been pushed to the edge, they’re allowed to watch a show while I cook supper. But the majority of the time, they know the TV is saved for evenings as a family. Having these boundaries set up ahead of time saves on so many arguments and whining. Bonus: They appreciate it more when it’s limited.

I’ve been a mother for 14 years. I have set boundaries to make my life easier. Years ago, the TV would come on first thing in the morning and stay on all day. But, I’ve since seen the negative effects this has on their mood and overall health. It might take a week or two, but I encourage you to start. Explain your new rules for screen time and, most importantly, stick to the rules you created.

Built-In Quiet Time = Everyone Wins

Let me explain something before you go thinking this means my children are each reading independently in monastic silence. In our house, quiet time looks more like this: four kids playing semi-quietly with games they finally get to play without a toddler grabbing all the pieces or sitting in the middle of the board. It’s not silent, but it’s contained.

If they want, they can break up and go do their own thing, and sometimes they choose that, but the majority of the time, they love this time to do “the big kid things” without the toddler.

The toddler naps, the big kids play quietly (ish), and I get a precious pocket of alone time. Sometimes I write blog posts like this. Maybe I’ll read half a page of a book. Sometimes I sit in the kitchen and sip something warm without anyone asking for a snack. This is what we call bliss.

The rule is: you don’t bother Mom unless someone is bleeding or the house is on fire. Has it taken some training? Absolutely. But now, everyone (for the most part) looks forward to that midday breather—especially me.

Even if your house isn’t silent, a little independent play time (with siblings or solo) gives everyone space to reset.

Boredom Is Not a Bad Word

Let’s talk about something that tends to freak parents out: bored kids. Here’s a secret: boredom is a good thing.

When kids are bored, they’re not wasting time—they’re actually creating space for creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. It’s in those moments of “there’s nothing to do” that amazing things happen: blanket forts, comic books, homemade obstacle courses, writing plays, digging holes in the yard just to see what’s there, and so much more.

Too much unstructured time can feel overwhelming at first, especially for kids used to being told what to do or being entertained all hours of the day with some sort of device. But over time, they learn to lean into it. And that is huge for their emotional and mental well-being.

Give your kids the freedom of summer—even if it means they come to you every five minutes saying they’re bored. Let them sit in that space and see what grows. Remind them that boredom is good and you’re not there to give them constant ideas on what to do. I promise, they’ll eventually figure it out. Stay strong, mama.

Summer Routine for Kids and Mom: Sprinkle In Fun

Pick a few go-to activities and rotate them through the summer months. Think that good 90’s summer (I’m showing my age):

• Sprinkler and popsicles
• Nature scavenger hunt
• Library day
• Sidewalk chalk contest and bubbles
• Bake and deliver cookies to neighbors
• Dollar store crafts
• Day trips to a nearby park or splash pad with a picnic lunch

Get together as a family and write down some summer activities to create a kids’ summer schedule or to-do list. Let the kids pick something from it each week. It’s a great way to make memories without spending all your money or much time Googling “fun summer activities near me.”

One of my favorite books that would be fun for you to read this summer is Adventuring Together by Greta Eskridge. It is filled with all the encouragement you need to get out and adventure with your kids.

Summer Camps

I know, I know—summer camps are a hot topic this time of year. And while they can be a great way to break up the summer months, I’ll be honest: we don’t do them.

With five kids at home, our days are already full. The idea of adding drop-offs, pick-ups, packing lunches, and remembering which kid is supposed to be at what place at what time. My version of summer simplicity doesn’t involve coordinating a second school year.

Instead, we create our own “mini camps” at home, really just a fun activity. Here are a few ideas to spark your creativity:

• Nature Week: scavenger hunts, mud pies, frog watching, backyard bug collecting, mud kitchen
• Art Week: finger painting, chalk murals, DIY tie-dye (you can do it, I believe in you)
• Baking Week: kids can choose recipes, learn to measure, and clean up
• Reading Week: themed read-alouds and trips to the local library
• Water Week: sprinkler obstacle course, sprinkler on trampoline (new favorite around here), water balloons, DIY slip-n-slide

It gives the full camp vibes without the registration fees and mom taxi.

Real Talk: You Don’t Have to Do It All

Sticking with a summer routine for kids and moms doesn’t have to mean rigid schedules or hour-by-hour plans. Focus on consistency over perfection—anchor your days with a few key rhythms like morning chores, outdoor time, and quiet afternoons. Keep your routine visible, like on the fridge. Be flexible enough to adjust when life gets messy. Most importantly, give yourself and your kids plenty of grace. The best routine is the one that works for your family, not against it.

Some days will look like a parenting Pinterest board. Others will look like a snack-covered war zone. It’s all part of the whole thing. The beauty of summer is that it allows for both.

If today was a bust? There’s always tomorrow. If the routine fell apart? Welcome to motherhood.

Want More Summer Sanity Savers?

If you loved this post, you’re going to love my brand-new ebook: Thrive Together: A Mom & Kids Summer Companion.

It’s packed with:

• Summer routines by age
• Chore charts
• Meal and snack ideas
• Summer bucket list
• Screen time systems
• Mom sanity tips (like, real ones)

Whether you’re juggling toddlers, teens, or somewhere in between, this guide will help you create a fun summer full of connection rather than chaos.

You’ve Got This, Mama

No matter what season of motherhood you’re in, having a simple summer routine for kids and moms can make your days feel more peaceful and purposeful.

Summer routines don’t have to be perfect. And you don’t need to plan every moment. With a little planning and a little rhythm, a few go-to ideas, and a whole lot of grace, you can create a summer that feels good for the needs of your family.

So go ahead, print a routine, make your coffee, and embrace the variety of activities, the boredom, the ice cream, and the occasional meltdown. This is the stuff summer is made of.

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