Summer Schedule for Kids (Free Printable Daily + Weekly!)

Q: What should a summer schedule for kids include?

A good summer schedule balances fun and structure — outdoor time, a little reading, a creative activity, meals, quiet time, and free play. You don't need to fill every minute, just enough to give the day some shape.

Q: What is a good daily routine for kids in the summer?

A simple flow that works well: morning chores and reading, outdoor play before it gets too hot, lunch, quiet time, an afternoon activity, and a wind-down evening routine. Adjust based on your kids' ages and what works for your family.

Next week, all my kids are officially out of school. Can we say hello chaos? I do love the crazy days of summer — daily trips to the pool, hours of fun in the backyard, and lots of time with family and friends. But this mom needs just a little bit of routine to keep her sanity! So I put together a summer schedule for kids that you can print and hang somewhere everyone can see it. Hopefully it gives your family a little structure without taking away any of the fun.

There are two free printables below — a daily schedule and a weekly schedule. Grab one or both!

Why a Summer Schedule Actually Helps (Even If You Love Chaos)

Even the most go-with-the-flow families usually do better with at least a loose plan for the day. Here’s why a simple summer schedule makes such a big difference:

Kids know what to expect. When kids can see what’s coming next, there is so much less “but whyyyyy do I have to” pushback. Predictability is a really good thing!

It keeps everyone moving. Without any structure, summer days can slip into hours of screen time before anyone realizes it. A simple schedule keeps the day flowing.

It makes the transition back to school easier. Keeping some kind of routine going all summer means the back-to-school adjustment is not such a shock for anyone.

It gives YOU breathing room. When the kids know quiet time is from 2-3pm, for example, you can actually count on that time. That is huge.

And the best part? It does not have to be rigid. Think of it more like a loose guide for the day than a strict minute-by-minute plan. Summer should still feel like summer!

Free Printable Daily Summer Schedule for Kids

This is the simple daily schedule that started it all! Print it, hang it somewhere everyone can see it, and let it do the work for you.

Click here to download the Summer Schedule printable to print or right click on each individual image to open it in a new window. You can save it or print from there. Make sure to scale it to size when printing! (You can also pin this printable here to save for later!)

Free Printable Weekly Summer Schedule for Kids

Want a little more organization? This weekly schedule gives each day of the week a loose theme, so you can wake up already knowing the general plan. No more “what are we doing today?!” first thing in the morning!

Click here to download the Summer Schedule Days printable to print or right click on each individual image to open it in a new window. You can save it or print from there. Make sure to scale it to size when printing! (You can also pin this printable here to save for later!)

Sample Summer Schedule for Kids

Not sure where to start? Here is a simple daily summer schedule that works well for most families. Feel free to adjust the times to fit your crew!

Morning

Wake up, breakfast, get dressed
One chore or helping task
Reading time (even 15-20 minutes makes a difference!)
Outside play or activity

Midday

Lunch
Quiet time (this is non-negotiable in our house!)
Creative play, crafts, or screen time

Afternoon

Pool, park, or outdoor activity
Free play

Evening

Dinner together
Wind-down time
Bedtime routine

The key is keeping it flexible enough that it actually works on real summer days — not just perfect ones!

6 Tips for Making a Summer Schedule Work for Your Family

Print it and post it somewhere visible. On the fridge, in the playroom, wherever the kids will actually see it. Out of sight really does mean out of mind!

Involve the kids. When kids help decide what goes on the schedule, they are so much more likely to follow it. Even little ones love having a say.

Build in downtime. Quiet time is not just for little kids. Older kids need a break in the day too — and honestly, so do moms!

Don’t stress about screen time. Give it a designated spot on the schedule rather than trying to avoid it entirely. It is so much easier to manage when everyone already knows when it happens.

Laminate it. If you want to reuse the schedule week after week, print it on card stock and laminate it. Then you can write in the details with a dry erase marker and wipe it clean each week.

Give it a week or two. New routines take a little time to stick. Do not give up if the first few days feel bumpy!

Frequently Asked Questions About Summer Schedules for Kids

Do kids really need a schedule in the summer? They don’t need a rigid one, but most kids do better with at least a loose routine. Knowing what to expect each day cuts down on boredom, fighting, and the endless “what are we doing?” questions. Even a simple morning routine can make a big difference in how the whole day goes.

What should a summer schedule for kids include? A good summer schedule balances fun and structure. Think: some outdoor time, a little reading or learning, a creative activity, meals, quiet time, and free play. You don’t need to fill every minute — just enough to give the day some shape.

How do I get my kids to actually follow a schedule? Post it somewhere visible, involve them in making it, and keep it flexible. Kids are much more likely to follow a schedule when they had a hand in creating it and when it does not feel like a punishment. The printables here are simple enough that kids can follow them on their own once they get the hang of it!

What is a good daily routine for kids in the summer? A simple flow that works well for most families: morning chores and reading, outdoor play before it gets too hot, lunch, quiet time, an afternoon activity or pool trip, and a wind-down evening routine. Adjust based on your kids’ ages and what works for your family.

How do I handle screen time in a summer schedule? Give it a designated spot rather than leaving it open-ended. When kids know screen time happens after lunch (for example), they stop asking about it all morning. Having it built into the schedule takes the battle out of it completely.

What is the weekly summer schedule printable for? The weekly schedule gives each day of the week a loose theme or focus — so instead of waking up with no plan, you already know Monday might be craft day and Wednesday might be water day. It is a great way to add variety to the week without having to think too hard about it!

We hope these summer schedule printables help you stay organized — but more importantly, have a really fun summer! Drop a comment below and let me know how you use them with your family.

Summer Schedule for Kids (Free Printable Daily + Weekly!) |The Chirping Moms

Summer Schedule for Kids (Free Printable Daily + Weekly!) Simple Schedule

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Comments

Breenah A says

June 15, 2016 at 8:07 pm

Love this idea, especially the themed days. Although, I am jealous your schedule doesn't start until 7. Ours would start at 5:30. My husband leaves for work about 6:15 and my daughter INSISTS on getting up with him.

Merrawyn says

May 16, 2018 at 8:44 pm

Hey I absolutely adore your schedule and implemented it today!! Things went so well that I definitely want t do this everyday!! The only downside is I can’t get your schedule to print for me!! Would you mind emailing it to me please?? Thanks so much julie!!

Stephanie, One Caring Mom says

July 30, 2018 at 2:50 am

I absolutely love the idea of having a different day of the week for a different activity! Summer can be so overwhelming without the consistency that’s always present during the school year. Thanks for these!