As a classroom teacher, I maintained order and routine by following a pretty regimented schedule. This gave us predictability for the day and ensured that we accomplished everything we needed to accomplish. For some reason, this same characteristic has not transferred over to my stay-at-home mom life. Since I am not a morning person I am content to just “ease into the day” (as my husband likes to call it) if we don’t have anywhere we have to be. Before I can get my act together, it is nearly lunch time! All I know is that my sanity for the summer depends on some type of schedule!
I created this printable summer schedule so that it can be interchangeable for varying days. My goal is to plan ahead the night before what our day will look like and make sure to arrange the schedule accordingly. I have one child who thrives on routine and predictability, so I know this will be very beneficial for him without being too regimented. :)
Download your summer schedule printables here.
Once you download the printables, you can print on magnetic paper or laminate and use magnet tape to add to your refrigerator.
Here are some of the activities included in the printable:
- Get Dressed
- Breakfast
- Table Time (will vary each day: includes handwriting, workbook pages, puzzles, learning games, play dough, etc)
- Free Play
- Library
- Park
- Swimming
- Screen Time
- One-on-One time (my goal is to spend at least 30 minutes a week one-on-one with each child doing something of their choice)
- Rest time
- Lunch
- Chores
- Field Trip (zoo, museums, etc)
- Reading (independent or audio books)
- Read aloud (me reading to them)
I included blank plates for you to add your own activities as well. I did not, however, include dinner or any activities that come afterward just because this time of day is already a well-established routine in our home. The printable includes 30-minute time increments from 8am to 5pm but also comes with blank clock faces that you can customize (which I will be using later in the summer to reinforce telling time).
Despite how it may look, there will be a lot of flexibility in our day. Activities are spread out enough to allow plenty of “down time” in between. I also asked the boys some themes that interest them, so we will be doing some weekly activities related to their interests.
Finally, we’re implementing a new screen time policy at our house. The boys can early 1 minute of screen time for every minute that they read (or listen to an audio book/book read aloud). I bought them both book timers and we’re hoping to keep track this way.
Do you have a summer schedule for your home???
Mary Catherine says
May 27, 2014 at 8:34 amLoooooove this, thank you! I am going to sit down layer this week to outline our summer. This printable schedule is definitely going to be helpful for my son, my babysitting kiddos, and me! :-)
Amanda says
May 27, 2014 at 8:42 amYou read my mind! I’ve been thinking about doing something like this for us this summer and you are absolutely going to help! Thank you! :)
Asia Hadley says
May 27, 2014 at 12:20 pmI love this idea of a magnet schedule. And the book clock is ingenius!
Jenae says
May 28, 2014 at 4:47 pmThank you!
Maria Daniels says
May 27, 2014 at 1:55 pmI love this idea!! I was going to make a summer schedule as well but didn’t know how I was going to post it but I love this idea. My older one loves to know what is coming next so a schedule she can see it awesome! thanx!
Jeanine says
May 28, 2014 at 11:56 amI am SOO grateful for these and seriously looooving the “earn screen time” idea!
Jenae says
May 28, 2014 at 4:47 pmThank you so much! I am glad you like it! :)
Jennifer H says
May 28, 2014 at 5:55 pmI have tried to do summer schedules in the past. This year I am trying something new. Each day has to have something from each of 3 lists, plus guitar practice (something he is starting next week). the 3 lists have chores, learning (he has math, history, typing, and cooking in here), and fun (divided into active and passive activities). He can have 2 hours of screen time, but earn extra for each minute of “active fun” beyond the one required activity. I have one list for a whole week with check boxes next to each chore or activity for the whole week, so if he wants to do all his chores in one day I have allowed for that flexibility.
We’ll see how it works.
Sarah says
May 28, 2014 at 6:54 pmI just decided I wanted something with a clock on it to help my 2 kiddos know the flow of our days…this is perfect timing! Thank you!!
Jenae says
May 30, 2014 at 3:24 pmYay! So glad you found it helpful. :)
Heather P says
May 28, 2014 at 9:40 pmLOOOOVE this! Printed it and will use it!
We usually have a schedule because we do school work during the summer to keep up with what we have learned at school. Like reading, math, and so on.
Will put this into use after our trip.
Becca M says
May 29, 2014 at 9:52 pmTHANK YOU!!! I am so happy that I found this! Printing now and adding magnetic tape tomorrow. I will be using this starting Monday :)
Jenae says
May 30, 2014 at 3:23 pmSo glad you have found it helpful!
yolanda says
May 30, 2014 at 12:26 amthis is AWESOME! could you tell me what font you used so that i can use something similar to type in the blank ones? thanks!
Jenae says
May 30, 2014 at 3:23 pmI believe it is called “Chunk Five”. I created the schedule cards using PicMonkey.com.
Yolanda says
May 31, 2014 at 7:47 pmthanks!
Carol says
May 31, 2014 at 10:08 amThank you so much. Just what I needed to display my summer care camp schedule for the kids.
JamericanSpice says
June 1, 2014 at 7:55 pmI was in the process of writing up a schedule when I came upon yours. Awesome idea! Thank you.
Q says
June 1, 2014 at 11:12 pmWhat about screen time for adults!
Jenae says
June 3, 2014 at 11:58 pmI typically check my computer throughout the day, but I don’t normally watch TV until the kids are in bed. But do whatever is best for you and your family! ;)
Mary Ellen says
June 3, 2014 at 4:12 pmI was wondering if there is a way to make this a little more flexible…
Like if it’s raining, we won’t go to the park and might do more screen time. Or, if it is really nice and cool outside, we might stay out and forego TV. Any ideas?
Jenae says
June 3, 2014 at 11:57 pmJust change out whatever activities you plan to do for the day…since the time cards are separate, it can be as flexible as you want it (or don’t use the time cards at all).
Kim says
June 5, 2014 at 1:58 pmSuch a great idea! I love how it gives a “big picture” look at the day rather than a to-do list. Doing something like this may help to bring some peace to the chaos we have going on right now. :)
Mindy says
June 9, 2014 at 11:35 pmI did something similar to this schedule for my oldest son a few years ago when he would ask what we are doing today or what’s next. My oldest son just finished K and my middle son is now at the age of asking the what’s next question…a lot. Something I found helpful for us was adding pictures or clip art to the words, so both boys could tell what was next. I love the idea of adding the clock, but just realized we don’t have a analog clock in our house…They’re all digital!
I also loved your idea for earning screen time with reading! My oldest LOVES to be outside, playing with Legos and everything else young boys should be doing. He’s not so big into reading when it’s not part of his homework. As a former first grade teacher, it pains me that he doesn’t love all thousands of books I have at home now from my classroom. I wanted to find something to motivate him to read throughout the summer and I think this just might do the trick.
My husband and I have struggled with whether or not to purchase and ipad. We don’t want to deprive our kids of knowing and understanding modern technology, but we have a desktop, two laptops and I do have an ipod that has some education apps for the boys and we just don’t feel the ipad is a need. Reading your post definitely keeps me thinking. Thank you so much!
Aisha says
June 10, 2014 at 11:25 amThis is great! I especially like the service project label. Can you give some ideas of what you will be doing for service projects?
Jenae says
June 12, 2014 at 3:03 pmSo far we have made cards to send with my parents on a mission trip to Zimbabwe. Most of our “service projects” will be things that we make to give to other people, as it is hard to get out of the house with an infant. :)
Ally says
June 20, 2014 at 5:17 pmSo glad I found this on pinterest!! I am not a computer person so trying to make this is not easy for me I was wondering if you could do a dinner and bedtime printable and the times that were not included? We do have a routine but it changes on certain nights, Sunday and Wednesday nights for instance. Totally understand if it’s not possible. Have the summer schedule up on frig right now!
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Amy says
May 11, 2016 at 11:35 amIs there anyway I could get this in an edit format so I could add pictures? Thanks! Super helpful!
Adriana Espinosa says
July 3, 2016 at 7:31 pmBrilliant use of all that free summer time! I will be implementing this week! What is a Service Project?
Jenae says
July 7, 2016 at 7:39 amA service project is just an act of service or kindness for someone else (picking an elderly neighbors weeds, cooking a meal for someone, visiting a nursing home, etc).