Many years ago, I started the summer off with a simple summer schedule for kids. Although it was simple, it didn’t really stick. Now, 5 years later, I decided it was time to try another summer schedule. The boys are old enough to understand a schedule and, in fact, schedules are really helpful! They know what we are doing and at what time with no arguments.
So on our first day of summer vacation, we came up with our new summer schedule. I took their input and went with it. And came up with a schedule that we all are on board for.
Do I think this will last all summer? Of course not! The schedule is meant to be flexible. It is summer for crying out loud. I am not going to let the schedule dictate every day but it will help us on most days.
Summer Schedule for Kids
My mission this summer is to have the kids finally help me out with the housework…without whining. My deal to them? The more they help me out around the house, the more time we have to do fun things!
Want a copy of your Summer Schedule for Kids? You can grab it by clicking here or on the picture above!
Looking for the old summer fun schedule? Here is it!
Want a blank schedule for yourself? Download a free printable.
Now that I have the days categorized it’s time to find the activities to go with them! You didn’t think I would just share the schedule and that was it, did you? Below are just some of the activities that I am planning this summer.
Make Something Monday
1. Marshmallow Shooters – This craft comes from Come Together Kids. I know E would just love this and will have hours of fun shooting me with marshmallows.
2. Make Your Own Crayons – We have been saving the broken bits of E’s crayons with the intentions of making crayons. The Party Dress has a great post on how to make your own crayons.
3. Egg Carton Sea Creatures – E is obsessed is with anything that is related to the ocean. I know he will love making these sea creatures out of egg cartons that I found on Parents magazine.
Get Outside Tuesday: Sure we could just go out and play in the sand and water table but here are some outside activities for kids.
1. Make a Bird Feeder – I have been meaning to make one of these with E for a while now. Why not now? This bird feeder from Disney Family Fun looks incredibly easy!
2. Backyard Toy Car Wash – This genius idea comes from No Time for Flashcards. Not only do the kids get to have fun with their toys and water. But their toys get a good cleaning that they probably desperately need.
3. Egg Carton Scavenger Hunt – We have a great nature trail by our house that, sadly, we barely utilize. This idea from Nature Preschool would be a great way to get out and explore!
What’s Cooking Wednesday
1. Dixie Cup Popsicles – Popsicles are a summer time staple. Why not make your own? Confessions of a Stay-at-Home Mom shared how to make easy dixie cup popsicles so that you freezer is always stocked this summer!
2. Kid Size Pizza – E loves pizza {and so does Benny}. These kid size pizza from Taste of Home will be a big hit. I also see us making these a lot for lunch over the summer.
3. S’Mores – You know we love our S’mores!
Time to Read Thursday: Thursday is story time at our local library. We used to visit the library weekly but then life got hectic. This will help us get back into the routine of visiting. Bonus? The library is about 3 blocks from the house so we can walk there!
Go Somewhere Fun Friday: On not-so-hot days, we will visit the zoo and some local arboretums and farms. When we need to beat the heat, we will go to the aquarium, the Natural History Museum, kid’s museum, and science center.
What’s on your schedule this summer?
Mychal B. says
June 1, 2012 at 9:06 amThat’s great! I’m making a schedule for me and my boys too. Since I don’t do well with the crafty stuff, our schedule will be getting out of the house adventures. I’ll be doing a post about it next week. I hope we can get together at some point this summer.
Darla says
June 1, 2012 at 8:21 pmMychal, I have the same idea. Each day of the week is scheduled for a different outing that my kids love, but the same spots each week, so I can maybe catch up with friends in our favorite spots. Maybe we can connect.
Nichole says
June 1, 2012 at 9:29 amLove this, think i may have to copy your schedule!
Barb @ A Life in Balance says
June 1, 2012 at 12:37 pmLove it! I’d much rather have theme days than hourly scheduling. Unfortunately, I need to allot some time for summer school work and practicing math facts. Maybe Friday and the weekend could be the days off.
Becky says
June 1, 2012 at 3:32 pmLove these! Thanks for good inspiration!
Rachee says
June 1, 2012 at 4:13 pmGreat ideas! I may be borrowing some for the library!
Claire says
June 1, 2012 at 4:56 pmI need to allot some time for summer school work and practicing math facts. Maybe Friday and the weekend could be the days off. Thanks for sharing.
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf says
June 2, 2012 at 9:14 amI’ve been in denial that my kids will be out of school soon. I can’t believe that it’s June already! Thanks for these ideas. I will definitely be using some of these and that schedule is a great idea! Thanks for sharing.
steph @Moderndaydonnareed.com says
June 4, 2012 at 9:12 amI LOVE these ideas! Now we need an extra day for “Blogger and their Kids Playdates!”
Steph says
June 4, 2012 at 9:15 amThat could be Friday! Get out of the house!!
Mindi says
June 4, 2012 at 10:27 pmLooks like so much fun. I love the Make something Monday’s best. Really wish I had more free time in my life so I could do more crafty things with the boys. Since I work a 32 hour work week Thursdays are my day off with the boys and we tend to get out of the house to do something fun. I think I will switch it up and do a few days at home making stuff his summer. Love the car wash idea….so fun!
Tania says
August 17, 2012 at 5:36 amI need to write things down more! Thanks for your idea’s! Organization is key:)
Amy says
June 11, 2014 at 2:00 pmI’m trying to do theme weeks- so this week is the Circus, since it came to our town last night. We got Circus books from the library. Maybe today we’ll draw pictures of our favorite parts of the circus. My oldest is already trying to make up his own acts- so maybe we’ll incorporate that somehow. I find that when the activities I plan go with a theme it’s easier to come up with stuff and the kids are more interested in them than when I just pull out random things I think are neat.
I like to stay home on Mondays. Our library story time is Tuesday- but we don’t go every week. I think we’ll do Wednesdays as a standing play date with friends. I want to try to get to either the Y or outside play time in the yard or a park every day. I am not currently very good at accomplishing that goal though.