Summer is finally here, and if you’re anything like me, you’re both excited for the slower pace and wondering how to keep the peace with all the kiddos home all day. Whether you’re wrangling toddlers, navigating preschool energy, or juggling summer fun with early elementary learning, having a simple summer routine can make your days smoother and more joyful.
I’m not talking about strict schedules or packed calendars. I’m talking about rhythms and routines that give your family structure without overwhelming your summer days. Let’s chat about how to create a summer routine that helps you enjoy this sweet season of home life with your littles!
Table of Contents – Click to jump ahead!
1. Create Anchors, Not Schedules
If you’ve spent much time around The Stay-at-Home Teacher, you know we’re fans of schedules instead of routines. So you already know that we feel Summer isn’t the time for minute-by-minute schedules—but it is helpful to have predictable anchor points in your daily Summer routine. Think: breakfast, outside time, lunch, quiet time, and bedtime.
Here’s an example of what that might look like:
- Morning Anchor: Breakfast + Bible time + learning activities
- Midday Anchor: Lunch + read-aloud or rest time
- Afternoon Anchor: Outside play + simple activity
- Evening Anchor: Dinner + family time + bedtime routine
These anchors in your Summer routine create a sense of safety and predictability, without locking you into a rigid plan. That’s exactly how I like to live our homeschool life!
2. Keep Mornings Intentional (But Simple)
I like to start our mornings with a little something to ground our day—nothing fancy! A simple morning basket with a Bible story, some read-alouds, and a quiet table activity is more than enough. It gives my kiddos a calm start, and I get a few minutes to sip my coffee before the chaos begins. This also makes our Summer routine resemble our usual daily homeschool routine, so there’s very little transition for us.
For toddlers and preschoolers, this might look like:
- A Bible board book
- A few manipulatives or puzzles
- Crayons and a coloring sheet
For early elementary kiddos:
- A chapter book or devotional
- A seasonal literacy/math review page
- A drawing prompt or journal
3. Make Outside Time a Priority
Summer was made for outside play. It wears the kids out, sparks creativity, and gives us all a break from indoor messes. We like to aim for morning outside play before it gets too hot and evening walks after dinner when everyone needs to shake the sillies out. You don’t need a big backyard—bubbles, sidewalk chalk, a sprinkler, or even just a nature walk around the neighborhood can do wonders.
4. Rotate Simple Activities
Keeping little ones busy doesn’t mean you need Pinterest-worthy crafts every day. Set up a weekly rotation of simple activities in your Summer routine and EVERYONE will be happy. Think:
- Monday: Water play
- Tuesday: Sensory bin
- Wednesday: Library day
- Thursday: Craft or playdough
- Friday: Movie + popcorn afternoon
Reusing ideas keeps things manageable for you and helps kids know what to expect! And remember – these are simply ideas, not rules. If it’s a billion degrees outside and your kiddos are loving water play every day, GO FOR IT! The goal is to keep the troops happy, so mix and match themed days as you need!
5. Prioritize Quiet Time
Even if your little ones don’t nap anymore, quiet time is a game-changer. Set aside 30–60 minutes in the afternoon where everyone does something independently—puzzles, books, audiobooks, or quiet toys.
It gives Momma a much-needed breather (can I get an amen?) and helps kids learn the value of slowing down. Quiet time is a staple both in and out of our Summer routine, and a special time of day that we ALL look forward to – not just Momma!
6. Don’t Forget Learning Can Be Simple, Too
You don’t need a full curriculum during the summer, but a little intentional learning goes a long way. Think short and sweet:
- 10–15 minutes of math or phonics review
- Educational games or flashcards
- Read-aloud time during snacks or meals
- Fine motor skills practice activities
- Outdoor exploring for Science fun
If you’re looking for printable Summer learning packs, I’ve got you covered! Click the button below to browse TONS of activities (including print-and-go fun) for toddlers, Preschoolers and even early elementary kiddos!
7. Leave Room for Rest and Fun
The beauty of summer is the slower pace. Say yes to popsicles on the porch, spontaneous library visits, and lazy afternoons. Not every day needs to be “productive.” Sometimes the best memories (and the most productive rest times) are made in the unplanned moments.
Momma, your summer routine doesn’t have to be packed or perfect to be meaningful. A simple Summer routine with a few rhythms and a whole lot of grace will bless your home—and give you more room to enjoy these sweet (and sometimes sticky) summer days with your little ones.
With love and coffee,
The Stay-at-Home Teacher
LET’S HANG OUT!
I’d love to chat and get to know you better! You can find us below in some of our favorite places to hang out. Can’t wait to chat with you about your family’s homeschool learning journey!
SAVE THIS POST FOR LATER!
Was this post about our simple Summer routine helpful? Make sure you can come back to this post as much as you need by saving it for later on Pinterest! Click the image below to save this pin to your Summer activities boards! Then, CLICK HERE to read about more of our favorite Summer learning activities!
0