A simple planning tip to create a fun summer schedule for your kids
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Summer days can feel endless – and without a plan, they often slip by before we’ve done half the things we wanted to!
That’s why I started using a simple summer schedule for kids, one that keeps things fun, flexible, and easy to follow while making sure we have plenty of wonderful family moments along the way.
Recently, I put together our summer bucket list and promised myself to be more intentional about how we spend our time.
I wanted a schedule that wouldn’t feel rigid but would still help us make the most of the season.
After searching for ideas, I found one that I absolutely love and I think you will too!
A simple and fun way to plan your summer
Instead of planning each day from scratch, this approach makes things easy and exciting:
- Assign a theme to each day of the week (instead of planning individual activities).
- Repeat the schedule all summer long so kids know what to expect.
- Keep it flexible — swap days or change themes as needed.
By having a loose plan in place, kids look forward to each day, and planning becomes so much easier for us!
Summer schedule for kids: Daily theme ideas
Here are some fun theme ideas to choose from — pick the ones that fit your family best!
- Art Day – Set up a simple art project or let kids create freely.
- Cooking Day – Try a new recipe or let the kids help with a favorite meal.
- Craft Day – Fun DIY projects that spark creativity.
- Fun Games Day – Board games, card games, or active games outside.
- Library Day – Visit the library or have a cozy read-aloud session at home.
- Museum Day – Explore a museum, aquarium, or science center.
- Music Day – Play instruments, have a dance party, or make a playlist together.
- Nature Exploration Day – Take a walk, collect nature treasures, or go on a scavenger hunt.
- New Park/Playground Day – Visit a different park each week.
- Outdoor Play Day – Backyard games, bike rides, or sidewalk chalk fun.
- Parent-Child Date Day – One-on-one time doing something special together.
- Scavenger Hunt Day – Create fun challenges at home or outside.
- Science Day – Fun and easy experiments for curious minds.
- Sensory Play Day – Mess-free or messy sensory fun.
- Sports Day – Try a new sport or play active games.
- Trip Day – Take a day trip to explore a new place.
- Try Something New Day – Let kids pick a new activity or skill to try.
- Visit a Friend Day – Plan a playdate or meet up with family.
- Water Day – Sprinklers, water balloons, or pool fun.
With so many options, you can mix and match themes to create a schedule that works for your family.
Our daily summer themes
Here’s a plan I created for our family in a past summer:
- Monday – Outdoor Play Day: Lots of time outside playing games, riding bikes, and exploring.
- Tuesday – Scavenger Hunt Day: My youngest loves scavenger hunts, so I’ll prepare a new one each week!
- Wednesday – Nature Exploration Day: Walks, nature crafts, or a visit to a nearby trail.
- Thursday – Water Day: Pool time, water games, or a backyard splash session.
- Friday – Library Day: Picking out new books and enjoying a quiet reading day.
- Saturday – Daddy-Time Day: The kids spend time together with their dad while I get time to work and recharge.
- Sunday – Family Trip Day: Exploring new places and making summer memories together.
The best part about this schedule is that it’s so easy to follow! It gives us structure without pressure, and we can always swap days or adjust plans as needed.
This simple themed summer schedule has helped us make the most of our time together while keeping planning stress-free.
Whether you follow it every week or just use it for inspiration, it’s a great way to create a summer filled with fun, adventure, and connection.