5 Realistic Daily Schedules for Kids, From Ages 0 to 11, According to Experts

Weekends are supposed to be days of leisure and rest…and yet that’s not always the case when you have kids who require constant engagement. For me, that looks like me trying to figure out how to fill a whole day with activities while my kids turn my home into an even bigger mess and/or start bickering. On these days—and especially when the weather doesn’t lend itself to a pleasant afternoon outdoors—the hours seem to crawl by and patience wears thin.

If any of this sounds relatable, you might be wondering what you can do to reign in the mayhem and enjoy a day that feels both productive and wholly positive. I’ve been told (both by well-meaning friends and childhood experts) that the solution is to create a daily schedule for kids to help give them (and yourself) structure. Easier said than done, though, right? 

But before you roll your eyes at the idea of a color-coded, Insta-perfect schedule that accounts for every minute of your child’s life (including a back-up plan for inclement weather), keep reading; I have consulted moms and experts to put together some children’s daily schedules that are actually doable, and I garnered some useful schedule-making tips along the way. Use the following information as a starting point to plan an itinerary that works for your family, and remember that flexibility is key.

• Dr. Jarret R. Patton is a pediatrician with over 21 years of experience and the award-winning author of the Whose Bad @$$ Kids Are Those? book series. Dr. Patton is also an educator, advocate and sought-after speaker who’s committed to transforming healthcare and empowering communities.
• Toby Walker is the Vice President of BASIS Independent Schools where he leads a network of schools where students thrive in a culture of excellence and achieve extraordinary outcomes. After earning his degree in Politics from the University of Sussex, Mr. Walker done public policy research with a focus on education and skills and spent time working in education across three continents.

Schedules are incredibly useful for parents and kids alike—namely because they help minimize indecision, chaos and all the other consequences of poor planning (i.e., that oh s*** moment when you realize it’s 6 p.m. and you haven’t thawed any meat and have no idea what to make for dinner). What’s more, Dr. Jarret tells us that “having a daily schedule for your child helps them feel safe by knowing what to expect…[and allows them] to feel some control in their environment, which can also reduce symptoms of anxiety by providing a set of daily expectations.” You don’t need to have an iron-clad structure for every day, but a loose schedule will also ensure that your growing child’s needs are consistently met in a way that doesn’t involve power struggles (and you pulling your hair out). The takeaway? When you take steps to reduce anxiety and stress by creating a schedule, everyone thrives.

• Focus on self-care…and practice what you preach. Walker notes that self-care is incredibly important for academic and general life success: “the best preparation for success within school is having a good amount of exercise, going to bed at the right time, eating well, and making sure a child feels physically ready to put the best foot forward academically and intellectually.” I’m going to go out on a limb and say that this principle applies to weekend parenting, too. Bottom line: Don’t throw all routines and rules out the window, but be prepared to adapt and—most importantly—be kind to yourself because that’s a valuable lesson your child will learn just from watching you.
• Get kids involved. Some to-dos are non-negotiable (like tidying up toys or doing math homework). But otherwise, let your children have a say in how their days are structured. When it comes to homework, it’s particularly important to “try to foster and support autonomy for children. This promotes a feeling of agency within managing their academic lives and schedules,” says Walker, adding that this pays dividends when kids get to high school and have an understanding of their personal needs when it comes to finding the right time and place to study. 
• Mix things up. When it comes to crafting an ideal schedule for kids, the pediatrician emphasizes the importance of including a good variety of activities. Make sure your schedule involves a healthy mix of exercise, downtime, screen time, homework time and reading. That last one is particularly important: “Generally, 20-30 minutes of reading time daily with your young child will help them gain higher literacy skills, learn a larger vocabulary, and form a love for books. Children of all ages should have reading time included in their daily schedules,” says Dr. Jarret.
• Be a good listener. Does your child get antsy when sitting down for too long? If so, it’s important to pay attention to their needs. Whatever the scenario is, be it homework/reading time or physical activity, listen to your child. “[Children] also need to know how to recognize when they need a break. As a parent it is important to step in if you think your child is tired or not feeling well, but really trust them. If they think they can take 30 minutes now, then they can take 30 minutes. If they think they can push through and [continue with whatever activity] for another 30 minutes, then trust them in that as well,” says Walker.. 
• Limit screen time (when you can). Excessive screen time should be avoided whenever possible, so do your best to abide by the recommended screen time guidelines. Still, it’s okay if there are some days you need to rely on it more than others, especially if you don’t have extra support from a partner or child care provider. We’re all just doing our best. That’s the mantra, right?
• Have a couple of back-up activities ready to go. When your kid’s playdate gets canceled or you have an unexpected personal call, have a few things to do in your back pocket that you can whip out at a moment’s notice to keep your kid occupied. Think: crafts for toddlers, STEM activities for kids or brain-busting puzzles.
• Be flexible. Maybe your kids woke up on the wrong side of the bed, maybe you’re not feeling as energetic as you hoped. Whatever the case may be, it’s OK to scrap some of your more ambitious plans and be flexible with the schedule. (i.e., forget the playdough making you had planned, and sit down for story time instead. Your kid has a hankering for Rice Krispies squares...on a Tuesday? Check out these easy baking recipes for kids.)

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