Free Printable Kid's Daily Schedule Template

When you’re at home with kids, everyday can start to feel the same. Like you’re in a time loop a la Bill Murray in Groundhog’s Day.

The house gets trashed, you feed your kids, they finally go to bed (after a loooong bedtime routine), and you feel both completely exhausted AND like you accomplished nothing.

What? How can this be!?!

And then you wake up and do it again.

I get it. I’ve been there. And the best way to take back control and add structure and organization to your day is by getting your kids on a schedule. And this kid’s daily schedule template is here to help.

In this article, we’re going to cover how to create the BEST daily schedule for your child. And how to make those most of this free routine chart.

(If you’re just here for the free printable, you can scroll to the bottom and grab that)

TIPS TO USE THE KID’S DAILY SCHEDULE TEMPLATE

The best schedules provide a structure to your day without being overpacked and restrictive.

If a schedule feels suffocating–like you don’t have time to be stuck in traffic or for your kid to have a potty accident without losing it–then that, my dear, is far too restrictive.

A daily schedule should provide a framework that moves the day along. That allows you and your child to accomplish important things each day.

It should give your child time to both do chores and make mud pies. And it should also give you time to relax and snuggle.

A great schedule has empty spaces that allow for the unexpected to crop up. Because it always does.

WHAT YOUR CHILD NEEDS OUT OF A DAILY SCHEDULE

Here are a few things to consider when building the RIGHT schedule for you and your little one.

You child needs:

1. Structure and routines they can expect and rely on in an uncertain world.

Every notice how when routines get thrown off, you have more tantrums? With so much out of their control, kids find comfort in repeating patterns. Creating reliable schedules and routines for your child (that aren’t too restrictive) will create calmer, more peaceful household.

Looking for a great routine chart? Check out Free Printa b le Kid’s Daily Routine Chart.

2. Time to learn the important skills of self care

Childhood is time for kids to learn the skills that they’ll need in life. Skills like taking care of themselves physically–like brushing their teeth, bathing, making small snacks.

3. Daily chores

A study found that the best predictor of a child’s happiness in their 20s is whether or not they did chores as a kid. Which makes sense when you think about the benefits of chores on kids:

sense of independence
self esteem from feeling capable & helpful
the feeling of being an important part of the household
connectedness to family as everyone “pitches in”

For help on getting your kids to do chores, check out 13 Ways to Get Kids Excited About Chores.

4. Plenty of unstructured time to play

As Maria Montessori put it: “Play is the work of children.” And the American Psychological Association has said:

“A wealth of research shows that unstructured play–play that isn’t organized or directed by adults or older peers and that generally doesn’t have a defined purpose or outcome–is a fundamental necessity for children to throve physically, emotionally, mentally, and socially.”

Play is where they use their imagination, problem-solve and explore the world.

No matter what schedule you put together, be sure an include unstructured play both indoors and outdoors (weather permitting) where children can let their imaginations run wild.

To facilitate this kind of play, I love open-ended toys (like classic legos and tinker toys). They’re toys that can be used in many different ways depending on the mood and imagination of the child.

Here are a bunch of my favorite open ended toys and supplies that keep kids busy and engaged.

5. Enough sleep

When considering wake up and bedtimes, you want to make sure your child is getting enough sleep. This could be anywhere form 10-14 hours. Check out this children’s sleep guide for more information.

HOW TO USE THE PRINTABLE DAILY SCHEDULE

Before filling out this schedule, I recommend using a separate piece of paper to solidify the schedule and routines you want for your little one.

Once you’ve worked out the right routine, print the kid’s daily schedule template. Then fill out the schedule with start times and tasks.

Once complete, you can display the chart in a place your child can see. Personally, I like to laminate any charts and schedules so they can be reused weekly.

Or you can place in a picture frame with a glass front.

Then the child can use a dry erase marker to check off tasks. And you can erase and reuse. (I use this inexpensive laminator all the time!)

If you don’t want to laminate you can checkoff tasks with colorful pens, crayons, or use stickers or colorful pens to check off tasks.

EDITABLE DAILY SCHEDULE FOR KIDS

If you want to create a personalized schedule for your child, but you don’t really like your handwriting, I’ve got you covered.

Because I’m right there with you.

So I’ve created fillable daily schedules for kids that you can edit directly on your computer (using the free Adobe Acrobat) and then print out. There are 8 different styles for kids, depending on their interests (see picture below).

Click the picture below for more information.