Summer Daily Checklist for Kids (editable!)
If your kids need a little help getting through their daily tasks, and you’re tired of nagging, try giving them a personalized summer daily checklist to keep them on track!
As parents, one of our main jobs is to guide our kids toward being kind human beings who take responsibility for their own well-being.
No pressure, right?
At some point, you won’t be there to remind them to brush their teeth every morning, put on clean clothes, and generally take care of themselves and their surroundings.
You also probably don’t love being the nagging mom reminding them over and over to do the same things.
Still, most kids aren’t quite ready to fly solo in the “taking care of business” department.
If your kids are anything like mine, they occasionally forget to brush their teeth, and they may not completely see the value in helping around the house. Some days it may seem like they can’t do anything on their own (like finding a clean pair of socks).
But in reality, there are small and simple things you can do as a parent to nudge them in the right direction.
One of those things is using a daily checklist. Have you ever used one with your kids?
This strategy has been a game-changer at our house.
Why Using a Daily Checklist Works for Kids
1. It reduces nagging (for everyone)
Instead of constantly reminding your kids what needs to be done, you can point them to the checklist. The checklist becomes the “boss,” not you. You just point the kids to their checklist and allow them to take responsibility. Less pressure for you, and more learning for kids. Win!
2. It helps kids build independence & empowers them to succeed
Our kids can’t meet our expectations if they don’t know what they are. By writing down a list of daily tasks, we give them a tool that sets them up for success.
Kids can look at their list and know exactly what they need to do each day. Over time, these simple habits become routines they can manage independently.
3. It helps kids stay focused
Kids’ attention spans are short, and it’s hard for most kids to hold several tasks in their minds at once. Giving them a visual checklist to refer to helps them know where to look when they don’t know what to do next. It’s a simple strategy that can have a big impact.
This can be especially helpful for:
- Younger children
- Strong-willed kids
- Kids who struggle with focus or attention
- Children learning executive functioning skills
Sometimes the simplest systems really do work best.
How We Use Our Summer Checklist at Home
Every family is different, and you can set up your checklist system in whatever way works for you, but here’s what works for us:
Our family rule is that kids need to finish their checklist before doing any screentime or playing with friends.
We also give them allowance at the end of the week if they have completed their checklist every day (M-F). Weekends are a little loosey-goosey around here.
Our Setup
I laminated each child’s checklist and attached it to a clipboard hanging in the kitchen (you can see it in the picture above). We use dry erase markers so the kids can check off tasks each day and reuse the checklist all summer long.
At the top, there’s a place to track each weekday. Once all the tasks are completed for the day, they mark off that day as finished.
Then we wipe everything clean and start fresh on Monday.
Simple. Easy. Effective.
What Makes This Checklist Different Than the Other 532 Thousand on the Internet?
There are a bajillion (approximately) printable chore charts and kid checklists floating around the internet.
I know because I looked at just about all of them.
The problem? Most don’t actually work for real families because every family’s routines are different.
I hate when I find a really great printable online, but something about it doesn’t quite work for me. Different families, and even different kids within those families, need to have a checklist tailored specifically to them.
That’s why I made this summer checklist EDITABLE!
Most checklists either already have the tasks listed for you, which may not fit your family, or they just leave blank lines. Handwriting my own tasks is fine, but I like the look of the typed lists better (and then my kids can’t erase them!).
How You Can Customize This Summer Checklist
Using the customizable Canva template, you can:
- Edit the text completely
- Personalize chores and routines for each child
- Change colors and layouts
- Reprint updated versions anytime
- Create different checklists for different ages
Whether you have toddlers, elementary kids, or teens, you can make the checklist fit YOUR family.
And because the tasks are typed, they look clean, organized, and easy for kids to follow. I like things to be tidy, okay?
What You Can Include on Your Kids’ Summer Checklist
Need ideas for what to put on your child’s daily routine chart?
Here are a few popular checklist categories:
Morning Routine Ideas
- Brush teeth
- Get dressed
- Make bed
- Eat breakfast
- Brush hair
Chores for Kids
- Feed pets
- Empty dishwasher
- Put away laundry
- Clean bedroom
- Take out trash
Summer Learning Activities
- Read for 20 minutes
- Practice math facts
- Write in journal
- Practice instrument
- Complete summer workbook
Healthy Habits
- Play outside
- Drink water
- Exercise
- Quiet reading time
You won’t want to inlcude ALL of the items above, but choose the ones that are most important to you that your child develop as habits. See ours below:
Get Your Editable Summer Daily Checklist
If you’re ready to trade endless nagging for calmer mornings and more independent kids this summer, you can grab the editable printable checklist in my Etsy shop!
Because it’s editable, you can customize the template for each child, and if you realize after a few weeks that you need to make some adjustments to the checklist, no problem! You’ll have access to it forever and can continue to make changes and print as many copies as you need year after year!
What’s Included:
- Editable Canva template
- Multiple checklist pages
- Instant digital download
- Unlimited printing for personal use
- Easy customization with a free Canva account
Note: You do need to have a Canva account to access and edit the template. A basic account is free, and that’s all you’ll need to use all the features of this template.
If you love this summer checklist, there’s more where that came from! This summer checklist is included in Summer Made Simple: A Step-By-Step Guide To Planning Your Best Summer. Check it out!
Want More Simple Summer Ideas for Families?
If you’re trying to create a calmer, more intentional summer with your kids, these resources may help too: