A kids daily schedule chart template with picture cards is a LIFESAVER for keeping the family on track! Put an end to the constant “Mom, what are we doing next?” questions and give your kids a visual guide to follow their daily routine independently.
I don’t know about you, but the first thing I do when I get up in the morning (after coffee, of course) is check my schedule. Today I need to make the dinner menu for next week, then pay the power bill. After that, I’m going to do my workout video (since I skipped the last 3 days), get the laundry folded, and give the dog a bath. We’re having dinner with the neighbors tonight, so I should wrap up everything before 5:00 so I have time to wash the dog off of me before dinner.
Knowing what you’re doing for the day just makes you feel a bit more in control. Kids need that feeling, too!
Do your kids spend all day asking what’s coming next or when you’re doing {fill in the blank}? Do you waste hours (ok, maybe not hours, but it certainly feels like it) getting them ready for the next activity? Then you need a visual schedule!
Just imagine the possibilities. If your child could look at their picture chart and know that after their nap they are having a snack and then going outside to ride their bike, would they go down for a nap without a problem? Would you go the whole morning without hearing “when can we ride bikes?” Would they *gasp* put on their shoes without being asked 12 times?
If you’re struggling to keep your kids organized and on task throughout the day, you need to try using a printable visual routine chart for kids. To get you started, check out the Kids Morning Routine Chart and the Bedtime Routine Chart – these are perfect for establishing those crucial morning and evening routines.
So what exactly makes a visual kids daily schedule template so great? Let’s dive into the benefits:
Why You’ll LOVE this Printable Daily Schedule for Kids:
- Flexibility – The easy velcro picture cards let you move things around throughout the day! Planned to go to the park but it’s looking like rain? Quiet craft time, here we come.
- Visual Appeal – Kids are naturally drawn to pictures and visuals, making this schedule template both engaging and easy to understand. The picture cards provide a clear representation of each task or activity, eliminating confusion.
- Customizable – With a wide variety of picture cards included, you can tailor the kids daily routine template to fit your family’s unique routines and needs. Whether it’s soccer practice, homework time, or morning and evening responsibilities, you can create a personalized visual guide for your child.
- Printable and Reusable – This digital template can be printed as many times as needed, making it a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution. Laminate the kids schedule template and use velcro picture cards for added durability and reusability.
How Daily Routines Can Benefit Your Kids
As parents, we all want what’s best for our children’s growth and development. Establishing a consistent daily routine is one simple yet powerful way to support their overall well-being.
Here are just a few of the different ways that having a predictable schedule can help your child:
Better Behavior and Emotional Control
Kids thrive on predictability and structure. With a visual daily schedule, they know exactly what to expect each day. This sense of consistency helps reduce difficult times of anxiety, meltdowns, and behavioral issues.
According to a study published in the Journal of Family Psychology, children with predictable daily routines exhibited better emotional regulation and had fewer behavior problems (Bridley & Jordan, 2012).
Smarter and More Focused
Routines create an environment conducive to learning and retaining information. By following a schedule, your child’s brain gets used to focusing during specific daily tasks like homework time.
This structured approach can boost cognitive development and support better academic performance.
Restful, Quality Sleep
We all know how important a good night’s sleep is for kids. By making sure there is plenty of time for physical activity during the day and a consistent bedtime routine in the evening, you ensure your kids fall asleep faster and enjoy longer, higher-quality sleep. A well-rested child is a happy child!
Independence and Responsibility
With a visual schedule, kids learn to manage their own tasks and activities and build healthy habits. They’ll feel a sense of pride and accomplishment as they follow the routine independently.
This self-discipline will serve them well as they grow older and encounter more responsibilities.
Stronger Family Bonds
Family routines provide stability, security, and opportunities for quality time together. Whether it’s sitting down for meals, doing creative projects together, or doing a weekly house cleaning routine, these shared experiences strengthen your bond and create cherished memories.
By giving your children the gift of a consistent routine with a visual daily schedule, you’re setting them up for success in so many areas of life. Less stress, better focus, improved behavior – the benefits are endless!
Tips for Creating Your Kids Daily Schedule
Setting up a visual daily routine can seem overwhelming, but breaking it down into simple steps makes it manageable. Here are some tips to help you create an effective kid’s schedule that works for your family:
Brainstorm All Tasks and Activities
Start by making a comprehensive list of everything your child needs to do throughout the day. Be sure to think about school days, weekend days, school holidays, and the summer schedule. This includes:
- Daily activities like getting dressed, brushing teeth, and reading stories.
- Mealtimes and snack times
- Quiet time for independent play
- Outdoor play
- Screen time limits
- Chores or household responsibilities
- Homework periods for older kids
- Extracurricular activities and appointments.
- Whole family time like church and trips to the zoo
Let Your Child Take the Lead
Kids are far more likely to follow a routine when they feel ownership over it. Get your child’s input on the order of activities and let them pick out picture cards or visuals that appeal to their interests.
You can even have them help decorate the schedule itself with stickers, drawings or their favorite colors. This involvement will increase their enthusiasm about using the schedule.
Decide on Your Visual Format
There are lots of options for creating your visual schedule, so choose the best way for your entire family:
- Printable schedule with velcro picture cards – Like the HUGE kids’ routine chart bundle that I have listed in my shop!
- Whiteboards or chalkboards with removable visuals
- Digital calendars or apps
- Bulletin boards with movable images
- Laminated schedules using velcro cards
Consider your child’s age, interests and learning styles when choosing a format. For young kids, having physical, hands-on picture cards may work best – similar to my kids daily schedule template!
Choose a Prominent Display Location
Once created, hang or display the kids daily routine template somewhere your child will see it frequently. At their eye level on the fridge or a hallway wall works well. You can also attach it to the wall in their bedroom or playroom.
Use bright colors, fun visuals and display it in a high-traffic area to make it hard to miss.
Start Simple and Adjust Over Time
Begin with just the essential routines like mornings, meals, scheduled activities and bedtime. Once those are established, you can add more fun activities gradually.
Remember to stay flexible – if certain routines cause struggles consistently, it’s okay to modify or remove them. The important thing to remember is that routines should simplify your day, not cause more stress!
Use It Consistently
The key to any routine is consistency. Refer to the child’s schedule often, especially during transition times between activities. This reminds kids to follow along.
When they check the schedule independently, praise and celebrate that responsibility! You may need to redirect frequently at first, but stick with it!
Make It Fun and Engaging
Routines don’t have to be boring! Incorporate special songs, characters or rewards to make following the schedule feel like a game. Use a special voice, dance moves or funny noises when transitioning between activities on the schedule. This playfulness keeps kids engaged and motivated.
Offer Rewards and Incentives
Positive reinforcement works wonders when establishing new habits. Offer small rewards like stickers, treats or privileges when your child follows their schedule consistently. You can make a game of it by seeing how many days in a row they can earn a reward. A visual chore chart with a progress tracker works well for this.
Creating a customized visual schedule does take some upfront effort, but don’t get discouraged. With patience and consistency, your kids will soon embrace their daily routine. The long-term benefits of independence, responsibility and reduced stress will make it all worth it!
How to Assemble the Kids Visual Schedule
Creating your own visual daily routine chart is simple with these printable charts and picture cards. While it requires a little hands-on work initially, the payoff of streamlined routines makes it well worth the effort.
Here’s how to get everything ready:
- Print out the daily schedule template charts and picture cards on card stock or heavy printer paper. This printable bundle includes different chart options to fit your needs! The routine chart bundle in my SHOP includes 120 picture cards that can be used interchangeably on the Morning Routine Chart, Evening Routine Chart, Daily Routine Chart, and Chore Chart.
- Use a paper trimmer to precisely cut out the individual picture cards, ensuring straight edges.
- Laminate both the schedule chart templates and picture cards for durability. You can fit several cards into one lamination pouch as long as there’s a 1/4″-1/2″ border around each. *TIP – If you don’t have a laminator, then you can go to FedEx Kinko’s and use their laminator for about $3.00 per page – but by the time you laminate multiple pages it’s actually cheaper to buy your own laminator machine.
- Once laminated, carefully cut out the picture cards, leaving a 1/8″-1/4″ lamination edge to preserve the seal. You can see in the photo below the lamination edge around the visual routine cards.
- Attach velcro dot circles to the backs of each picture card. Use the soft, fuzzy side on the chart itself and the rough, spiked side on the cards for easy rearranging.
That’s it! Your reusable, customizable visual schedule is ready to assemble. Simply velcro on the relevant picture cards each morning to show your child’s daily routine of activities, tasks, appointments and more in an easy-to-follow layout.
The versatility of this kids daily routine template allows you to change up the routine as needed while providing kids with a consistent, predictable flow to their days.
**This printable kids daily schedule template is available in a bundle with Chore Charts, Morning and Evening Routine Charts, and a Daily Tasks Chart – with 120 picture cards that can be used on ALL of the charts! Get the Routine and Chore Chart Bundle in my SHOP Here!**
Pictures for Visual Schedules
The great thing about these printable kids’ routine templates is that they come with SO many different picture cards. In addition to all of the visual chore cards that are included in the Chore Chart and Routine Chart bundle, you’ll get picture cards for the following:
- Wake up
- Get dressed
- Put shoes on
- Eat breakfast
- Go to school
- Do homework
- Read a book
- Screen time
- Play outside
- Ride bikes
- Video game time
- Science
- Math
- Arts and Crafts
- Reading
- Language Arts
- Social Studies
- Computer and Technology
- Baseball
- Soccer
- Basketball
- Football
- Tennis
- Golf
- Cheerleading
- Dance
- Go to church
- TV time
- Go to doctor
- Go to dentist
- Exercise
- Wash hands
- Nap time
- Quiet crafts
- Go shopping
- Free play
- Take a shower
- Take a bath
- Brush teeth
- Floss teeth
- Mouthwash
- Put on pajamas
- Say prayers
- Lights out
- Bedtime story
- Go to sleep
Get the Printable Kids Daily Routine Template in my SHOP Here!
I hope this kids daily schedule template helps you and your family to develop good routines in your home! And don’t forget to PIN this post for later:
