Why Keeping a Routine During Summer Break is So Important for Kids

When the final school bell rings and summer break begins, most kids are thrilled to say goodbye to early wake-up calls, homework, and rigid schedules. And while summer should definitely include more freedom and fun, completely abandoning routines can lead to challenges—not just during the summer, but especially when it’s time to go back to school in the fall.

In this blog post, I’ll explain why it’s important to maintain some sense of routine during the summer months, and I’ll offer some practical ideas for keeping your child’s schedule active, engaging, and balanced.

Why It’s Important to Keep Routines Going in the Summer:

1. It Keeps Their Brain Engaged

When kids completely disconnect from learning, their academic skills can start to fade. It's often referred to as "The Summer Slide". A little structure during their summer break can help keep their mental muscles strong so that when they return to school, they won't feel so overwhelmed with their schoolwork.

2. It Helps Maintain a Healthy Sleep Schedule

While it’s okay to sleep in a bit over the summer months, allowing kids to stay up late and sleep until noon every day makes it really hard to adjust once school starts again. A consistent (but relaxed) "earlier" morning routine helps make the transition back to earlier school mornings a little easier to deal with.

3. It Makes the Back-to-School Transition Easier

Routines during the summer will help kids stay used to having a schedule. When they stay somewhat active and engaged all summer long, returning to a more structured school day doesn’t feel like such a big shock.

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Here are Some Fun Ways

to Keep Kids in a Routine During Summer

1. Join a Library Reading Program

Encourage your child to participate in a summer reading programs through your local library. Or you can also make reading fun by having your child read a book that’s been turned into a movie. After they finish the book, watch the movie together and talk about what were some of the differences between the book and the movie. Or, you can discuss some of the things the movie left out or what they could have done differently to make the movie (or book) more suspenseful or more interesting. You can even talk about plot twists that would have made the movie (or book) better. It’s a great way to boost retention of what they read as well as boost storytelling creativity!

2. Sign Up for a Summer Sport

If your child loves sports, keeping them active with a summer league can help maintain physical fitness and team-building skills. Plus, it’s a great way for them to meet new friends and socialize!

3. Keep Up With Music Practice

If your child plays an instrument in the school band during the school year, consider enrolling them in a band camp over the summer or taking weekly lessons. It will help them keep their skills sharp and help them return to the school year ready to play with more confidence.

4. Explore Creative Activities

Summer is a great time for artistic kids to dive into creative passions. Signing them up for drawing, painting, or pottery classes will help keep their creativity flowing. It’s more than just fun — it will help keep their creative thinking sharp too.

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Summer doesn’t have to be tightly scheduled—but maintaining a light, flexible routine can give kids the freedom to enjoy their break while still supporting their growth and development. With just a little planning, you can help your child have a fun summer while making the transition back to school in the fall a lot less stressful and a lot more manageable.

Looking for more tips to stay organized and balanced all year long? Follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube for more ideas to help your family thrive!

Happy Organizing!!!