Author: Jennie Monness and Allison Klein are the co-founders of Charmspring. They are both early childhood educators and parents.
Summer often brings a welcome shift in pace. Bedtimes get later, schedules become more flexible, and days fill with camp, beach trips, popsicles, and spontaneous adventures. But while summer may feel more relaxed, children still benefit deeply from simple routines and predictable rhythms.
The goal isn’t to recreate the structure of the school year. It’s to create enough consistency that children feel grounded, confident, and connected as the days become more flexible.
Often, it’s the smallest routines that end up making the biggest difference.
Outdoor Play, Every Day in Summer
Summer is the perfect season to prioritize making outdoor play part of the daily routine.
When outdoor play becomes part of the daily rhythm, children are much more likely to take ownership of it. One simple way to encourage independence is to involve kids in the preparation and planning. When possible give choices about the activity, asking questions like, “Would you like to go to the climbing playground or ride your bike in the park today?”
Before heading out for a walk, a park visit, or a family hike, invite your child to pack their own outdoor essentials. Favorite “tools” might include buckets, shovels, binoculars, and magnifying glasses. Kids can also help fill their own water bottles and pack easy snacks like trail mix, fruit, or mini sandwiches.
Using child-friendly containers like the Lalo Bento Box makes this much easier because children can independently open, close, and help pack it themselves. Small moments like these build confidence and executive function skills while making outdoor adventures feel even more exciting.
Create a Weekly Family Ritual
One of the easiest ways to bring connection into summer is by creating one simple family ritual that happens every week.
It doesn’t need to be elaborate. Think: Friday pizza night, Sunday morning pancakes, after-dinner walks, outdoor color scavenger hunt, or popsicles at the park every Wednesday.
Weekly rituals give children something to look forward to and help anchor the week. They also create easy opportunities for connection without requiring constant planning or expensive outings.
Try an Afternoon Bath
Summer days can be long, stimulating, and full of activity, especially for kids coming home from camp or spending hours outside. Instead of saving bathtime for right before bed, try moving it earlier in the day.
An afternoon bath can act as a reset between activities and help children regulate after heat, social stimulation, and busy schedules. Warm water, sensory play, and a calmer environment often help kids transition more smoothly into the evening.
Sometimes a simple shift in timing makes the entire second half of the day feel easier.
Create Anchors Throughout the Day
Summer doesn’t need a strict schedule, but having a few predictable moments throughout the day can help children feel more grounded.
Instead of planning every hour, focus on creating small “anchors” kids can count on: breakfast in the morning, quiet time after lunch, a daily walk, bath before dinner, or reading together before bed.
Visual routines can also help make summer plans feel easier to follow, especially when days look different from the school year and even week to week. Using a tool like the Springboard to map out the day gives children visibility into what’s coming next and helps reduce the constant verbal reminders parents often fall into during summer.
Even flexible structure helps children feel more secure, independent, and connected to the flow of the day.
Don’t Forget Quiet Time
Summer can be social and stimulating, but children still need intentional time to slow down and recharge. Even just 10–15 minutes of quiet play built into the routine can make a noticeable difference in mood, regulation, and behavior.
Creating a dedicated quiet-time setup helps children ease into independent play more naturally. The Lalo Play Kit is especially great for this because it creates a defined, kid-sized space perfect for creative play.
Favorite quiet-time ideas for kids:
✍️ Drawing Station
Set out paper, markers, crayons, colored pencils, scissors, and glue sticks for simple open-ended creating.
🖐️ Sensory Play
Playdough paired with loose parts like pom poms, shells, pebbles, popsicle sticks, or pipe cleaners creates an easy calming activity that kids return to again and again.
🌈 Craft Corner
Whether your child loves beading, Rainbow Loom, sticker projects, or collage-making, having materials accessible encourages independent creativity and gives kids a chance to truly unwind.
Bios:
About Jennie:
Jennie Monness is an early childhood educator with nearly two decades of experience working with children and their families. She’s the Co-Founder of Charmspring and Union Square Play. She received her M.S. degree in Psychology and Education from Teachers College.
About Allie:
Allison Klein is a co-founder of Charmspring and an early childhood educator, author and entrepreneur. She received a B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis, and a dual M.S.ED degree in Early Childhood and Childhood Education from Bank Street College of Education. Her work is focused on helping families find connection through play.
