Yay! It’s summer! For many families, that means swimming, popsicles, vacations—and a little chaos. While the warm months bring lots of fun, they can also be stressful for parents who suddenly find themselves trying to keep kids busy, entertained, and off screens (as much as possible).

Let’s be honest: summer doesn’t always look like the picture-perfect scenes we see in commercials. Some places are way too hot to be outside unless you're in a pool, and indoor activities can get expensive fast. That often leaves us stuck at home with bored kids climbing the walls.

But with a little planning and creativity, you can bring some calm to the chaos.

📅 A Little Structure Goes a Long Way

Try creating a simple daily schedule your kids can reference throughout the day. It doesn’t need to be rigid—just a basic routine like:

Breakfast → Inside activity → Lunch → Quiet time → Afternoon fun → Dinner

Let your kids help build their own schedule by choosing which activities they want to do. This gives them a sense of control and reduces how often you'll hear “I’m boooored!” Bonus: it’s also a sneaky way to include chores or light academic tasks in the day.

👋 Grab your FREE printable daily schedule template [HERE]

🎯 Be Creative (Even When You’re Tired)

If you're trying to get stuff done and don’t want to default to screen time, try this:

“Hey, let’s play a finding game! I’m going to think of something, and I want you to go find it and bring it to me. Ready? Find a spoon. GO!”

Your child runs off to search, while you fold the laundry. Each time they find an item, they toss it into a basket. At the end, have them return all the items to their homes—kids are usually happy to do this if the game was fun.

Make it more challenging for older kids:

• Find something that starts with the letter B

• Find something that rolls

• Find something with strings attached

This simple game keeps kids entertained, lets you get things done, and builds positive connection. The key? Your energy! If you act excited, they will be too.

🎬 Movie Days Are Totally Okay

Let’s normalize chill days. It’s okay to plan a movie day and fully lean in—build a blanket fort, gather snacks, and let the kids design a cozy watch space.

Worried about movie choice arguments? Try these tips:

• Use “Mom’s Choice” for a no-negotiation day

• Rotate turns between siblings

• Let them earn movie picks as a reward

☀️ Final Thoughts

Summer is a wonderful break from the school year and a great time for kids to enjoy freedom and fun—but it can still be hard on parents. With a little structure and some creative ideas, you can turn long days into something special (and keep your sanity too).

You’ve got this. HAGS. 😉