Summer just started and you’re probably wondering how to keep your kids occupied and productive during their free time. Routines and behavior charts can be a game changer! Not only do they help children understand what is expected of them, but they also teach them responsibility, accountability, and time management skills.

Behavior and routine charts help kids understand what is expected of them each day. They provide a visual reminder of the tasks they need to complete and help them stay motivated to do them. Behavior charts can also be a great way to reinforce positive behavior and discourage negative behavior.

I made these behavior and routine charts to help them visually see what I expected of them each day. I haven’t made a behavior chart for my 2-year-old yet, but she’s learning to look at the icons of the routines and follows along with the boys.

Each day they wake up they look at their routine chart, which I’ve taped up to the end of their bunk bed. They never ask me what they have to do, and they know if they want screen time later they have to do productive activities first.

Creating Routine Charts

To start, create a routine chart to help your kids visually see what you expect of them each day. You can use cute icons to help non-readers understand the routines. Here are the steps:

1. Choose a routine chart template: We’ve included a pre-made routine chart template with cute icons, as well as a blank version that you can fill out yourself. You can also edit the blank version with the editable files provided.
2. Fill out the chart: Fill in the chart with the routines you want your kids to follow, such as wake up time, breakfast, chores, exercise, and screen time.
3. Display the chart: Print out the chart and display it in a prominent location where your kids can see it every day. You can tape it to the end of their bunk bed, put it up on their bathroom mirror, or hang it on the wall.

Creating Behavior Charts

Behavior charts are a great way to encourage positive behavior and track progress. Here are the steps to create behavior charts for your kids:

1. Choose a behavior chart template: We recommend using a clear folder or laminating it to protect the chart and using a wet erase marker to give stars each day. We’ve included a blank behavior chart template that you can fill out yourself.
2. Define rewards: Let your kids choose their own rewards as an incentive for good behavior. For example, you can give a monetary reward or a trip to Chuck E. Cheese’s.
3. Display the chart: Print out the chart and put it on a clipboard. Leave it on the counter so you can refer to it whenever you catch your kids being good. Use the wet erase marker to give them stars each day.

Customize the Charts

Routine and behavior charts have numerous benefits for kids and parents. They help kids develop good habits and teach them responsibility, accountability, and time management skills. They also make life easier for parents by reducing fighting and whining, and by helping kids do their jobs without constant reminders.

To motivate your kids to complete their tasks, consider offering an incentive or reward. This could be anything from screen time to a special treat or activity. Encourage your child to choose a reward that they are excited about, and use it as a motivator to keep them on track.

As an incentive I let them choose their own reward. My oldest who is 7 really wants an iPod, so each week he wants a reward of $10. We don’t give our kids an allowance, but I think this is a great way for him to learn how to better behave to earn his own money. My 5 year old wanted a trip to Chuck E. Cheese’s.

This routine really helps them earn points/stars on their behavior charts! They are no longer fighting or whining as much, and they are doing their jobs without me asking them to. They cooperate together and help each other out. Sometimes they try to split up tasks just to finish faster, but as long as their jobs are done, and no one’s fighting, I’m a happy momma!

I’m not using the chore charts, but I included a blank one just in case anyone wanted to use it. I think the behavior chart and routines covers most of the kids’ chores already. They know what to do when I ask them to clean up (pick up toys, make their beds, wipe down surfaces, empty dishwasher, pick up living room, etc).