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Toddler schedules are a must!
And before you start to sweat because the word “schedule” stresses you out!
Please let me put you at ease.
A toddler schedule at home for 2 year olds, 3 year olds, preschoolers and older…
Do. Not. Need. to be stressful!
The whole point of a toddler schedule at home is to help YOU out and of course your child.
But, you get it. It’s not supposed to add one more thing to your list of things to do.
That’s why I’m here…I am going to show you that creating a toddler schedule and setting up daily routines will save your sanity.
Creating a daily schedule for toddlers at home can be a great way to help young children learn how to manage their time and develop good routines.
A daily toddler schedule should include a mix of activities such as free play, quiet time, independent play time, and screen time. It should also include nap time, which is especially important for young children…
And for moms who like to relax or get things done while the kids are asleep! I relax and get things done depending on my mood that day, haha!
A sample schedule can be a great starting point for creating a daily routine, but it is important to adjust it to fit the needs of your toddler. You can download a FREE sample schedule here!
Why is a schedule for 2 year olds (and older) important?
Let me paint a picture for you that you may be familiar with.
It was only 8:30am.
We had already played with every toy in the house which were now spewed everywhere in a perfect kind of order for me to step on all the small, sharp pieces.
The mom guilt was setting in because I had let my son have a marathon viewing session of Paw Patrol.
I was losing my patience with myself and my toddler by the second.
Did I mention it was only 8:30am?!
That was just the beginning of a long day that ended with me hiding in my closet for a few sanity seconds. Have you done that?!
I needed a plan for our day. It didn’t have to be rigid but it did need to happen and stat!
My education background (I taught K and 1st) taught me that daily routines for kids gives them a better understanding of their world and make them feel secure.
When I was a teacher in the classroom I spent hours planning and preparing for the week ahead. I wanted to make sure I had everything I needed for the activities we were going to do and allotted time to do them.
Why should my preparation with my own children be any different?!
How to Start Toddler Schedules?
The first thing you need to do is sit down and think about…
- What you want your days to look like?
- What are things that you need to get done?
- What are the things that are going to be a win for you and your child(ren)?
After doing this for me and my family, I came up with ideal toddle scheduleS and realistic toddler schedules.
This way I would have an ideal toddlers schedule for most days, but a realistic toddler schedule for days that don’t go ideally (think melt downs, blow-out diapers and crayons on the wall).
And real talk…there are those days where any kind of schedule is not going to work. You know when life hits you in the face. Don’t worry, I got you covered!
For those days I have found that it’s important to havedaily routines in place. Ones you do every day and at leastprovide a foundation on days that go a little (or a lot) to the left.
This way your toddler still has a since of structure in their day even when the schedule is not going to happen.
But, we’ll touch more on routines a little later. For now, let’s dive into the toddler schedules..
And please remember all of this is ideal and meant to serve as a baseline. You can use flex times and make this schedule work for you.
It can also be for an 18 month schedule or 20 month schedule.
Now that we have all the “no mom guilt allowed disclaimers” out of the way. Let’s get started. 🙂
Ideal Schedule for 2 Year Olds
- 7:00am Wake-Up/Morning Routine
- 8:00am Sensory Play/Learning Activity
- 9:00am Go on an Outing
- 11:00am Lunch/Meal Time Routine
- 12:00pm Nap/Nap Routine
- 3:00pm Wake-Up/Snack
- 3:30pm Park/Play Outside
- 4:30pm Independent Play
- 5:30pm Dinner/Meal Time Routine
- 6:30pm Family Play Time
- 7:00pm Bed Time Routine
- 7:30pm Time for Bed
Related: Over 30 Easy Indoor Activities for Toddlers
Ideal Schedule for 2 Year Old Explained {Toddlers Schedule}:
7:00am—Wake-Up/Morning Routine
Once they’re up, go in and greet them and tell him/her what you are going to do that day while getting a fresh diaper (if needed).
Go to the kitchen to begin our morning routine. This includes him helping prepare and pick his breakfast. Then eating and cleaning up his breakfast.
This is definitely a work in progress! It doesn’t go this smoothly every day but we do work on it every day. Consistency is the key!
8:00am—Sensory Play/Learning Activity
This is when the real fun begins!
Like I mentioned before, I was a teacher before becoming a stay at home mom. So, I like to utilize learning activities as much as I can.
I have found that when learning is fun kids retain a lot more. Especially for toddlers who will not sit still for very long.
Flour sensory play is always a go to for me because it’s so easy! We made cloud dough that I’ve stored in a rubbermaid and kept for a year now!
We stick to a lot of motor skills activities right now because that’s where his interests lies.
You could also do the sponge letters and have your toddler match them to the letter you wrote with dry-erase marker.
Having simple indoor activities for toddlers at your fingertips is always a good thing!
I like to have a few thing in mind as back up in case the one I planned for us to do doesn’t go well.
And if you’re interested in customizing your toddler schedule visual. You can get this schedule I’ve put in my Etsy shop. I’ll be happy to customize the name, color, or what you want on your visual daily schedule!
Or, I also made this EDITABLE TODDLER SCHEDULE that you can edit on your own plus I’ve included a blank copy if you’d rather print it out then write on it.
9:00am—Go on an Outing
Leave the house to go on an adventure!
Sometimes that literally means driving to McDonald’s for a Diet Coke just to get out of the house.
Other times it means going on a play date or visiting family.
Here are a few other simple ideas for outings with your toddlers:
- Library
- Mall Playground
- Outside Playground
- The Pet Store
- Local Science Museum
- Target (to play with their toys and then leave them there:))
- Hiking
Just get out of the house. It’s good for you and your toddler.
RELATED: 21 Best Lollipops for Toddlers (organic and can be good for them)
11:00am—Lunch/Meal Time Routine
We keep lunch meals pretty simple.
A protein (usually egg or cheese), fruit and if I’m lucky some sort of vegetable.
Side note, if your toddler doesn’t love to eat vegetables, like mine.
Make a smoothie and put spinach in them. They’ll never knows he/she drank a vegetable!
I usually add bananas, berries, flax seed and spinach. It makes me feel a lot better about him not eating the vegetables I attempt to serve him.
After he’s finished he helps me clean up so he can feel some responsibility.
Right now that means him putting his dish next to the sink or wiping down the table.
12:00pm—Nap/Nap Routine
For nap time we change back in jammies (because I’m a germaphobe).
Then we read two books (only two because he’ll keep asking for more if I don’t stop it there).
I say a prayer and them put him in bed with his paci and lovies.
He usually sleeps between 1-3 hours. It’s pretty much a toss up. You never know what you’re gonna get.
Also, if your child does not nap. Don’t fret!
You can start setting expectations for quiet time. Here’s how…
- Set boundaries – tell them to stay in their room unitl you come back to let them know they’ve completed quiet time.
- Give them activities – set out books they can look out, blocks, toys that you feel like they’ll be calm while playing with. You can also give them paper and crayon if you feel like they can be left alone (and that’s a big leap of faith, haha).
This way you both still get a moment to yourself. Nap time is pretty sacred time (especially for us moms).
3:00pm—Wake-Up/Snack
My sone usually wakes around 3:00pm and I’ll have a little snack prepared for him.
Snack usually consists of fruit, crackers or cereal.
As he eats snack I usually let him watch a show because it’s the only time he’ll cuddle with me.
Plus, it’s nice to sit down together for a second!
3:30pm—Park/Play Outside
By this time he’s ready to stretch his eyes and see some daylight.
If I’m short on time(which is most of the time) he’ll just play in the backyard since we have some great summer toys that he loves.
But, if time allows we venture off to the local playground or take a walk.
Basically the goal is to get some fresh air and that could take on many different forms.
Related:
4:30pm—Independent Play
Real talk, during this time I’m busy cooking dinner.
We are really trying to work on independent play because we have a baby on the way!
So, I’ve been trying to make some busy bag choices for him to pick.
Since the whole point of these bags is to have all the materials at their finger tips so they can do it independently.
Independent play does not come naturally to a lot of kids. That’s why we are practicing.
The hope is that he’s comfortable to play on his own for a while.
That way I won’t feel as guilty while I attempt to breastfeed his sibling.
But, independent play can help you out in so many ways!
5:30pm—Dinner
This is one of my favorite times because we get to sit down as a family, take a breath and be together.
Although, this togetherness usually lasts about 5 minutes.
Toddlers seem to be finished eating fairly quickly!
When he’s done eating and decides he wants to get down we have told him that he has to ask, “may I be excused?”
It’s just a way from preventing him from feeling like he runs the show. And it’s really cute watching him try to remember the worlds he’s supposed to say.
6:30pm—Family Play Time
This time goes so quickly. We usually try to dance, play in the backyard or go for a walk.
Or, I try to fold some never ending laundry while my husband wrestles with the kids.
7:00pm—Bed Time Routine
We do a bath every night. Also, if you’re child doesn’t like baths (like ours). Try popsicle baths.
It’s a great motivator and usually lasts the length of a bath. Bribing with popsicles is just one of the things I didn’t know I’d do with my toddler.
7:30pm—Time For Bed
We try to keep this routine as simple as possible.
Brush teeth, jammies, lotion, lovies and paci.
Once we have all the necessities. My husband reads two books to him and then puts him to bed.
Now for the days when things go less than ideal, which seems to happen A LOT for us.
Here is the Realistic Toddler Schedule:
Realistic Toddler Schedule
- 7:00am Wake-Up, Morning Routine
- 8:00am TV time/Mom works out
- 9:00am Go on an Outing/House Cleaning
- 11:00am Lunch/Meal Time Routine
- 12:00pm Nap/Nap Routine
- 3:00pm Wake-Up, Snack
- 3:30pm TV time/Cuddle
- 4:30pm Independent Play/Finish Cleaning
- 5:30pm Take-Out Dinner
- 6:30pm Family Play Time
- 7:00pm Bed Time Routine
- 7:30pm Time for Bed
Realistic Toddler Schedule Explained:
7:00am—Wake-Up/Morning Routine
Even when our day doesn’t go exactly as planned we always stick to our routines. This daily routine chart helps give my toddler a visual que as to what to do next.
So, he still knows we’ll eat breakfast, comb hair and get dressed. It provides some sanity to our “realistic” day.
8:00am—TV time/Mom Works Out
Sometimes I don’t get up in enough time to work out before he is up.
I also don’t always have a great sensory activity prepared because I’m human.
So, on those days I allow him to watch 20-30 minutes (or sometimes more) of a show while I work out. I know it’s not the greatest thing but I also figure it’s not the worst.
Or, if I don’t feel like working out I’ll hold him and we watch TV as long as he lets me.
Because let’s be real, I don’t work out every day.
9:00am—Go on an Outing/House Cleaning
On these days our “outing” literally tuns into a long drive so I can listen to a podcast and my toddler can have some down time.
Also, I’m not gonna lie. House cleaning has taken a major hit since becoming a mom. It’s just hard to get it done without someone trailing behind you and undoing what you just did.
So, I’ve incorporated it into our day and try to make it fun for my toddler to help.
Of course that doesn’t always work and that’s when I encourage independent play again so I can get rid of some dust bunnies.
11:00am—Lunch/Meal Time Routine
Again, even on days that aren’t ideal we always stick to our routines.
So, at lunch time we eat and clean-up.
Also in reality, somedays he has no interest in what I prepared for him (aka only wants fruit).
That’s when I pick my battles and try to remember that sometimes I don’t want a certain type of food either.
I feel like toddlers would snack all day if we let them and sometimes I do. Because the whole pick your battles thing.
12:00pm—Nap/Nap Routine
This is a routine I NEVER mess with. Oh, unless he falls to sleep in the car and then I very cautiously transfer him to bed because if he wakes up that nap is ruined forever and somedays the nap is ruined. And then I cry, just kidding (kind of).
3:00pm—Wake-Up/Snack
We never miss a snack! It may not be organic and grass fed but it’s a snack .
Related:Healthy Toddler Snacks on The Go
3:30pm—TV time/Cuddle
Somedays you just don’ t have it in you to move anymore.
That’s when we turn on a little Bob the Builder and cuddle. Honestly, I let him watch TV sometimes just so he’ll cuddle with me. Again with the bribery. I’ve mentioned this a few times but I cherish all the cuddles I can get!
4:30pm—Independent Play/Finish Cleaning
This is when he plays on his own while I attempt to finish the cleaning that I started earlier. Oh and laundry. There’s always laundry.
5:30pm—Take-Out Dinner
What sounds good tonight? Pizza! Or whatever requires me not cooking!
Thank God for delivery. There are days when cooking just isn’t going to happen.
And for nights that you go to a restaurant. I’ve created atoddler restaurant kitto help your toddler stay entertained.
So, you can enjoy your meal instead of picking mac and cheese off the floor. I promise you this kit has changed our restaurant going lives!
6:30pm—Family Play Time
Sometimes this turns into dad plays with toddler while I finish cleaning the house and the mess from dinner. Or sometimes I’m just over adulating and I’ll sit down and scroll Instagram while they play. Because even moms need some time to check out.
7:00pm—Bed Time Routine
Always keep the same bed time routine!
7:30pm—Time For Bed
Same here! We always do the same thing for bed time routine. Well, because we like sleep!!
And lastly, a schedule for those summer days. When the air just feels a little different and things can go hay wire if you let it. I speak from experience!
Ok, for an added bonus. I’m going to share an easy summer schedule with you. Because Summer just has an attitude about it that demands a change from our normal every day schedule.
Summer Toddler Schedule
- 7:00am Wake-Up, Morning Routine
- 8:00am Morning Walk
- 9:00am Summer Outing
- 11:00am Independent Play
- 12:00pm Lunch/Meal Time Routine
- 1:00pm Nap/Nap Routine
- 3:00pm Wake-Up, Snack
- 3:30pm TV time/Cuddle
- 4:30pm Play Outside
- 5:30pm Dinner
- 6:30pm Family Play Time
- 7:00pm Bed Time Routine
- 7:30pm Time for Bed
Summer Toddler Schedule
7:00am—Wake-Up/Morning Routine
It’s best to keep things as routine as possible. Even during the summer when schedules are more lax. Your kids will still wake up at the same time. So, it make since to keep the same routine.
8:00am—Morning Walk
Summer days get hot very quickly! And getting out for a morning walk is a great way for you to clear your head and for your toddler to get some fresh air.
All before you start sweating profusely!
9:00am—Summer Outing/Activity
Again, summer is hot! Especially in Tennessee. So, it’s best to do your outings and activities before it’s 1,000 degrees.
Here is a great list of activities to do with your kids this summer. Including indoor, outdoor and outing ideas!
11:00am—Independent Play
Once you have had a lot of interaction with them and there “attention bucket” is full. It’s time for independent play!
12:00pm—Lunch/Meal Time Routine
If the weather is nice and it’s not too hot. This is a great time for a picnic in your own backyard!
But, by all means. If the bugs are out and you’re too sticky keep that food inside.
Your kids are likely exhausted by this point anyways.
1:00pm—Nap/Nap Routine
This is the same nap routine we follow no matter what. That I mentioned in the first schedule example.
3:00pm—Wake-Up/Snack
Time for a quick snack as they are still waking up from their nap.
3:30pm—TV time/Cuddle
I think TV can be used as a tool for learning and tool for me to get some cuddle.
Here are some great educational shows:
- Super Why!
- Word World
- Sesame Street
- Daniel Tigers Neighborhood
- Storybots
- Dinosaur Train
4:30pm—Play Outside
It should start cooling off by now, so it’s safe to venture outdoors once again!
Sometimes I let my son play outside while I make dinner.
5:30pm—Dinner
We try to eat dinner as a family most nights. It’s a great way to hear about each other’s days. And if you can’t get your toddler to talk.
Ask these questions:
- What was your favorite part about today?
- Was someone nice to you?
- Were you nice to someone else?
6:30pm—Family Play Time
This could be another out time play if you like or just stick to a simple board game if you are exhausted yourself!
7:00pm—Bed Time Routine
Always keep the same bed time routine!
7:30pm—Time For Bed
Always the same! And since our son is now in a toddler bed! We use this one and love it!
We’ve implemented a toddler clock. It turns green when he can get out of bed. It’s taken some consistent training but it now works like a charm!
And full disclosure sometimes nothing on andy of these toddler schedules happen, but routines ALWAYS do. As long as you keep a routine your kids will feel like there is structure to your day(and so will you).
A daily routine chart is a great way to nurture independence. Instead of you saying fifty times “go brush your teeth!” They’ll know that it’s time to do that just by looking at their routine cards.
Use a printable routine chart to help teach your toddler independence and to keep your sanity!
It is always good to have visuals.
More than half of people are visual learners so posted in your home will help keep you on schedule. Wether they be routine cards or your actual toddler schedules.
It’s important to remember that an n interactive, yet flexible at home schedule or routine is an important thing to keep in mind when caring for a toddler.
It helps ensure that their developmental needs are being met and also provides structure during this big change in their lives.Because we all know lots of big changes happen during toddlerhood!
A toddler schedule or routine is a great way to keep track of their progress and dedication to their special needs when providing them with simple activities throughout their 24 hour period.
Finding the right balance in regards to the family’s needs and the toddler’s day is most important when deciding what kind of toddler schedule fits your family’s needs best!
Figuring out what is best for you and your family will help your day go smoothly!
So, if you’re asking “should toddlers be on a schedule?”
The answer is absolutely YES! It will make both of your lives so much easier and happier!!
Until next time, Go get ’em mama!
-Lindsey
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