Summer Survival Guide - A Simple Schedule That Keeps Kids Happy and Moms Sane

Kids blanket fort setup in the living room

Let’s be real - summer break is an exciting, yet chaotic time when the days are long, the snacks disappear in the blink of an eye, and you can’t remember the last time someone wasn’t asking you for something. If you have camps planned all summer, that’s one thing, but what about if you have free time in between camps and traveling?

You want the kids to have fun, make memories, and maybe even learn something. But you also want to stay away from a full-blown crammed schedule like the school year, and still like your family by the time August rolls around.

So, here’s the good news: You don’t need to schedule every second—or give in to total free-for-all chaos. The secret? Finding just enough structure to keep things flowing and leave plenty of space to breathe. For everyone in the household.

The Weekly Rhythm That Works (And Doesn’t Require tons of Calendar Invites)

Here’s a simple breakdown that hits the sweet spot between completely planned and fly by the seat of your pants.

Monday - Chill-at-Home Day

Embrace the glorious nothingness. This is the day for slow mornings, lazy PJs, catching up on laundry (or not), and giving everyone space to decompress. Perfect for easing back in from the weekend.

Tuesday – Small Field Trip Day

Think of an outing such as the splash pad, pool, park, or anything close and local. We had a blast at a local farm with a free tour. Just something to leave the house. Maybe bribe them with ice cream. If you can find a place with air conditioning that’s a great bonus.

Shaved ice from a vendor at the local farm

Wednesday – Enrichment Day

Kids choose how they would like to spend their day, but it has to involve some sort of learning or personal enrichment. If they want to watch documentaries all day about one subject, have at it. You would be surprised at how much they can learn about a subject when given the chance to choose!

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Thursday – Big Field Trip Day

This is your big ticket for the week. Activities such as an indoor trampoline park, museum, water park, nature center, video game arcade, movie, or out for lunch. These outings are great on Thursday because many camps plan to do Field Trips on Fridays so there’s a chance of avoiding the crowds.

Climbing the wall at the local trampoline park

Friday – Project Day

Here’s your chance to have fun with some STEAM activities and possibly create a theme day. Try Dinosaur Day (make fossils out of salt dough), Space Day (build a cardboard rocket), or Lemonade Stand Day (encourage their entrepreneurial skills).
Keep it simple. Let creativity—and the snack budget—lead the way.

*Bonus Sanity-Savers Every Parent Needs

The Yes Day (Within Reason)
Once a month let the kids take the lead for a day. They plan the day (with your blessing and boundaries), and you say yes—as much as your patience and wallet allow. It’s fun, empowering, and sometimes a bit messy. But totally worth it.

The Boredom Buster List
Write 20–30 simple activities on a list and add it to the fridge for easy viewing. That way, anytime you hear “I’m boooored,” point to the list. Ideas include: building a fort, playing with pets, dance party, extra chores (for extra $), reading, playing a board game, or drawing a picture.

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Quiet Time = Survival Mode
Build in daily downtime. Think of this as filling up your reserves—it’s a recharge moment for everyone. Books, screens, puzzles, naps... whatever calms the chaos. Put it on the calendar. Defend it like it’s sacred.

Mom Time: Non-Negotiable
Don’t forget you. Whether it’s a morning walk, a book in the backyard, or locking yourself in your room with a craft—it matters. You can’t pour from an empty pitcher. Fill yours up first. Then you can pour from your pitcher into each family members cups. If your pitcher is empty, you can’t refill any of the cups.

Enjoying “me time” at a pool in Austin

The Takeaway

You don’t need a perfect summer. You just need a rhythm that works for your family. One that includes adventure and stillness, fun and rest, snacks and sanity. In some cases, snacks equate to sanity.

So, plan bit, adjust as needed, and give yourself grace for the messy middle. Because at the end of the day, the best memories are made when you’re all laughing—and sometimes crying. Either way, make the most of your memories this summer!

Until next time, enjoy the journey!

Copyright Me Time 4 Mom, LLC