As most moms know, mornings usually set the tone for the entire day, which is why establishing a seamless but realistic morning routine for kids is so important.

With the start of a new school year, there is no better time to work on those routines. These tips and tricks will help you to develop a realistic morning routine for kids to help you start the day off stress-free.

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If you’re reading this post, chances are mornings at your house are chaotic. I know ours used to be (and honestly sometimes still are because….kids!)

You may be struggling to get yourself (plus everyone else) ready and out the door on time.

You may constantly feel like things aren’t going smoothly; one kid doesn’t know where her left shoe is, and another one is upset that he can’t watch TV.

You’re dealing with that while also trying to fill out the field trip form that is due today. To top it off the baby is crying. Sound familiar?

Now picture this; everyone working together in the morning to do their part to make the day start smoothly. Your kids take ownership of small tasks they are capable of helping with. Concrete systems and routines are in place to ease any stress or confusion. Everything is ready to go and easy to find.

By some miracle, you’re even walking out of the door with time to spare.

It might sound like an unattainable dream, but with these tips and tricks for creating realistic morning routines for kids, your days can (and should) start on the right foot.

Everyone’s morning will look different depending on their circumstances and season of life. However, there are still ways to make your morning run smoothly. Take what you will and leave what you want. Create something that works best for you and your family.

Grab your FREE morning routine template in my printables library by signing up for my email list HERE.

Why Are Morning Routines Important?

Okay so before you decide that morning routines aren’t for kids or that yours don’t need them, hear me out. Just like adults, kids also benefit and thrive from structure and routines. Here are some benefits:

• Teach kids independence
• Foster responsibility
• Give children a sense of security
• Kids know what to expect, which reduces anxiety or worry
• Create a good family dynamic
• Ways to channel mischievous behavior in a productive manner
• Build skills to help them be productive members of society
• Helps your days run smoother and reduces overall stress

Tips for Implementing a Morning Routine for Kids?

Creating a morning routine for kids can feel intimidating when you have never had real structure before. Just remember everyone starts from zero when first creating new routines.

Here are a few tips to create realistic routines that will work and last.

1. Start Small

When it comes to creating new routines the most important thing is to start small and build on them. Adults can’t go from zero to sixty when starting new habits, so it is unrealistic to expect your kids to do so.

When creating morning routines for kids, start with ONE habit in the routine. Work on it every day until they master it. Then add another component to the routine.

For example, you may have the first step in their routine be something as simple as putting their pajamas in the dirty clothes hamper. Give them that ONE responsibility to do independently and help them with everything else.

After a few days (when you no longer have to remind them to do that specific habit), add another piece of the morning routine. Eventually, your kids will be mastering their entire morning routine independently.

If you’re looking for a way to help your kids establish and stick to routines, look no further than the Realistic Routines for Kids Packet!

2. Include Your Kids When Creating Routines

Just as a teacher does with her students when creating class rules, you should do your best to include your kids when creating a morning routine. When kids have buy-in or say so as to what they are doing, they are more likely to stick to it. They will also be more willing to participate without putting up a fight.

Sit down as a family and brainstorm ideas for how mornings can run smoother. Have your kids think of ways they can foster independence. Play it up! Make them think it is the best thing that they will be “big boys and girls” doing things to help you!

Create a list or a chart together and then slowly start implementing the routine step-by-step.

3. Get a Good Night’s Sleep

A good morning starts with a good night’s rest. According to the AAP, kids need between 8-12 hours of sleep depending on their age.

I know this is easier said than done. All 3 of our young kids have different sleep patterns. However, we make sure to follow a consistent routine that ensures they are getting the proper sleep.

Some of my favorite resources when it comes to establishing good sleep habits are Moms on Call and BabyWise. Also, a product we can’t live without is this sleep machine that is in each of the kids’ rooms.

4. Prepare the Night Before

One of the easiest ways to make mornings a little less chaotic is to prepare as much as you can in advance.

Ask yourself the simple question, “What can I do tonight to make tomorrow a little easier?” and do it! Trust me, your future self will thank you.

Here are a few simple things you can do at night to make your morning a little easier:

• Layout clothes- If your kids wear a uniform this process is a little easier. If not, take 5 minutes to choose an outfit and put it in a designated spot. Let your child help you pick what they will wear if they are old enough.

***Tip- to save even more time use one of these hanging baskets and pick out clothes for the entire week on Sunday night.

• Prep Lunches- Get as much prepped for lunches as possible the night before. Make sandwiches, wash and cut fruit, and pack drinks and napkins.

**Tip- keep a bin in your fridge with prepared lunches so when the morning comes you can just grab it and go.

• Pack Bags and Extracurricular Activity Supplies- Before your kids go to sleep they should have their backpacks packed along with any items they may need for after-school activities. If there are forms to be filled out or papers that need to be signed, make sure you do that so they can put them in their bags.

***Tip- have a designated area (a cubby, hook, or spot near the door) where everyone’s items stay. This will make it easier to grab and go when walking out the door.

5. Wake Up Before Your Kids

While this tip is focused more on you than your kids, waking up early will go a long way to making your morning run more smoothly. Trust me, I know this is easier said than done, especially if you have a toddler like mine who wakes up before the sun.

If you are a mom who enjoys getting up hours before your kids to get a workout and shower in, more power to you! For those of us who enjoy sleeping a little longer (I’m pretty much talking about myself here), the goal is simply to get up an extra 15-20 minutes before my kids.

Take the time to enjoy a few sips of coffee in peace or read a chapter from a motivational book. Get yourself dressed and ready for the day. Mentally prepare yourself for the craziness that is about to ensue when your kids wake up. Preparing yourself ahead of time will allow you to focus 100% on your kids once they are awake.

6. Make Waking Up Fun

How you feel when you wake up sets the tone for your entire day. There is nothing worse than waking up on the wrong side of the bed.

No matter how tired I am in the morning, I try to always think about the fact that the first moments when my kids wake up are some of the most important in their entire day. This helps me to put a smile on my face and fake it even if I’m not feeling it.

There are many ways you can help your kids wake up in a better mood: Morning snuggles, music (hello Alexa), and dance parties are all fun ways to get your kids smiling and moving.

7. Use Timers

Timers are my secret weapon when it comes to productivity.

I personally use timers all the time when cleaning my house or completing a task. It helps to keep me on track and focused on the task at hand.

My kids are no different. They love it when I use their Stoplight Golight timer for things like picking up toys, getting dressed, or brushing their teeth. It is like a fun game…a race to beat the clock!

8. Make the Routines Visible

Keeping a morning routine checklist for kids visible is a great way to keep your kids on track each day, especially in the beginning.

My kids love to use a Velcro routine chart to make sure they are completing all of their morning tasks. It’s like a game to see who can finish them first.

If you’re looking for a way to help your kids establish and stick to routines, look no further than the Realistic Routines for Kids Packet!

9. Create a Morning Basket

I like to keep everything we might need for the morning in one spot to cut down on the time it takes for the kids to get ready. We keep a basket in a kitchen drawer with some of the most commonly reached-for items (plus a few extra things.)

Some of the items that stay in the basket include a hairbrush, hair ties, toothpaste, toothbrushes, sunscreen, lotion, and bandaids. Right now my kids are little and require my help when fixing their hair and brushing their teeth, so it’s easy to have quick access to everything in the kitchen.

For older kids, you might want to keep the basket in a bathroom. The key is to have everything in one place to make the process go faster.

Create your own with my FREE evening routine template in my printables library by signing up for my email list HERE.

10. Reduce Distractions

If you want your kids focused on their morning routine and getting things done, it’s important to try and limit distractions as much as possible. That means things like the TV, iPads, toys, and games.

I’d like to say we are a no-TV household in the morning, but that would be a lie. However, we do have limits on when the TV can be turned on and when we shut it off.

11. Provide a Healthy Breakfast

You know the saying, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Ensure your kids are fired up for a great day by fixing them a protein-packed breakfast.

If you are short on time in the morning, consider packing breakfast the night before so your kids can eat on the way to school.

12. Allow for Extra Time

It doesn’t matter how perfect your morning routine for kids is, something is bound to happen from time to time that throws everyone off schedule. Make sure you leave time in your morning routine for unforeseen circumstances.

Someone is bound to spill syrup on their shirt, trip, and fall, need some TLC, or lose a sock no matter how prepared you think you are.

Having extra time built in for these moments will ensure you are still ready and out the door on time.

On the flip side, if everyone is ready early, use the extra time for a reward like reading a book, 15 minutes of TV time, or a quick game.

13. Review the Schedule for the Day

At some point during your morning routine, maybe when the kids are eating breakfast, take a minute to review the plan for the day. Kids will have less worry or anxiety if they know exactly what is happening, and it will help prevent the numerous questions from inquisitive toddlers.

I like to go over what the plans are for after school. I let them know if someone different is picking them up, if we have extracurricular activities planned and what we are having for dinner too.

We keep a family calendar on the pantry door that I can easily refer to and I also rely on my Erin Condren Life Planner for everything!

My kids love to be in the know about everything, so I find going over the schedule for the day keeps them in the loop.

14. Keep an Emergency Box in the Car

Even with the best morning routine, things are bound to go off track from time to time. I like to keep an emergency box in the car for things that may

• Mini hairbrush and hair ties
• Deoderant and perfume
• First Aid Supplies
• Floss Picks and mints/gum
• Breakfast Bars/Snacks
• Hand Sanitizer and wipes
• Extra socks, undies, and diapers

15. End the morning with Positive Affirmations

No matter how your morning goes, get in the habit of ending it with positive affirmations. Before your kids head off to school or before they move on to the next phase of the day, take 2 minutes to get in the right frame of mind.

You can have them

How Can I Reward or Hold My Kids Accountable?

Positive reinforcement is one of the best ways to ensure your kids will continue to work hard at the routines you put in place. Here are a few ways you can hold your kids accountable

• Praise or positive reinforcement
• Affection- hugs and kisses, high-fives, and pats on the back
• Reward System- create a sticker chart or checklist
• Work it into their allowance if they have one
• Give them the power to make decisions- let them pick what’s for dinner, what movie they will watch, or what fun activity they will do on the weekend

Now it’s time to use these tips to create an easy morning routine for your kids. Remember to tailor it to your family’s needs and season of life. With a great system in place, your days no longer have to start out stressful and mornings can actually be a time everyone looks forward to!

Looking for even more ideas on how to implement schedules that work? Check out these posts from a few of my blogger friends:

Stephanie- 5 Tips to Get Back on Schedule

Alex- Simple Starter Preschool Schedule

Roslin- Blog Schedule that Publishes Blogs More Frequently

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This post was all about creating a morning routine for kids.