The Best After School Routine Ideas For Kids

This post is all about good after school routine ideas for kids in elementary.

Routines make life as a mom easier and have many benefits for kids including helping them feel safe and in control of their environment, teaching independence, and helping them become more confident.

As a mom of two, I have found following a routine extremely helpful. Routines make things feel less stressful and more structured. I have found the days go smoother when everyone knows what to do and I don’t have to constantly remind my kids what tasks they need to do.

A good after school routine should include productivity with time to relax and recharge. In this post, I am sharing a list of good after school routine ideas to create a stress-free after school schedule for kids.

This post is all about after school routine ideas.

After School Routine Ideas For Kids:

1. Put away shoes and empty out backpack

As soon as kids get home, it is a good idea to have them put their belongings in the right spot to prevent mess and clutter. I have a designated area for shoes and backpacks, so my kids know exactly where to put them. You will save yourself a headache in the long run when you and your kids are not tripping over backpacks in the doorway.

Another important task they should do when they get home is empty out their backpacks. Have them throw away any trash or old food, put their lunch boxes and water bottles in the sink, and put any homework or important papers on the table. Trust me, you don’t want to find a week-old sandwich or a smushed banana in your child’s backpack (yuck).

2. Wash hands and eat a snack

Next, have kids wash their hands and eat a snack if they are hungry. My kids are always hungry after school, so I keep a drawer filled with snacks they can easily access and lots of fruit they can grab and eat.

Easy after school snacks for kids:

• Trail mix
• Mixed fruit bowl
• Popcorn
• Granola bars
• Yogurt
• Vegetables with ranch dip
• Crackers and cheese
• Pretzels and hummus
• Tortilla chips and guacamole
• Apples and peanut butter

3. Free time

Give kids time to relax and recharge after a long day at school. After my kids eat a snack and clean up their mess at the table, I give them about an hour or so of free time. They usually spend it playing with toys, video games, or watching a show.

4. Homework

I like to have my kids start their homework at the table while I cook dinner. This makes it easy for me to help them if they need it, and cook dinner, so multitasking for the win!

5. Eat Dinner

Have dinner together, and give kids time to talk about their day at school. I like to use dinner time to connect with my kids and catch up on their school day. If they don’t have much to discuss, we will play a game of Would You Rather while we eat to make fun conversation.

6. Do chores

After dinner, it is a good time to get started on chores. My kids each have one daily chore plus the responsibility of picking up after themselves. I like to have chores done in the evening so the house is tidy and ready for the next day.

7. Shower and start bedtime routine

The last part of a good after school routine is to have kids shower to wash the day off and get ready for bed.

After School Routine Tips:

Include a mix of fun and productivity in routines

Routines should be a mix of productivity and fun so the routine feels enjoyable. Routines are supposed to make life easier and shouldn’t feel dreadful.

Write the routine down so it is easy to follow and remember

Write down your routine or make it into a checklist so it is easy to follow. This will help you and your family remember the routine and remove the guesswork. It is also helpful to keep the checklist in a place that is easy to view (like on the refrigerator).

Customize your routine to fit your needs

Not every day is the same, make routines for different days and customize them so they work for your family. For example, your child may have extracurricular activities one day a week after school so your routine on that day may look a little different. Create different routines for different days. This will help you and your family stay on top of tasks no matter what you have going on.

My kids after school routine:

My kids are in elementary school, and this is what our daily after school routine looks like.

[RELATED POST: BEST NIGHT ROUTINE FOR KIDS IN SCHOOL]

I hope you found some helpful ideas to create an after school routine that works for your family!

This post was all about the best after school routine ideas for kids in elementary.

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