Getting kids ready in the morning can feel stressful, but having a morning routine for kids can make a huge difference. A morning routine also helps us stick to our before-school rule.
10 Morning Routine Tips for Kids to Make Your Mornings Stress-Free
If you feel like you are always running late or always in a rush, I totally get it. The problem is that when we feel rushed or stressed, it usually ends in someone losing their temper or acting out. (Even the parent!) This can be prevented by doing one thing: PREPARING AHEAD OF TIME. The morning rush can turn even the calmest household into a whirlwind of stress, leaving everyone feeling frazzled. The last thing I want is to send my kids off to school with that kind of energy. Prepping for the morning the night before gives us a HUGE head start for the day! That way, you can stick to a morning routine with ease.
The result? Everyone will start the day (and leave the house) in a better mood!
10 Practical Morning Routine Tips for Kids
You can transform your mornings into a smooth and happy experience for the whole family. Here are some practical back-to-school morning routine tips that have worked wonders for us!
1. Prep Breakfast the Night Before
Getting breakfast ready the night before is a game-changer. Whether it’s cereal, oatmeal, a smoothie, or their favorite pancakes, having everything laid out saves precious time. I often make pancakes the night before, store them in an airtight container, and pop them on a plate in the morning. Any make-ahead breakfast foods are great, too. I love to make these peanut butter protein-muffins over the weekend & use them for breakfast or as an after-school snack. . I even set out the silverware and cups the night before. Anything to cut down on your time in the morning is a win-win.(P.S. – These pancakes are a hit in our house!)
2. Pick Clothes Out Ahead of Time
The night before, make sure all their clothes are ready to go—everything from their underwear to their shoes. If your kids can dress themselves (typically starting around age three), encourage them to get dressed before they come downstairs. It’s one less thing to worry about in the morning and a key part of a successful school morning routine.
3. Have a Morning Essentials Basket
We keep a small wicker basket in the bathroom with all the morning essentials: toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, a brush, hair products, floss, etc. Everything is in one place, so there’s no frantic searching. After breakfast, the kids head to the bathroom, grab their baskets, and finish getting ready. This simple step is a huge help in maintaining a smooth morning routine for school.
4. Pack Backpacks and Lunches the Night Before
This one’s a no-brainer, but it makes a huge difference. We hang the kids’ backpacks on their designated hooks on our organizing bench, and their lunches go straight into the fridge, ready to be grabbed in the morning. We even pack lunches for the entire week in one go—one less thing to think about daily. Having everything prepared ahead of time is so important for a stress-free school morning routine.
5. Minimize Morning Chores
Keep morning chores simple. Our kids only need to put away their pajamas, make their beds (we love zip-up bedding for this!), and clean up after themselves (like putting the toothbrush basket back and tidying up their breakfast dishes). After school, they can tackle the rest of their age-appropriate chores. For now, keeping chores to a minimum in the morning keeps the morning routine quick and keeps us focused on getting out the door.
6. Use this FREE Routine Chart
Use a Routine Chart for younger children! This Before School Morning Routine Chart with Cards is easy to use, and you can include or exclude anything that works for your child’s morning routine.
7. Limit Screen Time in the Morning (except when…)
This might be different in your house, but for us, TV in the morning is a no-go. It just slows everything down. However, as a little incentive, we sometimes let the kids watch TV if they’re completely ready—shoes on, teeth brushed, and backpacks by the door. It’s a great way to motivate them and maintain a quick morning routine for kids!
8. Wake Up Before the Kids
This one’s tough but so worth it. Waking up just ten minutes before the kids gives me a chance to get myself ready, take care of the pets (maybe even enjoy a quiet cup of coffee), and feel prepared, with a smile on my face, when they wake up. It sets a positive tone for the entire day. By being ready myself (before they wake up), I can focus all my energy and attention on getting our kids ready to go, which is a critical part of a smooth school morning routine.
9. Create a Fun Morning Playlist
Music can work wonders in getting everyone moving. Create a fun morning routine playlist that energizes the whole family. Choose songs that are upbeat and that your kids love. Music can turn getting dressed and grabbing their things into a mini dance party, making the morning routine feel more like fun than a stressful race to get ready.
10. Make It a Team Effort
Turn the morning routine into a team effort by getting the kids involved in planning. Let them choose their breakfast the night before or pick out their clothes. When they feel part of the process, they’re more likely to stay on track and feel proud of their contributions. This helps reinforce a positive morning routine for kids.
The routine cards are perfect for this – let them organize them! Use velcro or magnets to turn these into a fun paper chart or refrigerator chart.
BONUS: Use The “Two-Minute Get-Ready” Challenge
A favorite idea from my readers is the “Two-Minute Get-Ready” challenge. Set a timer for two minutes and challenge your kids to see how much of their morning routine they can complete before the timer goes off.
Whether it’s putting on shoes or grabbing their backpacks, turning it into a race makes it fun and exciting. Kids love the thrill of beating the clock, and you’ll love how much quicker they get ready! It’s a great way to add a little energy and excitement to the school morning routine while keeping everyone on track. Grab these free cards here!
With these tips, you’ll be amazed at how much smoother and happier your mornings can become. Remember, the goal is to make mornings less about rushing and more about setting a positive tone for the day. Here’s to stress-free, smile-filled mornings for you and your family! 😊