Summer is coming in hot, friend! And if you’re already feeling overwhelmed just thinking about summer planning—juggling the kids being home, vacations, camps, keeping everyone off screens, and managing your work or business—you are in the right place.

Listen Below For The Entire Episode On The Systemize Your Life Podcast

Today, I’m handing over a super simple summer planning system that I whipped up on the fly—and yes, it’s that easy. I was sitting at gymnastics with my son, grabbed some scratch paper from the front desk, and just mapped it all out right there. And guess what? It worked so well that I knew I had to bring it to the podcast—and now, to you.

So if you’re tired of just surviving summer and you’re ready to start enjoying it, this plan is going to give you the clarity and confidence you need to create a peaceful and productive summer schedule for kids at home in just 30 minutes or less.

Let’s go!

Planning Summer for Kids at Home? Here’s Why a Schedule Is a Must

Before we jump into the step-by-step, let’s talk about the why. Every summer looks a little different—maybe your kids are in public school, maybe you’re homeschooling, maybe you’re in that in-between stage with littles at home. Wherever you are, the reality is the same: when structure goes out the window, so does your sanity.

I’ve been running my business through every kind of season—pandemics, public school, homeschool, private school, online school—you name it. Summer used to sneak up on me every single year, and even though I knew it was coming, I’d get overwhelmed with all the “I should’ve planned this” moments.

Now? I do this five-step process at the beginning of every summer, and it has saved my time, my energy, and my peace of mind.

Let me walk you through exactly what I do so you can make this your easiest (and most intentional) summer schedule for kids at home yet.

Summer Planning Step 1: Write Down Every Week of Summer

Before you can organize anything, you’ve got to get a bird’s-eye view of the season ahead. So the very first thing I want you to do is take out a blank piece of paper (yes, good old-fashioned paper) and write down every single week your kids are out of school.

Just label them one by one:

• Week 1 – [Start Date]
• Week 2 – [Start Date]
• …and keep going until you’ve got all the weeks accounted for

For our family, that’s eight weeks. So I write down Week 1 through Week 8 with the Monday date beside each one. No need for full date ranges or anything fancy—just something super simple and quick that lets you see the big picture.

When you do this, it’s like Whoa—this giant, messy mental cloud that’s been hanging over your head suddenly clears. You’re no longer wondering how it’s all going to shake out, because you’ve got the bones of your summer right there in front of you.

Now you’re ready to start filling in the details, and that clarity? It is a total game-changer!

Step 2: Plug in Your Travel and Big Events

Okay, now that you’ve got your summer weeks listed out and you can actually see what you’re working with, it’s time to fill in the plans you already know about. These are your non-negotiables—the big events that are already on your calendar and will absolutely take up your time and energy.

Think vacations, weekend getaways, out-of-town weddings, sports camps, gymnastics meets, VBS, or that week your in-laws are coming to stay. Go ahead and write those down on the weeks they fall in.

If something only takes up part of the week—say your kiddo’s camp runs Wednesday through Friday—that still counts as a “busy week.” Don’t get caught in the trap of thinking you can squeeze in extra stuff.

Trust me, those prep and recovery days are real, especially if you’re packing, traveling, or playing catch-up on laundry and groceries after everyone gets home.

Once I plug in our travel and events, I either cross through those weeks or highlight them in a different color. That way, I know at a glance which weeks are already spoken for.

This is when it starts to come together. You’ll begin to see which weeks are packed and which ones are still wide open. That little bit of clarity? It’s going to help you make smarter decisions and give yourself so much more peace about what’s actually realistic this summer.

Summer Planning Step 3: Identify the Gaps and Your Summer Bucket List

Alright, friend—this is the fun part. You’ve crossed out your busy weeks, and now you’re staring at those wide-open weeks where there’s nothing on the calendar. These are your golden opportunities. These weeks are the blank canvas where you get to paint what you want your summer to feel like.

So let’s do a little dreaming. Ask yourself:

• What are the things I really want to do this summer?
• Are there projects I’ve been pushing to the back burner?
• What would fill our family up and make this season feel joyful and memorable?

You’re not looking to cram in a thousand Pinterest-perfect activities. You’re simply getting honest about what would make this summer feel good for you and your family.

This could look like:

• Taking a day trip to the mountains or the beach
• Booking a cheap midweek staycation at a local resort
• Visiting the children’s museum, library events, or splash pads
• Decluttering the garage (finally!)
• Tackling that one home project that keeps nagging you
• Scheduling in quiet catch-up time for your business

I like to call this your summer bucket list, and once you’ve got a few solid ideas, start assigning them to your open weeks. Write them right into the plan you made in Step 1.

Some weeks might be slow and restful. Others might be more productive. And yes, some might just be for spontaneous fun. The key is giving each open week a general focus so you’re not scrambling for something to do, or worse, defaulting to all-day screens and chaos.

Balance is everything. You don’t have to do it all. Just choose what matters most and give yourself (and your family) permission to enjoy the process.

Step 4: Define Your “Busy” vs “Home” Weeks

This is the point where your paper (or screen!) starts working for you. Now that you’ve listed your plans and dreams for the summer, it’s time to mark which weeks are off the table and which ones are up for grabs.

Grab your highlighters, stickers, stars—whatever makes you happy—and label each week as either a busy week (you’ve got travel, events, or visitors) or a home week (you’ll mostly be home with no major plans).

It’s super important to know which weeks are booked solid and which ones have breathing room. This simple step gives you clarity so you can plan with realistic expectations and avoid feeling like you’re cramming too much in.

Here’s the deal: even if you’ve only got a three-day camp midweek, that whole week is still “busy.” You’ll be prepping ahead of time and likely recovering afterward. The front and back end of those weeks get eaten up quickly, so don’t try to jam-pack them with other things.

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about intention. Giving each week a clear label helps you stay grounded in what’s actually possible, so you’re not caught off guard and overwhelmed when summer gets rolling.

Summer Planning Step 5: Build a Weekly Plan for the Weeks You’re Home

Okay, here’s the part where the magic really happens. For every week you’ll be home, follow this simple three-part structure to build your summer schedule for kids at home.

1. Create a Weekly Rhythm

Here’s a sample rhythm we use in our home that might work for you, too.

• Mondays are all about housework and resetting from the weekend. 
• Tuesdays and Thursdays are designated work block days—those are the times I carve out for focused business hours. 
• Wednesdays are our pool days, where we soak up some sun and let the kids burn off energy. 
• And Fridays are our flexible fun days, where we leave room for spontaneous adventures, playdates, or whatever feels fun in the moment.

Think about when you’ll work (if you do), when the kids can be independent, and when you want to create fun or connection. Build your week around those pillars.

2. Set Clear Daily Expectations

This one is so important, Mama. Before summer even begins, take a few minutes to decide what daily routines are staying, which ones you’re letting go of, and what might need a little tweaking.

For example, will your kids still be making their beds each day? Are daily chores still expected, or maybe just a few times a week? What about screen time—are there new rules now that everyone’s home more? And are they still getting dressed by a certain time, or are we embracing the pajama life a little more this season?

You’ve got to get clear on these expectations before you’re in the thick of it. Write them down, talk about them as a family, and keep it simple. You don’t need to run a summer boot camp, but a bit of structure will keep your days feeling grounded.

Even small things like sticking to a morning routine or having a short daily reset can completely change the atmosphere of your home. It doesn’t have to be perfect—just intentional.

3. Add a Weekly Theme

This is where the fun starts, and I promise—it doesn’t mean more work for you. Adding a theme to each of your “at-home” weeks brings structure and purpose for your kids while giving you space to breathe. You’re creating an environment where their creativity can shine and your sanity stays intact.

Here are some examples: Craft Week, this is one of our favorites! My kids start collecting recyclables weeks ahead of time, and I’ll grab a few craft kits from Target or Amazon just to mix it up.

Cooking Week, the kids pick simple recipes, help make menus, and we cook together—so many sweet memories made in the kitchen.

Reading Marathon Week, which usually turns into fort-building contests, library trips, and book swaps with friends.

Water Week is always a hit with sprinklers, splash pads, and water balloons, especially if you’re somewhere hot like we are.

We’ll do Adventure Week if we can manage to escape to the mountains, which includes nature scavenger hunts and hiking.

And one of my absolute favorites—Kindness Week—is when the kids bake treats, write letters, or find creative ways to love on our neighbors.

The best part? You’re not scheduling every moment. You’re simply giving the week a direction and letting that theme be a spark. You’ll be amazed at how naturally your kids lean into it when there’s a little bit of leadership and excitement baked in.

This is the secret sauce in planning summer that actually works—you create rhythms that give your family purpose and peace without over-scheduling.

Pro Tip: Put It All in Your Calendar

Once you’ve mapped everything out, don’t just leave it on scratch paper.

Put the trips, camps, home weeks, and themes into your digital calendar. Color-code if you want. This step in planning summer gives you a clear picture of what’s happening week by week—and it makes decision-making a million times easier when new things come up.

When you know what’s coming, you can say “yes” or “no” with confidence.

“Summer doesn’t have to feel like survival mode. You can create rhythms that bring peace, fun, and connection.”

Final Thoughts: Make Your Kids’ Summer Schedule Simple and Fun

Friend, you can enjoy summer. You can love being with your kids, get work done, and still have space to breathe. You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect schedule—you just need a clear plan and some realistic rhythms.

This five-step summer planning system takes 30 minutes or less, and it gives your whole family the structure they need to thrive without killing the fun.

And now that you have a clear plan for a summer schedule that works for both you and the kids, it’s time to make it happen! A well-organized summer not only keeps everyone on track but also frees up space for fun and relaxation.

If you’re looking for more ways to streamline your daily routines and stay ahead in life, head over to chelsijo.co for tons of practical resources to help you systemize your home, life, and business.

If you want help implementing systems like this in every part of your home and business, I would love to support you inside Systemize To Scale. My 12-month group coaching program is open now, and it’s the best way to get the support and tools you need to create the life you’ve been dreaming of.

And if you’re craving connection with other like-minded moms who are walking this journey too, come join us in the FREE Systemize Your Life Facebook group! It’s a safe space to ask questions, get support, and share wins with a community of women who truly get it. You don’t have to do this alone—community makes all the difference! Let’s make this your best summer yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my kids are all different ages—how do I plan a theme week that works for everyone?

Choose broad themes like Water Week, Cooking Week, or Kindness Week. Older kids can help lead, and younger ones will follow along. It’s okay if each child engages differently!

I work from home—how do I balance that with the kids being off school?

Structure your week with work block days and fun days. Clearly communicate expectations, arrange care or quiet activities during work time, and stick to it. Boundaries are everything.

How do I handle screen time without fights?

Set clear rules from the beginning. Maybe screen time is only after chores are done, or only on specific days. Consistency and communication are key!