How to Keep Kids Productive in the Summer (Without Constant Nagging)

Summer was always my happy place as a mother. I loved throwing the school schedule out the window and having long, open days stretched out in front of us. But I also quickly learned something important: kids thrive when summer has some structure and expectations. Otherwise I found myself becoming a constant nagger—which was definitely not my dream summer scenario. Through the years we’ve found a few systems that help kids stay productive, motivated, and independent in the summertime…without so much reminding from me.

Why Kids Need Structure in the Summer

Those kids look immensely excited about the productivity, don’t you think? HA! But I’ll tell you what, there’s nothing better than the glow of your child after a summer of productivity, even when it’s taken putting in some tough work.

When they put in the work to grow and “become” in the summer, they become more self-confident and sure of themselves. Which, of course, adds to all the other aspects of their lives.

Set Summer Expectations Together

It’s so important to work together as a family to set up expectations. You may find that you and your kids may have wildly different ideas of what is going to happen this summer. Your spouse may have his own take as well. So it’s so important to get on the same page.

Have a family meeting and talk all these expectations over so you can make decisions that work for all of you. I never did this, but I think it would be so fun to have a special candlelit dinner welcoming in summer surrounding this conversation.

Help Kids Create THEIR OWN Summer Goals and Schedules

If your children are teenagers and have jobs, this is a no-brainer. They have to make their own schedules or they’ll get fired.

But I think letting younger kids have ownership of their schedules in the summer is pretty awesome too. It’s such a great training ground for life. You as the parent may need to rein in their ideas a tad!

In our family we always set a precedent that all the “have-to-dos” had to be done before the “choose-to-dos.” This is a little example of the school-year “have-to-dos” on the left, and how it switches up a little in the summertime on the right:

Summer Goals are in my opinion the BEST way to help kids take ownership of their own progression over the summer. They make goals in five different categories and get to work. We attach some sort of reward (monetary or quality time), as a “carrot” to help keep the motivation going.

Systems That Reduce Nagging

One thing I’ve learned as a mother is that having clear systems in place reduces nagging. When kids have helped make their own plan, know what’s expected, can visually track their progress, and understand the rhythm of the day, there’s so much less reminding, negotiating, and frustration for everyone involved.

On top of having kids make their own schedules and set their summer goals, these are some systems that we used during the summer that helped everyone know expectations:

• bubble charts – a great way to divvy up things that need to be done speedy quick
• job jar – the best way to take guild and nagging out of small household tasks…with a fun twist
• timers – did you know your household oven timer can work magic? It can also help kids learn to work together.
• have-to-dos before choose-to-dos – this is just such a great way for kids to learn to structure their time…once they finish what has to be done the world of freedom opens up for them
• visual schedules checklists (see above)
• “Clean 10” where before we leave the house, or any time for that matter, I yell out “Clean Ten!” The kids know exactly what to do, they scramble to pick up and put away ten things. It is really quite magical I have to say!

Teach Kids Responsibility in the Summer

Summer is a fantastic time to take time out to train kids how to take ownership of jobs and learn to work independently. Not only is it important for your sanity to have kids help keep the house in tact in the summer, but summer is the best wide-open training ground for job skills.

One of my favorite ideas ever is to “certify” your kids to do a job well. Whether it is learning to clean an oven, make a bed with the sheets just-so, or make their favorite meal, when you teach them the exact steps to make it happen well, they are “certified.”

I talk more about this in my Saturday chores post. Teaching kids to take responsibility to carry a job out from start to finish has been found to be one of the biggest indicators of adult success.

And that’s a big deal!

Knowing how to clean and do a job well is sometimes an underrated skill, but something that can work wonders for self-esteem and productivity.

I think sometimes we SO underestimate the things that kids can do to help! Isn’t this an awesome picture of my cute little nephews working their hearts out to do the reunion dinner dishes?

They are so young, but they are working diligently. I included a “chores for kids by age” section at the end of my Saturday jobs post that you might find helpful if you’re looking to help kids at different ages learn responsibility.

Some other responsibility lessons that can happen in the summer:

• learn to write a heartfelt thank you note (such a beautiful skill!)
• go to “Just Serve” and help kids learn the beauty of giving back
• learn to cook a meal from start to finish – and do it together if you can!

A note on that last one: most summers our kids have had goals to take turns cooking for the family. In my book, there is nothing like having time to devote to being in the kitchen with kids.

Encourage Kids to Earn Money

Summer can be the best breeding ground for learning to earn money. Whether it’s a real-live job or coming up with something on their own, kids are so capable!

I’ve loved to see the innovative ideas these kids have come up with through the years, from lemonade stands:

To teaching gymnastics/dance classes:

To us employing them to do things we needed done:

I loved especially those dance/gym/babysitting days where the kids made up flyers and handed them out in the neighborhoods trying to recruit clients. So good for them!

My very wise sister Saren has put together a whole “do-it-yourself summer camp” that outlines so many ways to do this that you should check out!

Put Away Technology and Add Better Things In

If we’re not careful, summer can turn into a tech-fest. It’s SO EASY to let screens rule those open hours of the summer. This is scary business and we need to work deliberately to keep technology at bay.

• The best gift you can give yourself as a mother is to put away your phone. Especially in the summer. You only have 18 summers with those precious kids at home. Make the most of it!
• It’s important to add something in when you take something out. So when we take out technology we always try to add in things. I think summer goals help add in good stuff. Reading is a huge thing to “add in” as well. Check out my favorite books for young readers if you want book ideas!

Help Kids Support Each Other

Summer is such a great time to try to help kids nurture their sibling relationships. I love these ideas to help with that nurturing:

• TUTORS & TUTEES

If you have multiple kids, assign them to be each other’s helpers. They can help each other stay on track with schedules as well as goals. In doing so, you are giving your children so many amazing gifts! You are teaching responsibility, fostering sibling relationships, teaching independence and nurturing. Of course, you’re also taking off part of your heavy burden.

Assigning Tutors and Tutees is another pretty spectacular idea from my parents. Growing up as the second oldest in a family of nine, I loved getting new sibling “tutee” assignments each month.

• REPENTING BENCH

Of course with all the family togetherness in the summer there is bound to be some fighting. Another awesome way to foster sibling relationships in the summer is to have a “repenting bench.” Such a great way for kids to take ownership of their arguments and work them out together.

• WORK TOGETHER TOWARDS GOALS

Whether it’s working to together to beat the timer while cleaning the kitchen or learning a new skill, it’s always better to do it together!

I love when my kids’ summer goals have included helping each other out, whether teaching a younger sibling to read, working together on a project, etc.

One of my favorite years of summer goals was a year that our kids decided to work together for something rather than working alone. They had stars in their eyes about “Rockband,” and they worked their tails off to make sure they were all on track. Nothing better when kids are each other’s cheerleaders.

Don’t Forget to Build in FUN

Sometimes we forget that work can be FUN.

The “job jar” mentioned above helps in the making-work-fun category:

But we also forget, in all the scheduling and expectations hullabaloo, that summer is also the best time to SLOW DOWN.

In the slowing down, and even the boredom sometimes, kids get creative.

How awesome to have some time not filled up with homework and studying to just relax a little.

And connect with those kids of yours.

All these things done well make for a more present mother.

Yes, summertime is pretty awesome.