Creating a Visual Toddler Routine

If you have toddlers, you know how chaotic life can get. Keeping any semblance of order in the house can feel impossible at times. With three toddlers of our own, there are days when it seems like just making it to bedtime is a herculean task. The chaos can be overwhelming!

We’re always on the lookout for techniques and systems to make life a little easier—and we recently discovered a simple but effective tool that might help you too.

The Problem: A Broken Routine

Not long ago, our whole family endured several weeks of back-to-back illnesses. During that time, our carefully crafted routine went out the window. The kids got used to a disrupted schedule with lots of unscheduled snacks and extra screen time as we scrambled to rest and recover.

Once everyone was back on their feet, we knew we needed to re-establish some structure. But as any parent knows, resetting routines with toddlers isn’t always easy!

That’s when my sister, who teaches young children, suggested a game-changing idea: a large, colorful routine poster. She uses one in her classroom and swears by it for helping little ones understand their daily schedule and responsibilities—concepts that can otherwise feel pretty abstract.

The Solution: A Visual Routine Poster

Inspired by her advice, we designed a routine poster for our family. We made it big and colorful, laminated it at FedEx, and stuck it to the fridge where everyone could see it.

The results were almost immediate. When it’s time to start a new part of the routine, we gather the kids, show them where we are on the poster, and let them move a magnet to the corresponding spot. This visual, hands-on approach has made all the difference!

To our surprise (and relief), the kids have been enthusiastic participants. Over the past few days, they’ve been more cooperative and helpful, especially with cleaning up after meals and tidying up before bed.

The Benefits

This simple tool has done more than just restore order to our household—it’s also given us the chance to work with our kids instead of just cleaning up after them. It’s reduced our stress and workload while teaching them valuable lessons about responsibility and teamwork.

Try It Yourself!

If you’re struggling to maintain a routine with your toddlers, give this idea a try! Create a colorful poster that outlines your family’s daily schedule. Use magnets, stickers, or another interactive element to make it engaging for your little ones.

We’d love to hear how it works for you—let us know in the comments!