Kids routines
After school routine chart: a simple plan from the door to dinner
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In this guide (7 parts)
An after school routine chart lists what your child does between walking in the door and dinner, in the same order every day. A common order is: bag and shoes away, snack, move or play, homework, one small chore, free time. Keep it to 5 or 6 steps.
It is part of our kids routines guide.
The usual steps
| Step | Why it is there |
|---|---|
| Shoes, coat and bag in their spot | Nothing to hunt for tomorrow morning |
| Lunchbox to the kitchen | One less job at night |
| Snack | Many kids come home hungry and tired |
| Move or play outside | A break before sitting down again |
| Homework | Done before evening energy drops |
| One small chore | Keeps the chore chart moving |
| Free time | Something to look forward to |
Example: a filled-in afternoon for an 8-year-old
| Time | Step |
|---|---|
| 3:30 | Shoes, bag, lunchbox |
| 3:40 | Snack at the table |
| 4:00 | Play outside or bike |
| 4:30 | Homework (timer on, short breaks) |
| 5:15 | Feed the dog |
| 5:20 | Free time until dinner |
Times are an example. Use “first, then” order instead of clock times for kids who can’t read a clock yet.
After school routine by age
| Age | Steps | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 6 | Bag away, snack, play, one small job | 4 pictures, first-then order |
| 7 to 9 | Bag and lunchbox, snack, play, homework, chore, free time | Pictures plus words |
| 10 to 12 | Same, plus checking tomorrow’s needs and practicing an instrument | Written list with times |
| 13+ | Their own plan, with a few fixed points (homework done by, chore by) | Checklist or phone |
One chart per type of day
Most families don’t have one afternoon, they have three or four. Make a short version for each:
| Day | Version |
|---|---|
| Plain day | Full chart, as above |
| Activity day (soccer, piano) | Bag away, snack, change, go; homework after dinner |
| Home alone or with a sitter | Shorter checklist, with what to do if something goes wrong |
| Early-release day | Snack, play, chore, extra free time |
Color-code them, or clip the right one to the board each morning.
Making it work
- Put the chart by the door where they drop their bag.
- Use pictures for younger kids. See how to make a visual schedule.
- Make one version per day type if Tuesdays have soccer and Thursdays have piano.
- Let them tick or flip each step, so they see what’s left.
- Prep the night before what you can, like the snack, so the afternoon starts smoothly.
After school charts for kids with ADHD
After school, many kids with ADHD have used up a lot of focus for the day. The chart should ask for less, in smaller pieces. Home tips, not medical advice:
- Visual cues at the door. A picture strip right where the bag lands. Our kids visual routine cards are printable picture cards you can mix into a strip like this.
- Snack and movement first, before anything that needs sitting still.
- Short homework blocks with a visible timer and a break card between them.
- Immediate rewards. Free time starts as soon as the last box is ticked, not “after dinner if…”.
- One chore only, the same one all week.
More ideas: ADHD routine for kids.
Common problems
| Problem | Try this |
|---|---|
| Meltdown right after school | Move snack and quiet time first, homework later |
| Homework drags all evening | Shorter blocks with a timer and a break between |
| They ignore the chart | Fewer steps, and put it where the routine happens |
| Chores never get done | One tiny chore only, the same one all week |
| Screens take over | Screens are the free-time step, after the rest is ticked |
The afternoon sits between the morning routine chart and the bedtime routine chart. Write your plain-day version tonight and tape it by the door. Can’t agree on which free-time activity comes first? Spin the task wheel.
FAQ
What kinds of after school activities are there?
At home: snack, outdoor play, reading, homework, a small chore, free play, and helping with dinner. Outside the home: sports, music, clubs, or time at a friend's or relative's house. The chart should leave room for whatever your child does on each day.
Is it okay to leave a 10 year old home alone for 10 minutes?
It depends on your child, your local laws, and your situation. Some US states set a minimum age; many do not. Check your state's guidance and judge your own child's readiness. A clear after-school checklist can help on the days they are alone.
What should a 7 year old schedule look like?
After school, a 7-year-old's schedule can be short: bag and lunchbox away, snack, play outside, a short homework block, one small chore, then free time until dinner. Use pictures plus a word for each step, and a separate version for activity days.
How to create a daily routine chart?
Write the steps in the order they happen, keep only what your child does themselves, add a picture or a time to each, and hang it where the routine happens. For after school, that's usually by the door where the bag lands. Review it after a week.