How to Stay Organized All Summer with Kids (Without Losing Your Ish)
Real-life mom hacks—and a few laughs—to keep summer from turning into a full-blown circus.
Ah, summer with kids: more magical than Frozen 2, but also more chaotic than your AOL group chat about boy bands. From surprise splash-pad meltdowns to realizing you’ve been carrying that crusty snack container since June 1, having a plan is everything.
If you’re tired of rummaging through a bottomless pit of crumbs in your car or showing up to soccer practice without socks (been there, done that), these tips are for you.
Want the ultimate cheat sheet? 👉 Download your FREE Summer Essentials Packing Guide + Printable Checklist here!
1. Start with a Mom-Approved Summer Routine
No need for military precision—just a comfy rhythm that even your toddler can follow without staging a coup.
Try this “Momflix Schedule”:
- Morning Premiere (8–11am): Outdoor adventures—think park, splash pad, Dora the Explorer reenactments.
- Afternoon Rewind (12–3pm): Chill time—quiet crafts, 20-minute nap attempts, negotiating juice box sizes.
- Evening Encore (4–7pm): Backyard shenanigans, family dance-party to Backstreet Boys (I was more of an N*Sync fam myself!), and dinner (fingers crossed they eat something green).
Pro Tip: Keep a whiteboard that’s 100% not meant for your grocery list—write playdates, camps, and that dentist appointment you keep forgetting.
2. Build Your “Mom Mobile” Car Kit
Your car should double as a rolling survival bunker. Stock it like you’re preparing for a “Stranger Things” season—but, you know, less Demogorgons.
- Spare undies & diapers (because potty training = uncharted territory)
- Extra outfit for each kid (and maybe a clean shirt for you—mom fashion is real)
- No-melt snacks: granola bars, apple chips, or emergency chocolate (for mom’s blood sugar aka sanity)
- Wipes + hand sanitizer—your future self will thank you when someone picks up a wet frog
- Sunscreen + bug spray (because mosquito bites are never cute)
- Towel + wet bag—bye-bye soggy seat syndrome
- Backup water bottles (hydrate or die-drate, amirite?)
Sunday Funday Tip: Spend five minutes “restocking” every Sunday. It’s like Netflix auto-play—but for supplies.
3. The Legendary “Grab-and-Go” Summer Bag
Designate one tote as your official summer sidekick. Pre-pack it so you can bolt out the door faster than your kid bolts from a vegetable.
Load it with:
- Sunscreen & matching hats
- Wipes + tissues (toddler noses are lawn-mower level sticky)
- Mini first aid kit—band-aids for both boo-boos and mom paper cuts
- Snacks (because hanger is real)
- Water (Hydration Nation)
- Small toys/crayons (to avoid “I’m bored” concerts)
- Swimsuit + quick-dry towel (optional, but recommended for pools and sprinklers)
✨ Feeling fancy?
👉 Snag the FREE Summer Mom Bag Essentials Guide here!
4. Five-Minute “Mom Reset” Ritual
End each day with a power-clean so your morning doesn’t start with a hunt for missing shoes.
- Top off snacks & water bottles
- Refill wipes & hand sanitizer
- Lay out tomorrow’s outfits (matching socks optional)
- Toss wet clothes into a bag
- Check the next day’s “Momflix Schedule”
Even if you skip one night, treat it like a missed gym day: don’t stress, just hop back on.
5. Don’t Forget the VIP—That’s You!
You’re the star of this show too. Sneak in some mom-centric treats so you don’t turn into a hangry gremlin.
- “Mom Pouch”: lip balm, Advil, deodorant wipe, backup phone charger
- Mom-only water bottle (label it—kiss it, perhaps)
- Weekly “Me Time” slot: 30-minute coffee run, bubble bath, or just scrolling TikTok in peace
Because you can’t pour from an empty cup (or an empty snack bag). 😉
All the Hacks in One Place?
Get the complete Summer Essentials Ebook—packed with checklists, hacks, and mom-approved humor.