Free Printable Morning Routine Chart for Kids
· 5 min read
Here's a free printable morning routine chart you can use today — no signup, no watermark. Print it as-is on letter-size paper, or use it as a starting point and make your own version with your child's exact steps. The picture icons let pre-readers follow along on their own, and the daily checkboxes turn the morning scramble into a game.
My Morning Routine
Name: _______________
| Step | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wake up & stretch | |||||||
| Use the bathroom | |||||||
| Brush teeth | |||||||
| Get dressed | |||||||
| Eat breakfast | |||||||
| Comb hair & wash face | |||||||
| Pack backpack | |||||||
| Shoes on, ready to go | |||||||
All done? Today's reward: | |||||||
Print or save as PDF with your browser (Ctrl/⌘ + P). Only the chart above prints.
Print it as-is, or make it your own
The chart above is ready to print. If you'd rather swap in different steps, add your child's name, or change how many rows there are, our free chore chart generator builds the same kind of weekly checkbox chart in your browser — just type in your own morning steps instead of chores. For older kids who do better with actual times, the daily schedule maker turns the morning into a time-blocked plan (7:00 wake up, 7:15 breakfast, 7:40 shoes on) they can follow minute by minute.
How to laminate and reuse the chart
Printing a fresh chart every morning gets old fast. The trick is to laminate it once and let your child check off each step with a dry-erase marker, then wipe it clean at bedtime for the next day. A laminated chart also survives spilled cereal and sticky hands — which, on a school morning, it will meet.
If you don't have a laminator yet, our guide to the best laminators for teachers and classroom use covers which machines and pouches actually hold up — the same setup works perfectly at home for routine charts, flash cards, and other reusable printables. No laminator on hand? Slide the printed chart into a clear sheet protector or a cheap document frame; it's not quite as durable, but it makes the chart dry-erase friendly in seconds.
Age-appropriate routine tips
A morning chart only works if it matches the kid. A three-year-old needs pictures and a grown-up alongside them; an eight-year-old needs ownership and a little independence. Here's how to pitch the routine at each stage.
Ages 2–4 (Toddlers & Preschool)
Little ones can't read yet, so lean on the pictures. Keep the routine to three or four steps and do each one alongside them. The goal is recognizing the order — wake up, potty, get dressed — not doing it solo.
- Point to the picture, then do the step together.
- Praise the attempt, not the result — a shirt on backwards still counts.
- Keep it to 3–4 steps so it never feels overwhelming.
Ages 5–7 (Kindergarten–2nd Grade)
This is the sweet spot for a morning chart. Kids can read a short list, check off boxes on their own, and take pride in beating the clock. Use the chart as the reminder so you're not repeating yourself before school.
- Let them check the box themselves — the check-off is the reward.
- Post it at kid height, by the bathroom or the front door.
- Add a simple time goal ("ready by 7:45") once the steps are habit.
Ages 8+ (Older Kids)
Older kids can run a longer routine without supervision and handle a few extra responsibilities — making their bed, packing their own lunch, or checking a homework folder. Hand over ownership and let the chart hold them accountable, not you.
- Let them help write the steps so the routine feels like theirs.
- Fold in weekly extras like laundry or tidying their room.
- Swap the daily checkboxes for a time-blocked plan on busy mornings.
Tips for making the routine stick
- Same order every day. The power of a routine is predictability — keep the steps in the same sequence so it becomes automatic.
- Let the chart be the boss.Instead of nagging, ask "what's next on your chart?" It puts the responsibility on the paper, not on you.
- Prep the night before.Lay out clothes and pack the backpack in the evening so morning-you isn't hunting for a missing shoe.
- Celebrate the streak. A full week of checked boxes is worth a small reward — a favorite breakfast, extra story time, or a trip to the park.
Related printables
- Chore chart generator — build a custom weekly checkbox chart with your own steps.
- Daily schedule maker — a time-blocked plan for kids who follow the clock.
- Habit tracker — for a single habit like "get up by 7" or "read before school."
- Free printable chore charts by age group — age-appropriate chore ideas to pair with the morning routine.
FAQ
How do I use the morning routine chart with a child who can't read yet?
Lean on the picture icons next to each step. Point to the sun for 'wake up,' the toothbrush for 'brush teeth,' and so on. Walk through the chart together each morning until they can follow the order on their own — the images do the reading for them.
How many steps should a kids' morning routine have?
For toddlers and preschoolers, three or four steps is plenty. Kids ages 5–7 can usually manage six to eight, and older kids can handle a longer list plus a couple of extras. Start shorter than you think and add steps once the routine sticks.
Where should I hang the routine chart?
Put it where the routine happens and at your child's eye level — taped inside the bathroom, on the bedroom door, or by the spot where shoes and backpacks live. A chart on the fridge that a five-year-old can't see doesn't get used.
Can I reuse the chart instead of reprinting it every day?
Yes. Laminate it (or slip it into a clear sheet protector) and let your child check off the boxes with a dry-erase marker, then wipe it clean each night. See the laminating section above for a durable, reusable setup.
Want to customize it?
Build a morning routine chart with your child's own steps in under a minute — free, no signup.
Open the Chart Generator →