Examples of a Daily Routine for a 2 Year Old

A daily routine for a 2 year old is a great way to manage your day. Schedule activities, naps, and bed time using these examples and ideas!

These days, your “routine” could feel anything but.

Maybe you’re working from home now, juggling laundry during naptime and playing between work meetings. Perhaps life has you barely keeping up, making you feel like you could be doing more learning activities with her. The pressure to be a better mom, while admirable, can also leave you feeling clueless about how to make the best use of your time.

Or you want to have a better structure to your day, whether you’re home with her all day or reuniting after work and school.

Examples of a daily routine for a 2 year old

I’ve long been a fan of routines and rhythms, as they’ve kept order in my day so I don’t have to think too much about what to do next. They also help with my kids’ behavior, from making sure they sleep well at night to avoiding tantrums and nagging.

And however much I try to stick to a set routine, I also know there’s room for flexibility, as it should be. Life happens, and we have to go with the flow before resetting back to the routine.

But what do you do when your routine feels off, or if you feel like you have no routine at all? Often, the trick is to look at other people’s routines for inspiration to jump-start your ideas. That’s why I gathered several examples from fellow moms to inspire your own.

Now, if your goal is to help your little one learn, keep in mind that regular activities are more than enough. Don’t feel pressured to sign her up for every enrichment class or drill her with flash cards. Reading books, piecing puzzles together, and drawing are excellent activities that help so much more.

Similarly, don’t feel the need to interact and be with her 24/7, or feel bad for giving yourself a break. Giving her autonomy and even letting her struggle with a problem are some of the best gifts you can offer.

And finally, these schedules are applicable whether you’re home with her all day or if she’s at a daycare or preschool. Feel free to fill in or adjust according to your needs. For instance, skip the late morning and early afternoons if she’ll be in preschool during that time.

Take a look at these examples of a daily routine for a 2 year old from your fellow moms:

Example 1

6am: Wake up and eat breakfast
7:30am: Take a walk in the stroller
8:30am: Playtime at home
10am: Snack
11:30am: Lunch
12pm: Nap time
3pm: Run errands or outdoor play
4:30pm: Dinner
5pm: Play at home
6:30pm: Bath and story time
7pm: Bedtime

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Example 2

6am: Wake up, eat breakfast, and independent play
9:30am: Nap
12pm: Eat lunch and play at home
3:30pm: Nap
5:30pm: Watch television while preparing dinner
6pm: Dinner
7:30pm: Bath time, pajamas and books (take a look at these children’s books about bedtime)
8:30pm: Bedtime

Example 3

6:30am: Wake up, eat breakfast, and play
8:30am: Run errands or play outside
12pm: Lunch and play at home
1:30pm: Nap
4pm: Snack, play outside or walk
6:30pm: Dinner
7:30pm: Bath time, pajamas, and books
8:15pm: Bedtime

Learn how to establish a solid 2 year old bedtime.

Example 4

6:30am: Wake up and get dressed
8am: Breakfast
8:30am: Outing
11:30am: Lunch
12:30pm: Nap
3pm: Play at home and do projects
6:30pm: Dinner
7:30pm: Bedtime

Example 5:

7am: Wake up and eat breakfast
9am: Play outside or run errands
10am: Snack
11am: Play at home
11:30am: Lunch
12pm: Nap
3:30pm: Snack
4pm: Play and do chores
6pm: Dinner
7pm: Bath time and books
8pm: Bedtime

Example 6:

7am: Wake up and have breakfast
7:30am: Play and prepare lunch
8am: Get dressed
8:30am: Play indoors
10am: Play outside or run errands
11:30am: Lunch
12pm: Nap
2pm: Play at home
3pm: Snack and watch television
4pm: Play outside
5:30pm: Dinner
7pm: Bath time
8pm: Bedtime

Check out these 2 year old development activities.

Example 7:

7am: Wake up and eat breakfast
7:30am: Play at home and do chores
9am: Outing and snack
12pm: Lunch
12:30pm: Nap
2:30pm: Snack
3pm: Hang out at home or go to the park
5pm: Dinner
6pm: Play at home and tidy up
7pm: Bath time and books
8pm: Bed

Example 8:

7am: Wake up and eat breakfast
9am: Snack
11:45am: Lunch
1:30pm: Nap
6:30pm: Dinner
7:30pm: Watch television
8pm: Read books
8:30pm: Bedtime

Check out these examples of a 2 year old sleep schedule.

Example 9:

7am: Wake up, eat breakfast, and get dressed
11am: Lunch
12pm: Nap
2pm: Snack
4:30pm: Snack
6pm: Dinner
8pm: Bath time
8:30pm: Bedtime

Example 10:

7am: Wake up and eat breakfast
9am: Snack
11am: Lunch
12pm: Nap
2pm: Snack
6:30pm: Dinner
7:30pm: Bath time and books
8:30pm: Bedtime

Example 11:

7am: Wake up and get dressed
8am: Breakfast
8:30am: Free play
9am: Play outside
9:30am: Play at home
10am: Snack and chores
12pm: Lunch
12:30pm: Play in the yard and do chores
1:30pm: Reading and worksheets
2pm: Snack and watch television
2:30pm: Free play
5pm: Dinner
6pm: Bath time
6:30pm: Free play
7:30pm: Bedtime

Example 12:

7:30am: Wake up and get dressed
8:15am: Breakfast and play
9:15am: Play at home, go to a play date, or run errands (snack during this time)
11:30am: Play outside
12pm: Lunch
1pm: Nap
3:30pm: Snack and play at home
5:30pm: Dinner
6pm: Play outside
7pm: Bath time, pajamas, and watch television
8pm: Brush teeth, read books, and bedtime

Learn 12 ways you’re already practicing Montessori parenting without even realizing it.

Example 13:

7:30am: Wake up
8am: Eat breakfast and watch television
9am: Arts and crafts
11:30pm: Lunch
12pm: Nap
2pm: Read books
2:15pm: Snack
2:30pm: Do a worksheet
3pm: Visit the playground and park
4pm: Free play
6pm: Dinner
7pm: Play
7:30pm: Watch television
8pm: Pajamas and books
8:30pm: Bedtime

Example 14:

8am: Wake up and eat breakfast
9am: Play outside or run errands
12pm: Lunch, play, and read books
2pm: Nap
6pm: Dinner and play at home
7pm: Bath time and books
8pm: Bedtime

Play ideas

Rather than listing play ideas with each example schedule, I’ve gathered them below, depending on whether you’re at home or out and about.

At-home play ideas:

Build with blocks
Draw and color
Play with trucks and cars
Use the indoor tricycle
Play with kitchen pots and pans
Read books
Piece puzzles together
Play in the backyard
Play with magnets
Sing songs
Play with play dough
Pretend play
Play with a ball
Write with chalk on the sidewalk or chalkboard
Play in a pretend kitchen
Dance
Do arts and crafts projects

Out-of-the-house play ideas:

Pull your child in a wagon
Run around in the park
Attend a music class
Listen to story time or participate in library crafts
Run errands
Visit the children’s section of a bookstore
Go to a gym or mom-and-me class
Buy groceries
Play at the playground
Join a playgroup or play date with other kids
Visit a museum
Go to the zoo
Visit a farm
Walk around the neighborhood

Conclusion

As you can see, creating a daily routine for a 2 year old doesn’t have to be complicated, nor is it set in stone. Structure your day around your main “pillars” like eating and napping, filling the time between with activities and errands, both in and out of the home.

You now have several ideas of what to do during those times, from going to the playground and zoo to singing songs and playing with blocks.

Your days may feel anything but “routine,” but with these tips in mind, you can create a schedule for your 2 year old, even between Zoom meetings and chores.

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