A picture routine chart for kids, on paper or on screen
A routine chart for kids turns the same few steps — toilet, wash, dress, breakfast, teeth, shoes — into a sequence of pictures a child can follow on their own. This maker starts from a ready morning, bedtime or after-school routine (or your own steps), adds a picture for each step from the words you type, and prints it as big picture cards or as a week grid with a tick box for every day.
Prefer screens? The same steps appear as large tappable cards below the chart, so your child can tick each one off on a tablet or phone; today’s ticks are saved on that device only and clear themselves the next day. Visual schedules like this are widely used for toddlers, school-age children and children with ADHD or autism, who often find a clear, predictable sequence easier than spoken reminders.
How to make a routine chart
- Choose a routine — morning, bedtime or after school — or “My own steps”.
- Edit the steps, one per line, in the order your child does them; add a time at the start of a line (“7:15 Breakfast”) if you like.
- Add your child’s name, pick the printed layout and colours, and the paper size.
- Print it, download the PDF or PNG — or let your child tick the steps on screen.
Kids Routine Chart Maker features
Pictures from words
Teeth, toilet, bath, dress, breakfast, bag, shoes, story, bed and more get a matching picture automatically.
Two printed layouts
Big numbered picture cards with one tick box each, or a week grid to tick every day.
Tick on screen
Large buttons with a progress bar and a “well done” when everything is ticked; saved for today only.
Optional times
Start a line with a time to print it on the card.
Print-ready
Vector PDF, PNG or direct print on A4, Letter, A5 or Legal.
Example routines
| Morning | Bedtime | After school |
|---|---|---|
| Wake up | Tidy toys | Snack and drink |
| Use the toilet | Bath time | Unpack school bag |
| Wash face and hands | Pyjamas on | Wash hands |
| Get dressed | Use the toilet | Homework |
| Eat breakfast | Brush teeth | Play outside |
| Brush teeth and hair | Story time | Dinner |
| Pack school bag, shoes on | Hugs and goodnight, lights out | Bath time |
Making a routine chart work
- Keep it short. Five to eight steps for under-fives; up to twelve for older children.
- Same order every day. Predictability is the point — change the chart rather than the order.
- Child height and in place. Put the morning chart by the bathroom or front door and the bedtime chart in the bedroom.
- Praise the effort. A tick, a sticker or a high five works better than a big reward; for rewards and chores, use the chore chart maker.
- Time it with sleep. Work back from the right bedtime with the kids bedtime calculator so the routine starts early enough.
Routine charts for children with ADHD or autism
Many children who struggle with transitions do better with a visual schedule: one step at a time, the same pictures, and a clear “done” signal. Keep the words short, consider cutting the picture cards out and laminating them for a velcro strip, and agree any changes in advance. The chart is a practical aid, not a treatment — talk to your child’s doctor, therapist or school about support.
Kids Routine Chart Maker FAQ
How do I make a morning routine chart for kids printable?
Choose “Morning routine”, edit the steps, add your child’s name and press Print chart, or download the PDF to print later.
Can toddlers use a bedtime routine chart?
Yes. Pick “Bedtime routine”, keep it to five or six steps, and use the picture cards layout — toddlers follow pictures before they can read.
Can my child tick the routine on a tablet?
Yes. The steps appear as large buttons below the chart; tapping one ticks it, and the ticks reset the next day. Nothing leaves the device.
How are the pictures chosen?
From keywords in each step: “teeth” gets a smile, “bath” a bathtub, “shoes” footprints, “story” a book. Steps without a known word get a star.
What is the difference between a routine chart and a chore chart?
A routine chart is an ordered sequence of daily self-care steps; a chore chart lists household jobs and who does them each day.
Is anything uploaded?
No. The chart, PDF, PNG and ticks are all made and stored in your browser.