5 Executive Function Boosters to Build into Summer Routines

July15. 2025

Summer is flying by — can you believe it’s already mid-July? For students, summer often means a much-needed break from early alarms, nightly homework, and packed schedules. Some kids keep their days structured with camps, lessons, or jobs, while others embrace a more open-ended, spontaneous pace. While this downtime can be relaxing and restorative, it also presents a risk: a gradual slide in executive functioning skills — those critical abilities like time management, organization, and task initiation that help kids successfully navigate both school demands and daily responsibilities.

The good news? With a few simple, low-pressure strategies, families can help children build and maintain essential executive functioning skills all summer long. These aren’t just academic tools — they’re life skills that support independence, confidence, and resilience year-round. By incorporating a handful of intentional habits into your family’s routine, you can set your child up for a smoother, more successful transition back to school this fall.

Here are five easy, effective ways to keep those executive function muscles strong this summer:

1. Use a Weekly Visual Planner or Calendar

A calendar — whether paper or digital — helps both kids and adults see what’s coming up, making it easier to anticipate and prepare. When children are learning to manage their time and commitments, I recommend starting with a simple paper calendar or whiteboard system. Keep it in a central spot, and review it together at the start of each week.

Use it to track appointments, outings, projects, and even chores. For example, if your child has a summer reading assignment or math packet, break it into manageable daily chunks and jot those down. Pair less-preferred activities with fun rewards (e.g., “When you’re done with your 10 minutes of reading, we’ll head to the pool”) to keep motivation high.

To make it more engaging, let kids color-code their activities or use stickers for special events like birthdays or visits from grandparents. Beyond planning and time management, this habit also builds flexibility — especially when plans need to change due to unexpected events.

2. Try a “Project of the Week”

Encourage your child to choose a personal project each week — like building a LEGO set, baking something new, organizing a collection, or exploring a hobby. Work together to break the project into steps and list out any questions or materials needed.

Summer is a perfect time to dive into topics or activities that might not fit into the busy school year. Have your child research local trees and go on a leaf-identification walk, plant a small vegetable garden, or visit a museum. For example, the Cleveland Museum of Art features a fascinating exhibit of 16th and 17th-century armor and weapons — a hands-on way to explore history and technology.

If your child’s motivated, they can even keep a summer journal of their projects, outings, and discoveries. These low-stress, interest-based projects build planning, attention, perseverance, and time management in a meaningful, natural way.

3. Work on Time Management and Estimation

Time is an abstract, tricky concept for many kids (and plenty of adults!). Help your child develop a better sense of it by playing simple estimation games. For instance, have them guess how long it takes to brush their teeth, set the table, or walk the dog — then time it together.

When getting ready to leave the house, sequence the necessary steps aloud. Challenge them to estimate how long the process might take and see how close they get. You can even keep a fun chart to track improvement over time or gently call attention to moments when they’re losing time to distractions like phone scrolling or video games.

Board games with sand timers are also a playful way to practice anticipating time limits and staying on task.

4. Build a Daily “Must-Do / Might-Do” List

Each morning, sit down together and identify 2–3 “must-do” tasks (like chores, reading, or hygiene) and a few “might-do” activities (like games, crafts, or outdoor play). This practice teaches prioritization, time management, and self-regulation.

It also lays the groundwork for understanding urgency versus importance — essential life skills for balancing responsibilities and leisure. Use the Premack Principle (sometimes called Grandma’s Law): pairing a less preferred task with a more desirable one. “Once you’ve finished your reading, you can have 20 minutes on the Switch.”

Helping kids learn to delay gratification — and experience the satisfaction of earning their preferred activities — builds perseverance and emotional regulation over time.

5. Use a Quick Daily Reflection Routine

Set aside a few minutes at the end of each day, whether before bed or during dinner, for a simple reflection:

• What went well today?

• Were there any unexpected events or something that you wish would have played out differently?

• What might you do differently tomorrow?

• Did you ask for help or clarification if it was needed?

• Did you make amends if you hurt someone’s feelings or behaved in an unexpected way?

This kind of metacognitive practice — essentially, thinking about one's own thinking — helps kids improve self-awareness, problem-solving, and emotional regulation. Parents can model this process by sharing their own reflections, including what didn’t go well and how they plan to adjust next time. It’s an easy, meaningful way to build insight, resilience, and authentic family conversations. Validate children for their willingness to share any challenging situations or big feelings.

Summing It All Up

Summer doesn’t have to be a time when executive functioning skills fade into the background— it can be a time when they thrive and grow. By building just a few intentional, low-pressure routines into your family’s day, you’ll help your child develop tools that will serve them well, both in the classroom and beyond.

Wondering which executive functioning skills your child or teen needs to sharpen — or how to support them best? Cogmotion Learning offers personalized coaching and tailored strategies to help them thrive. Reach out to learn more!"