8 Moms Share Their Kids After School Routine

What Is Your Kids’ After School Routine?

Earlier today B-Inspired Mama sponsors, Jimmy Dean® and State Fair®, inspired us to share some helpful morning routine hacks to help get in the back to school swing.  But what about after school?  Do your kids have a daily after school routine?  And will it be the same this school year as in year’s past?  Let’s hear from some fellow blogging mamas about their kids’ after school routines…

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Jimmy Dean® and State Fair®.  The opinions and text are all mine.  Please see my disclosure policy.

8 Kids’ After School Routine Ideas “From the Mouths of Moms”

1. Unpack Backpacks
   “When the kids come in the door, we unpack lunch bags and backpacks, wash our hands and get a snack which we take outside where we relax and talk about the day. Sometimes they want to get right to homework so they can have it done and other times they’ll play a while. Either way, homework is done before any evening activities or dinner. While I’m making dinner, we pack up backpacks and get any items that are needed for the next day (books, show & tell items, school supplies, pe clothes, etc.) and I have the kids choose outfits before they go to bed that night — makes the morning much easier!”  Jacquie of Edventures with Kids
2. Wash Up 
   “We start with washing up, sometimes showers since it is hot and humid most of the year. Then a snack. Since so far we didn’t have any homework, kids play, color or read. I let them unwind and relax from a full 8 to 5 day at kindergarten. Sometimes we go out for a swim.”  Varya of Creative World of Varya
3. Outdoor Play
   “After school, my kids grab a snack then go outside to play with neighbors. Around 5, they come in for a TV show while I cook dinner. After dinner, we usually go for a bike ride or walk as a family. (My boys’ school doesn’t give homework!)”  Melissa of Fireflies and Mudpies
4. Calming Activities
   “We start off with a snack and a nice calm activity to help the kids decompress, then on to homework, free play during dinner prep, dinner, quiet play, [and] then off to bed.”  MaryAnne of Mama Smiles
5. Have a Cuddle
   “We start with a ‘come home routine’ – unpack backpack, look at paperwork if any given, wash hands. Then there is a cuddle and a snack when we talk about the day. My daughter prefers to do her homework directly afterwards, so she doesn’t have to think about it later in a day.”  Natalie of Planet Smarty Pants
6. Read Together
   “We try to have a quick snack, and play outside until it is time for supper, and then my oldest reads to the younger ones while I get supper on the table”  Evelyne of Nemcsok Farms
7. Homework
   “Our after school routine shifted toward the end of last school year.  We used to meet at the dining room table where we would talk about the kids’ day and start homework while snacking.  We still meet there for our snack and to connect, often while drawing or coloring.  But we’ve moved homework to just before bedtime when it’s quieter and less distracting for my easily-distracted kiddos.”  Krissy of B-Inspired Mama
8. Connect Over a Snack! 
   “My kids always come home hungry so i like to have a snack all ready for them. We’ll then sit down with this and chat about what they’ve been doing at school. Then get straight onto any homework they have. After that they enjoy free play or we’ll sit down to some arts and crafts.”  Nicola of Crafty Kids at Home

What’s the Common Denominator in These After School Routines?

Did you notice what all of the above after school routines have in common?  A SNACK!  We all know that our kids come home from school hungry.  And as I mentioned above, my kids gather at the dining room table every day after school.  I like to have a snack ready and waiting for them so I can sit and chat with them about their day.  Jimmy Dean® and State Fair® makes that easy for me!

Just as our freezer stash of Jimmy Dean® and State Fair® products come to the rescue in the morning before school, they make it easy to have a warm and delicious after school snack, too.

State Fair® Classic Mini Corn Dogs have become the kids’ favorite new snack.  They only take a couple minutes to heat.  And I serve them in one family-style bowl (no need to dirty many dishes!).  With their water cups and corn dogs waiting for them, they’re happy kiddos.  And with easy prep and little-to-no cleanup, I can sit and connect with them before their off to play.  That makes for a happy mama, too!

When you’re back to school shopping at Walmart, make sure to swing by the freezer section to stock your freezer with Jimmy Dean® and State Fair® products for a great value on school breakfasts and after school snacks!

What is your kids’ after school routine like?  What is your kids’ favorite after school snack?  Join the conversation in the comments below!

More Back to School Tips from B-Inspired Mama:

    

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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Jimmy Dean® and State Fair® . The opinions and text are all mine.