logo_light

Get your free printable ADHD routine charts

By providing your email, you agree to Headway Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy, and to receive the latest Headway news and updates.

The download link will be sent to your inbox

Download your free printable ADHD routine charts to simplify daily life

Looking for free printable ADHD routine charts to simplify your daily life? Here, you'll find free resources, templates, and tips on using them effectively. These ADHD-friendly daily planners will support your executive functioning, improve time management, and foster good habits. 

Upon downloading your template, you get a fully customizable chart with a mood tracker box, daily motivation, to-do list, and advice section you can fill out and adjust to your needs. Here's how.

Who is Headway's ADHD routine chart best for?

You'll benefit from a printable routine planner the most if you belong to one of these groups:

  1. Individuals with ADHD

    • Helps manage daily routines, increase focus, and stay organized.

    • Reduces distractions by breaking tasks into smaller, manageable segments.

  2. Parents managing their child's ADHD

    • Creates a structured environment that supports focus and habit-building.

    • Encourages children to take responsibility for their day and see progress visually.

  3. Caregivers

    • Aids in creating consistent schedules, making daily tasks more predictable and less overwhelming.

    • Provides a visual tool for tracking progress and reinforcing positive behavior.

  4. Teachers and educators

    • Helps students with ADHD follow clear daily schedules.

    • Supports classroom management by providing visual routines for students to track.

  5. Students

    • Helps students manage school tasks, homework, and extracurricular activities.

    • Keeps students on track by creating a daily structure that promotes focus and time management.

  6. Anyone building productive, sustainable habits

    • Helps anyone develop new habits, such as time management, fitness schedules, or daily reading.

    • Provides visual tracking that reinforces progress and boosts motivation.

By using these ADHD routine charts, individuals, families, and educators can create a more organized, less stressful environment that fosters focus and success.

Why use routine charts for ADHD: Five key benefits

Living with ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions like autism means facing unique challenges every day. The ADHD brain struggles to plan and remember tasks, which can make even the simplest daily routine feel overwhelming.

This struggle often impacts executive functioning, making it challenging to complete daily tasks efficiently.

Research shows that structured daily plans using routine charts can help individuals with ADHD manage stress and time effectively. They act as an ADHD planner and visual routine checklist, significantly reducing decision fatigue through their clear structure. These visual schedules offer:

  1. Clear visual cues and reminders

  2. A sense of predictability

  3. Improved mental health tips

  4. Better time management skills

  5. Positive ways of living

Using routine charts can also promote healthier habits and support adults and children with ADHD in managing their daily tasks more effectively. Visual aids, chunking tasks into smaller steps, and self-monitoring techniques can further enhance the effectiveness of these worksheets.

Predictable routines significantly reduce the anxiety levels often associated with ADHD by preparing you for upcoming activities. This anxiety reduction can lead to a calmer and more organized daily life.

Four ways to get your printable chart to serve your needs

Finding the right routine chart can make a difference in handling ADHD symptoms. Whether you have younger kids, older children, or are managing ADHD yourself, there's a template that can help.

These to-do lists come in unique styles, from minimalist to colorful options, allowing you to choose what best suits your preferences. With editable templates available for free download, you can customize these charts to meet your specific needs. Laminating them can increase their durability and allow for repeated use with dry-erase markers.

Here are some of the most useful formats available.

1. Morning routine chart: How to start your day on the right foot

A consistent morning routine can set a positive tone for the rest of the day. For example:

  • 6:30 am: Wake up

  • 6:30 am – 6:40 am: Exercise

  • 7:00 am: Have breakfast

  • 7:15 am: Shower and dress

  • 7:30 am – 7:45 am: Brush teeth and other morning tasks

  • 8:00 am: Leave for school, homeschool, or work

A clear, editable morning checklist placed in visible spots like the bathroom mirror can reinforce these morning tasks and make the routine more manageable. It's also a great visual reminder to complete other daily tasks.

2. Daily schedule chart: How to plan your time effectively

Daily schedule charts are helpful tools to help ADHD kids and adults stay organized and focused throughout the day, including chores and after-school activities. These charts use visual cues to keep you on track and reduce feelings of stress and confusion.

By giving a clear plan, daily schedule charts make it easier to manage your time. This method helps you finish tasks and build confidence.

3. Bedtime routine chart: How to unwind and sleep well

A well-structured bedtime routine helps you wind down and prepare for sleep. Consistency helps your body cooperate with the brain, making it easier to fall asleep and feel rested. Add the next day's schedule to your bedtime routine checklists for structure and anxiety-free planning.

Use your printable to set a screen time limit before bed. Incorporating relaxing activities and rewards can keep you engaged and make bedtime a more pleasant experience. Reading or listening to a book summary before bedtime is a sure way to get new knowledge faster and enjoy your favorite book in a bite-sized format.

4. Weekly goal tracker: How to monitor your progress

For older kids and teenagers, a weekly goal tracker can be an invaluable tool to manage their time with homework and other tasks. These trackers break big tasks into smaller steps, helping everyone stay on track and avoid putting things off.

When you sort your tasks by due dates and importance, you can stay organized and avoid rushing at the last minute. You can also personalize the weekly goal tracker to fit your schedule and preferences, making it a great way to boost productivity.

How can you use ADHD routine charts?

Using routine charts the right way can help with managing ADHD. Here's how you can do it:

  1. Customize it: Change the routine chart to match your lifestyle.

  2. Work together: Get your child involved in making their own routine chart.

  3. Keep it steady: Make sure everyone in the family sticks to the routine. When you and your loved ones are on the same page, it works better.

If taking on new tasks feels hard, try these tips:

  • Break big tasks into smaller, easier parts.

  • Use the "Five-Minute Rule" (focus on one task for just five minutes).

  • Give yourself or your child positive rewards for following the routine and finishing tasks.

Taking it slow and steady helps new routines stick better.

Additional resources for ADHD and habit formation

Making good habits takes time. It starts with:

  • Deciding to act

  • Turning that decision into a behavior

  • Developing consistent habits

Habit formation can take significantly longer than the often-cited 21 days, averaging between 106 and 154 days.

The Headway app provides concise summaries of non-fiction books, making it easier to grasp essential ideas quickly and promoting daily reading habits with daily challenges, reminders, and streaks. 

And if you want to stay organized throughout the day, download other free printables by Headway:

These free printables will help you streamline your daily routines and track your progress while staying motivated and focused throughout the day. Each printable is designed for personal growth in different areas, from maintaining a clean and organized space to fostering consistent reading habits. 

Whether you're tracking your habits, organizing your environment, or learning key concepts from bestselling books, Headway's printables offer practical tools to help you stay on track and achieve your goals. Don't forget to explore and download them to enhance your productivity and personal development!

Learn to organize your day with Headway

As you can see, free printable ADHD routine charts, combined with the valuable insights from Headway book summaries, empower you to build structured routines and transform your daily habits for long-term success.

With more than 30 million users, the Headway community provides a wealth of knowledge and support. The app promotes daily reading habits with key insights from non-fiction bestsellers like 'Atomic Habits,' 'The 48 Laws of Power.'

Download the Headway app today and start your journey towards better attention management and daily habit formation.

Frequently Asked Questions about free printable ADHD routine charts

What is a good daily routine for ADHD?

A good daily routine for ADHD includes structured time blocks, regular breaks, and visual cues. Focus on tasks like meals, exercise, and sleep while minimizing distractions. Use tools like printable ADHD routine charts to stay organized and on track.

What is the 10-3 rule for ADHD?

The 10-3 rule for ADHD suggests working for 10 minutes, followed by a 3-minute break. This technique helps maintain focus and manage attention fatigue, making it easier to stay productive without feeling overwhelmed.

Do behavior charts work for ADHD?

Yes, behavior charts work for ADHD by providing visual tracking of tasks, rewards, and progress. They help reinforce positive behaviors, increase motivation, and improve self-regulation in daily routines.

How to make a timetable for ADHD?

To make a timetable for ADHD, break the day into manageable time blocks, prioritize tasks, and include built-in breaks. Use color coding or symbols for easy reference, and stick to a consistent schedule to build habits and reduce overwhelm.

Why are routine charts effective for ADHD?

Routine charts are effective for ADHD because they create structure and predictability, which can significantly reduce anxiety and help with task management. By following a routine, individuals can focus better and navigate their day with greater ease.

How do I start using a routine chart effectively?

To start using a routine chart effectively, customize it with your child's input and keep it consistent. This approach helps break tasks into manageable steps and encourages positive reinforcement, making the routine fun and engaging!

Free Printable Templates