School is hard, guys. Kids face so much stress! Waking up early, long days, short recesses, peer pressure, constant testing… They need an after school routine that allows them to decompress and get reenergized for the next busy day!
This post is sponsored by Sparkling Ice but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
Here are some easy ideas to help your tired little learner relax after their long day:
Have a Drink
Obviously, I mean a child-friendly drink.
School is a lot of work and your kids deserve a refreshing treat after toiling all day.
Sparkling Ice is the perfect beverage for your after school routine. It’s a fruity, flavorful, sparkling water that will leave your child feeling like royalty.
Each fizzy bottle of Sparkling Ice has zero sugar, zero calories, and all colors and flavors are naturally sourced. Not only do they taste amazing, but they’re also packed with vitamins and antioxidants. And they come in 16 delicious flavors so everyone in your family is guaranteed to find one they love.
You can drink Sparkling Ice straight from the bottle, but it’s way more fun to pour it into a special glass, drop in some fruit, and use a bright straw!
Chit Chat
The events of an entire school day can be mentally exhausting. While you’re sipping your Sparkling Ice, use that opportunity to let your kid unwind with some conversation.
If your kiddo is a little quiet or you have no idea where to start, I have an awesome list of questions for you to try. Just pick 4 or 5 each day and see where the conversation takes you!
- What made you feel happy today?
- What was the hardest part of your day?
- Did anyone give you a compliment?
- Did you give anyone a compliment?
- Who did you eat lunch with?
- Who did you play with at recess? What did you play?
- Did you follow all of the rules?
- Did everyone else follow the rules?
- What was your favorite thing that you learned?
- Did you read any new books?
- Did you finish all of your work?
- What’s something you did really well?
- What’s something you think could use more practice?
- Did you talk to your teacher today? What did (s)he say?
- Did you have to ask your teacher for help? What for?
- Do you think your teacher had a good day?
- If you could change one thing about your day, what would it be?
- What are you looking forward to tomorrow?
- Is there anything you need me to help you with?
- What else do you want to tell me about your day?
It’s amazing what a little talking can do to ease the burden for your worn out kid.
Another thing you can add to your after school routine is to quickly go through your child’s backpack or planner with them. As you finish up your Sparkling Ice, talk about projects or events coming up, celebrate accomplishments, and be aware of any struggles they may be facing.
All of this serves as a reminder that you want to be involved and that your child doesn’t have to experience the pressures of school alone.
Take some stress away from your teacher with these School Supplies on Every Teacher’s Wish List
What’s Your After School Routine?
Help your kids unwind by including Sparkling Ice in your afternoon!
Make it super easy for yourself by ordering a case from Amazon. If you’re a Prime member, you can save up to 15% (plus free delivery) with Subscribe & Save.
What’s your favorite Sparkling Ice flavor? Tell me in the comments!
For another refreshing treat, try our banana spinach smoothie recipe with your kiddos!
Talk to you soon!
our after school routine is simple homework, extra curricular homework, cursive practice, and then free time till bed (besides dinner and getting ready for bed) these are some cool ideas and questions!
Hi Alexis! Sounds like you guys have got an awesome afternoon routine going on!
We definitely have an after school routine of finished & unpacking lunch kits then we snuggle in fir some relaxing and tv until it’s time to start dinner. These drinks look so yummy I am going to have to get some!
Hey Teresa! Unpacking food containers is so important. It is not pretty when you forget about lunch boxes!
We use lots of cuddles with our after school routine and of course snacks 🙂 Great prompts to get the conversation going!
Thank you, Candice! I love that you make time for snuggling. That’s my favorite part of the day!
I’ve never heard of these. Great idea for chit chat after school!
Thanks, Kristi! I’d never heard of Sparkling Ice until recently, but I think you’ll love it!
Such a sweetie drinking that sparkling ice drink! We’ll have to give it a try, my kids love sparkling water, or “bubby aqua” as my toddler calls it hahaha
Hey Diana! We usually only drink plain water so my daughter was very excited about the yummy flavor and fizziness. I bet your kids will love Sparkling Ice, too!
We don’t really have an after school routine, only because my kids are homeschooled. lol I really want to try some Sparkling Ice, though, particularly the peach nectarine flavor!
Hi Kristin! Peach nectarine is amazing! Maybe you guys can incorporate a Sparkling Ice break or celebration somewhere into your week!
Zero sugar?! Yum!! Looks so tasty and refreshing.
Hey Britney! I know, I was skeptical about trying Sparkling Ice because I expected it to be bland, but all of the flavors I’ve tried really are delicious!
I love the list of questions that you added. Sometimes I have a hard time coming up with questions to ask my 5 year old. She always has tons to say but my questions are always “what’s your favorite thing that happened today” and “what made you sad today?” Lol.. always good to have something in your arsenal =P
Thank you, Maria! I hope these questions help you learn something new about your little one’s day!
So cute! I love the sparkling ice idea! And that is a great list of questions to get the conversation started with your child and get a feel of how their day went.
Thanks, Kesi! I know some parents get stuck trying to start a conversation after school so I wanted to give lots of options.
So cute! Our routine is to talk about how the day went during our drive home, snack time, then put on music and dance or play around outside to get extra energy out. And then complete any other things that need to be done for the next day.
Hi Nadia! That sounds so relaxing. I love the idea of an afternoon dance party!