Project Planner for Kids
I love to encourage my kids to dig deep into something that interests them. Taking on a research project, building something, or learning a new skill can be a large or longer-term project. This simple project planning template helps kids brainstorm ideas, choose one, and make a plan to complete it.
At the end of this post, you can download my simple project planning template.
If you need a more detailed project planner, head over to my Etsy shop and check out my
Project Planner for Kids.
If your child wants to learn to cook a favorite meal, build a backyard ninja course, produce a video, write a book, run a 10K, or research space travel, this project planner can help them brainstorm ideas, clearly identify their purpose, break down the steps to take, and assess their results.
Why Your Kids Should Take on a Project
Your child will learn valuable life skills as they:
- Set a goal
- Break their desired outcome into actionable steps
- Determine who or what they can turn to for help
- Think about possible problems & solutions
- Self-assess and reflect on their success (whether or not the outcome is as originally intended)
Brainstorming
A great way for your kids to begin is to brainstorm project ideas for a task that cannot be completed in one day. This will depend on the age of your child, but for my kids, the intent was that they stick with the project for at least one month, and that it require some step-by-step planning and execution.
Pretty much any constructive use of their time will work for a project—physical, artistic, scientific, research, or money-making projects. My kids have lots of ideas: knitting a scarf, writing a book, creating a fairyland in a shoebox, making a movie, teaching a weekly exercise class, and many more.
Choosing a Project
After their brainstorming session, have your child think through which project they would like to pursue. It’s ok to offer input, and require them to receive final approval of their project idea from you.
I had one child write a song, another create a weekly family newspaper + train for a 5K (overachiever alert), and the third built a LEGO city. (I was pushed into accepting this one by a teary-eyed cutie who insisted that she would make this into more than her usual playtime. The youngest truly gets away with everything.)
What’s the Purpose?
After choosing a project idea, have your child think about the purpose or overarching goal of their project. Will they have written a 10-page paper? Can they complete 10 pullups at the end? Do they want to be able to explain the periodic table to someone? They should have a clearly identified purpose and outcome for their project.
Set a Deadline
Work with your child to come up with a target completion date for their project. Having a due date can be helpful to work backwards and set a timeline for individual task completion.
Planning
Their next step is to make a list of supplies and resources needed to complete their project. Following that, they should begin planning out tasks they must work through to complete or create their project. They may wish to sketch out preliminary ideas or think about potential problems.
Some projects may require setting a budget and tracking expenses for tools or supplies.
Designate a specific weekly time for them to work on their project, along with allowing for additional work whenever they have free time.
You can download and use this project planning template for your kids too. Find out what they’re interested in and encourage them to dig in and get creative!
Click here to download the Project Plan Template with Color or Project Plan Template in black & white.
Read: 9 Lists Homeschool Moms Should Make
More Tools to Help Your Kids Plan and Prioritize
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Project Planner for Kids
