A daily activity log template helps you record what you did, when and for how long, so you can see where time really goes. People use activity logs to manage their workload, track exercise, or follow a baby’s feeds and naps.
This page brings together five printable examples, including a work activity log, a physical activity diary and a baby activity log, in Word, Excel and PDF formats.
What’s Included
- A general daily activity log sample with time slots and notes
- A physical activity diary in PDF for tracking exercise
- A work activity log example for tasks and time spent
- A daily activity log for babies covering feeds, sleep and changes
- A printable daily activity log template
| Template | File format | Hosted on |
|---|---|---|
| Daily activity log sample | Word (.doc) | External site |
| Physical Activity Diary (PDF) | External site | |
| Work Activity Log example | External site | |
| Daily Activity Log for Babies | Excel (.xls, external) | External site |
| Printable Daily Activity Log template | Excel (.xls, external) | External site |
Download the Free Daily Activity Log Templates
Some of these samples are hosted on other websites, so they open from the original source. Click a preview or download button to open the file.
Daily activity log sample
Physical Activity Diary (PDF)
Work Activity Log example
Daily Activity Log for Babies
Printable Daily Activity Log template
How to Use These Templates
- Choose the log that matches what you want to track: work, exercise or a baby’s routine.
- Download and print it, or fill it in on screen.
- Record activities as they happen, or at set times through the day.
- Note the start time, duration and anything worth remembering.
- Review the log at the end of the day or week to spot patterns.
- Use what you learn to adjust your schedule, habits or routine.
Who It’s For
Activity logs are useful for employees and freelancers tracking time, managers reviewing workloads, people following a fitness plan, and parents or carers tracking a baby’s day.
- Time management and productivity reviews
- Exercise and health tracking
- Baby and childcare routines
- Recording work for timesheets or reports
Tips for Keeping a Daily Activity Log
- Log in real time. Notes made later are often less accurate.
- Use short entries. A few words per activity is enough.
- Group activities. Categories such as meetings, admin and focused work make patterns clearer.
- Keep it for at least a week. One day rarely shows the full picture.
- Act on what you find. The point is to make a change, not just to collect data.
A Completed Daily Activity Log Example
Record an observable task and its outcome rather than a broad label such as “admin.” The following fictional entries show how to separate focused work from interruptions.
| Time | Activity | Planned? | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00–9:45 | Draft client proposal | Yes | Completed pricing section |
| 9:45–10:00 | Respond to urgent supplier call | No | Confirmed delivery date |
| 10:00–10:15 | Break | Yes | Returned at 10:15 |
| 10:15–11:00 | Revise proposal | Yes | Sent draft for review |
Turn Entries into a Weekly Decision
Suppose five days contain 40 recorded hours, including six hours of unplanned calls. Those calls account for 15% of recorded time: 6 ÷ 40 × 100. Check which calls were necessary before treating them as wasted time. Try a scheduled callback window for routine questions and compare the next week. Keep necessary breaks visible rather than counting every non-work interval as a problem.
This page covers a whole-day record, including personal activities. For job tasks, project references and client billing, use the daily work log templates. To plan future time blocks instead of recording completed activity, start with a daily schedule template.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a daily activity log?
A daily activity log is a record of what you did during the day, usually with times and durations, used to understand and improve how time is spent.
How do I fill in an activity log?
Write each activity with its start time and how long it took, plus any notes. Review the log at the end of the day.
Are these templates free?
Yes, all the samples on this page are free to download. Some are hosted on third-party websites.
Related Templates
Choose a free daily activity log template above and start tracking your day to see where your time really goes.
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