Author: Kate Sheppard
With no homework and plenty of freedom to play, school holidays are an exciting time for children. As parents, though, the sudden shift from routine can feel a little less thrilling. In fact, over 50% of parents are burnt out before the summer break is even close to being over, with unbalanced days leading to extreme fatigue.
To help tackle feelings of overwhelm, it’s smart to create a routine. This doesn’t mean scheduling every day of the holidays, but instead having a few plans in place to make the break easier. From school holiday activities to budgeting, tackle out-of-term-time head-on with this handy guide.
Juggle Work and Childcare
Working during the holidays is always a challenge. When looking at your school holiday routine, check if there’s any flexibility in your work schedule. Speak to your boss about working from home or temporarily cutting down hours so you can spend more time with your children.
No room for flexibility? No problem, there are still plenty of options for juggling work and childcare.
We run school holiday camps, for instance, that provide round-the-clock care and activities in amazing locations. From outdoor ‘survival’ camps to musical theatre weeks, you can tailor your child’s experience based on their interests for inspiring holiday fun. Keep your children entertained and reduce your stress by checking out our summer holiday camps.
You could also explore volunteering opportunities for your children. Some programmes don’t require parental supervision, making them a smart choice for keeping your kids busy while you work.
Check out the Duke of Edinburgh’s volunteering ideas for inspiration.
Chat with parents at your child’s school about a potential shared childcare plan, too. Propose a rotation of childcare based on when you have time off work, making the school holidays a little easier for everyone.
Set an Activity Budget
School holidays and half-term activities can be expensive. When planning a healthy routine, look into costs so that you can avoid financial stress.
This starts with setting a budget for activities. To get started, follow these steps:
- Decide on an amount you’re willing to spend across the holidays and treat it as your activity fund.
- List all the potential activities your children would enjoy, like swimming or a trip to the zoo.
- Add approximate costs for each activity, including entry fees, travel, and snacks.
- Prioritise activities and add a running total as you go.
Budgeting for the holidays also provides the perfect opportunity to get your kids involved in some basic financial planning. Sit down together and show them the list of activities and their prices. Explain the concept and ask them to help you choose which activities should go ahead, and which you’ll skip to stay within your budget.
Get Your Garden Summer Holiday Ready
Gardens are a lifesaver during the spring and summer school holidays. An outdoor space is ideal for letting your children burn off some energy unsupervised, leaving you a little time to relax or get on with your to-do list.
Even small gardens are brilliant for summer activities. Buy some pots for your children to create a herb garden, give them chalks for patio drawings, or set up a simple outdoor play corner with a sand pit or craft table.
If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, you can also turn it into a functional space that blends school holiday fun with essential chores. Simple things like adding a pergola create a handy shaded spot where you can work (without glare) while your children play close by. Look into different pergola ideas to help inspire a space that works for both relaxation and family time.
It may seem small, but prepping your garden with activities and practical seating can make a huge difference to your holiday routine. You don’t need to leave the house to have a fun day in the sun, making outdoor time a lot less stressful.
Easy and Budget-Friendly Things to Do
Speaking of costs, preparing some cheap things to do in the school holidays is a smart idea. These are the activities you can fall back on when your kids are bored (that dreaded word!), it’s a rainy day, or your existing plans fall through, all without impacting your budget.
Here’s our list of budget-friendly things to do in the school holidays:
- Head to the local library to choose books
- Camp out in your garden
- Try out geocaching
- Go on a bug hunt or bird watching adventure
- Bake sweet treats at home
- Carry out an indoor or outdoor scavenger hunt
Keep your eyes peeled for free activities in your local area, too. Local organisations (like libraries and community centres) often host free family-friendly events during the school holidays, making them great for budget-friendly fun.
Limit Screen Time
A little bit of screen time is okay, but a healthy school holiday routine should involve plenty of variety. It’s recommended that children under 5 have no more than one hour of screen time a day, and older children’s screen time should be limited.
To help your kids steer clear of too much screen time, look for easy swaps like:
- Books
- Magazines
- Arts and crafts
- Lego
- Puzzles
- Activity and sticker books
If your child asks for a screen, redirect them to one of these activities. You can also reduce their interest by telling them you have something much more exciting planned, like a treasure hunt or outdoor play.
Ready for a challenge? Try a screen-free week to shake up your routine, with a reward for everyone in your home who manages to achieve it.
Remember to Rest
The school holidays are full on, and it’s important to remember that rest is okay. You don’t need to have exciting activities scheduled 24/7, and a day spent indoors is far from wasted.
When you just want a little bit of rest, opt for easy solutions like a film night or a puzzle. Try to build in small pockets of calm throughout the week, too, like a relaxed morning in pyjamas or an afternoon of reading. These preventative measures give you a chance to breathe and sit down before burnout hits.
There’s nothing wrong with allowing screen time when you need to rest, either. Letting your kids watch TV or play games on a tablet is an ideal way to keep them busy while you focus on essential self-care, helping you recharge for more enjoyable school holidays.
Final Thoughts
With a little bit of planning, the school holidays don’t have to be quite so overwhelming. Just remember to sort out childcare in advance, budget for activities, and give yourself a break when you need one. This is your reminder that you don’t have to do it all.
Looking for more information on our school holiday camps? Check out our parent guide for answers to all the important questions.