Wellbeing - Holidays

Holiday screen time

As the school holidays approach, many families start thinking about how to keep children entertained, active, and connected — without relying too heavily on screens. While technology can be a great tool, the break is also a perfect chance for kids to rest, play, explore, and recharge in ways that support their wellbeing.

The school holidays are always a peak danger zone for online safety and digital balance. As soon as the holiday bell rings, students experience a massive spike in unsupervised screen time. Reducing online issues over the break results in fewer issues for schools to manage on the first day back.

Here is a collection of free resources for families from the Cyber Safety Project designed to strengthen the partnership between school and home.

Here are some simple, engaging, screen‑free ideas to help your child enjoy a balanced and joyful holiday.

Outdoor Adventures

Fresh air and movement do wonders for children’s mood, focus, and confidence.

Nature scavenger hunt — Kids search for items like “something smooth”, “a leaf with spots”, or “a stick shaped like a letter”.
Backyard camping — Set up a tent, read books with a torch, or stargaze.
Local park challenges — Time their lap around the oval, create an obstacle course, or try a new playground.

Creative Projects

Hands-on creativity builds imagination, problem‑solving, and emotional expression.

Holiday craft box — Fill a tub with paper, glue, cardboard, fabric scraps, and recycled materials.
DIY board game — Children invent rules, draw a board, and test it with family.
Mini art gallery — Kids create artworks and display them at home for a “gallery walk”.

Cooking & Making

Cooking builds independence, maths skills, and pride in achievement.

Simple recipes — Fruit kebabs, mini pizzas, or no‑bake slices.
Family cookbook — Kids illustrate favourite recipes and add new ones.
Food science fun — Make butter in a jar, grow crystals, or explore kitchen chemistry.

Quiet Time & Wellbeing

Children also need calm moments to rest their minds and bodies.

Mindfulness moments — Breathing exercises, guided relaxation, or mindful colouring.
Puzzle corner — Jigsaws, crosswords, tangrams, or Lego challenges.
Holiday journal — Kids draw or write one thing they enjoyed each day.

The goal isn’t to remove screens entirely — it’s to help children enjoy a healthy mix of activities that support their wellbeing. With a little planning, the holidays can be full of creativity, connection, movement, and fun.

Natasha Franchina

Learning Diversity Leader / Wellbeing Leader

MHiPS Leader