Happy Holidays: A Rhythm for Summer Holidays in the Bush
You don’t need a perfectly planned school holiday schedule. A few predictable anchors are enough to keep kids settled while still leaving loads of room for fun and downtime.
Our Occupational Therapist Georgie says predictability gives children a sense of control and helps them stay regulated. School holidays are a big change because all the routines around school disappear, so here are some tips to help families navigate holidays.
Keep a few anchors, not a timetable. Aim for a similar rough wake-up, meals and a wind-down before bed, with plenty of loose space in between. Keeping self-care tasks in the same order also helps kids stay independent without it feeling like school.
Make the plan visible. Georgie suggests a shared family calendar or a whiteboard on the fridge, plus simple visual schedules, so kids can see what is coming instead of having to remember it. Use “first, then” language, like “first jobs, then the creek”. Pop a couple of “surprise” cards on the calendar too, so kids who like to know the plan can still handle the unplanned days.
Work with the heat, not against it. Save active play for the cooler early mornings and late afternoons, and go quiet and shady through the middle of the day. Beat-the-heat ideas that still build skills include baking together, board and card games, drawing, building, and a water play tub on the verandah.
Use the property you already have. Everyday jobs like carrying feed, water runs, or pushing a wheelbarrow are calming heavy work for busy bodies. Add things like climbing, bike riding, hanging washing, kicking a ball and animal care because movement can often reset a child without needing a conversation.
Screens and boredom. Be mindful of how much extra screen time your kids are getting on the holidays. Screens can wind kids up rather than down so try plan some activities ahead of time, or give space for unstructured play to encourage imagination and independence.
For families heading away. Talk through the trip beforehand, pack a few comfort and regulation items, and keep one or two familiar anchors, like the same bedtime wind-down, wherever you land.
Expect a wobble first. Once the pressure of school lifts, some kids can get more unsettled before they settle, so plan for a bit of recovery time before filling the calendar.
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