How to Support Your Child During the School Holidays: 8 Ways to Keep Them Engaged, Active, and Mentally Well
The school term has come to an end. For students, it’s a sigh of relief — a break from early mornings, tests, and routines. For parents and caregivers? It can feel a little more complex.
Without school structure, many children begin to drift: staying up late, scrolling endlessly, isolating in their rooms, or becoming restless and emotional without quite knowing why. And for parents who are still working, the holidays can bring a new kind of pressure:
“How do I keep them busy, safe, and mentally well — without spending a fortune or losing my mind?”
At School of Hard Knocks (SOHK), we know that term breaks can be both a gift and a challenge. Young people need rest, but they also need connection, purpose, movement, and support — especially those navigating difficult home or emotional circumstances.
This blog is here to help. Below are 8 practical, low-cost ways to support your child’s mental health, energy levels, and emotional development during the holiday break — no expensive camps or screen marathons required.
1. Keep a Light Routine (But Stay Flexible)
Structure gives children a sense of safety. Without it, anxiety and frustration can creep in. That doesn’t mean creating a strict schedule — but having some form of rhythm helps.
Try this:
Wake-up windows (e.g., between 8–9am)
Shared breakfast or morning walk
“Activity hours” between lunch and dinner
Evening quiet time: puzzles, books, or chats
Even a loose schedule can help avoid the daily battles of “What are we doing today?” and “Why are you still on your phone?”
🧠 Mental Health Bonus: Predictable days help regulate sleep, mood, and emotional outbursts.
2. Prioritize Movement Every Day
A moving body is a moving mind.
When children stay indoors for too long, screen time increases, moods worsen, and energy gets bottled up. The result? Explosions — emotional and otherwise.
No fancy gym needed. Try:
Impromptu dance parties
Jump rope or ball games in a yard or driveway
Free YouTube fitness videos
Making cleaning the house into a movement game
🚶🏾♀️ Mental Health Bonus: Movement reduces stress, boosts mood, and improves focus — even during downtime.
3. Set Social Goals Together
Many children feel lonely during school holidays — especially if they don’t have easy access to friends or playmates. That loneliness can sometimes look like irritation, withdrawal, or acting out.
Help your child maintain healthy social connection, even if it's minimal.
Ask them:
“Who do you miss hanging out with?”
“Would you like to call or visit someone this week?”
“Is there someone you'd like to invite over for lunch or a play date?”
No friends nearby? Introduce them to safe, structured youth programs (sports, church groups, or SOHK sessions) if available.
🤝 Mental Health Bonus: Belonging is a core need. Connection combats anxiety and strengthens emotional resilience.
4. Encourage Skill-Building and Creativity
Term break is the perfect time to learn something without pressure or marks attached. This could be the spark that ignites a future passion — or simply boosts confidence and curiosity.
Some ideas:
Teach them how to cook one family recipe
Learn a song, poem, or dance together
Build a puzzle or paint a mural
Try a new language using free mobile apps
Assign them a challenge (e.g., “Build something using only cardboard”)
🎨 Mental Health Bonus: Skill-building supports self-esteem, focus, and problem-solving — all while having fun.
5. Talk About Emotions — Casually
Without the school rush, holidays offer a rare chance to slow down and connect emotionally. But many kids won’t open up if asked directly. Keep it low-pressure and casual.
Try these gentle prompts:
“What are you most looking forward to this week?”
“Has anything felt tricky lately?”
“If you could change one thing about school, what would it be?”
These questions create emotional safety without feeling like an interrogation.
🗣️ Mental Health Bonus: Conversations reduce emotional build-up and remind kids they don’t have to deal with feelings alone.
6. Limit Passive Screen Time (Gently)
It’s tempting to let children disappear into screens all day. And let’s be real — sometimes it’s necessary. But unchecked screen time, especially on social media, can affect mood, sleep, and self-esteem.
Try this instead:
Set screen “zones” (e.g., no phones at the dinner table)
Make them “earn” screen time by doing something physical or creative first
Watch a show together and talk about it after
📱 Mental Health Bonus: Reducing passive scrolling gives the brain time to rest, think, and reconnect with real-world experiences.
7. Involve Them in Something Bigger
A powerful antidote to boredom is purpose. Even small acts of contribution can make young people feel important and included.
Ideas:
Ask them to help with grocery planning or budgeting
Give them a task that matters: “Can you design a welcome sign for guests?”
Volunteer together (food drives, park clean-up, etc.)
🌱 Mental Health Bonus: Feeling useful boosts self-worth and reduces feelings of helplessness.
8. Give Them Time to Just Be Kids
Let’s not forget the simplest, most powerful holiday activity: unstructured play.
Whether it’s climbing trees, drawing on the pavement, riding bikes, or building forts, children need time to be imaginative, silly, and free from expectations.
We don’t need to over-schedule every moment.
🏕️ Mental Health Bonus: Unstructured play strengthens creativity, emotional processing, and self-soothing skills — all essential for long-term wellbeing.
For Parents and Caregivers: You Matter Too
Supporting your child’s mental health during the holidays begins with your own wellbeing. If you’re burned out, overwhelmed, or emotionally stretched, it’s okay to slow down too.
Here’s how to take care of yourself during term break:
Share responsibilities if possible
Take 10 minutes a day for something just for you
Let go of perfection — good enough is good enough
Reach out for support if needed
🌸 Your presence matters more than perfect plans.
Final Thought: School May Pause — But Support Doesn’t Have To
The holidays don’t have to feel like survival mode.
With a little rhythm, creativity, movement, and connection, these weeks can become a time of deep bonding, emotional growth, and lasting memories.
At School of Hard Knocks, we believe in supporting young people year-round. Whether it’s through structured sessions, sports, group work, or simple conversations — we know that mental health doesn’t take a holiday.
And neither does love.
Want to get involved?
Sponsor a holiday skills workshop for SOHK learners
Donate to help us run mental health and mentorship programmes
Share this article with a fellow parent or educator who needs a reminder that they’re doing enough.
🔗 www.schoolofhardknocks.co.za
📬 info@schoolofhardknocks.co.za