fbpx
Site logo

--- Advertisement ---

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

Tips for Maintaining Routines During School Holidays

Girl washing her hands in the sink

SCHOOL HAS ENDED! Summer is a time for rest and relaxation, right?

School’s out and the sense of relief is palpable – no blaring alarm clocks, and no rushing off to school, extracurriculars and other appointments. Kids and parents alike are eager to create a summer that is filled with adventures or does the long summer holiday create a sense of anxiety – how am I going to entertain my kids for an entire summer? For some without the structure of school and its natural daily routines, it’s easy for life at home to fall apart. Bedtimes extend into the late hours, personal hygiene falls by the wayside, and there’s way too much screen time. Sound familiar?

Summer holidays are an important time to strike a balance especially when your every waking moment is not dictated by the school calendar, as much as we want our kids to have fun it is still important to maintain some kind of routine throughout the summer months. For our kids, routines are incredibly important as knowing what to expect gives them the security of knowing what comes next and in turn, a life-saving schedule can eliminate those power struggles at home promoting a happier summer holidays for everyone!

Image of timetable
Click here for a free printable timetable for kids

Here are a couple of ways that routines are helpful and some ideas for creating a sense of routine within your home during the summer months:

Eliminate The fear of The Unknown – What’s Next Mum!

Kids like to know what’s next, remember knowing what to expect provides a child with a sense of security.

  • Sit down with your family at the start of the summer holidays and create your “Summer Bucket List.” This will allow the kids to have a voice in deciding what they would like to do and give the kids something to look forward to and a clear timeline so they know what to expect. Plan some special events such as day camps, a trip to a waterpark, a farm tour… There is no shortage of kids activities in Bangkok or Chiang Mai and you can download our free activities and camps guide HERE to get your planning under way.
  • Maintain morning and evening routines, especially if your children need the structure to avoid meltdowns at the end of the day. While you can let the kids sleep in, create set times for washing up/brushing teeth, bathing, meals, reading, outdoor play, television, bedtime and any other daily activities. Older kids may benefit from having such tasks presented on a board as a checklist.
  • Create a visual schedule and for younger children – include lots of fun pictures, turn this into a creative activity where they can cut out or draw pictures of teeth cleaning, screen time, bed time and maybe gently introduce chore time!
  • Creating themes around week days is a good way to establish a sense of consistency throughout each week:
    • Messy Monday – do an art project with finger paints or practice writing in shaving cream, or make a mud pie!
    • Taco Tuesdays – let the kids create fun menus and even help chop and cook in the ktichen.
    • Wet Wednesday – visit different pools or splash pads or have a water balloon fight in your backyard!
    • Thursdays – help us brainstorm this one!
    • Fun Friday – explore a new playground each week or do something different like visit the zoo or the aquarium!
Boy with both hands cover in paint over his face

Routines Build Connections

  • Bedtime reading schedules are always such a precious part of a kid’s routine and an easy one to carry over into the summer holidays. It’s always a great way for kids to settle down before bed and an excellent chance to snuggle with mom or dad on the couch and create those special connections.
  • Summer holiday dinner times can always be such a family fun time, think picnics in the garden, the park, making camps under the dining table or building blanket forts in the kids rooms – go on, let them have dinner in their favourite places! As much as we know routines are key, it also doesn’t hurt to let the kids stay up late after dinner as a summer treat to watch the sun go down and the stars come out.
  • Maintain a consistent bedtime as best as you can!  Even though there isn’t school the next day, kids still need sleep!  And helping your child to wind-down after the events of the day can be a great time to check in with them, talk about the favourite parts of their day or what they love most about summer holidays.
Child sitting on parent's lap reading a book


Remember Directors of Entertainment, allow for a short transition period from school time into full holiday mode. You all deserve a break to do whatever you like. Savor the time off by lounging at home, planning short excursions around town or getting out of Bangkok for a few days. Don’t neglect your own schedule; regularly set aside time for yourself without the kids to rest, catch up on work or go out with friends.

Pssst... like what you're reading?

Join our community and never miss an event, post or update!

Just enter your email address below:

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

Follow Us!

Upcoming Events

Wellington College International Bangkok – Football Training

Wellington College International Bangkok 18 Krungthep Kreetha Road Saphan Sung District, Bangkok, Thailand

Join us here at Wellington for the finest football training in town! Our Wellington Extra providers, Galaxy, have lots of extra opportunities on their programmes this year. If your child […]

฿12000 – ฿35200

BimBi Italiani – Imparando l’Italiano

Salesian Sisters Foundation Saladaeng Road, Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok, Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand +1 more

ANNOUNCEMENT : ENROLLMENT OPEN FOR "IMPARANDO L'ITALIANO" IN BANGKOK,THAILAND For everyone in , BimBi Italiani has reopened registration for the weekly group language courses for children in Imparando l'Italiano from September […]

฿610 – ฿8610

Asobiba Art Exhibition

XSPACE GALLERY 71 15 Pridi Banomyong 14 Alley, Phra Khanong Nuea, Watthana,, Bangkok, Thailand

“Asobiba” Group exhibition by Nagoya University of the Arts and the Department of Fine Arts at KMITL At Xspace Gallery, Bangkok. (Main Hall) SHOW PERIOD: September 7 – December 22, […]

Please Contact

ELC Family of International Schools Bangkok – After-School Activities

The City School - International School Bangkok 18 Sukhumvit 49/4 Alley, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok, Thailand

We’re excited to open our After-School Activities registration today for children at The City School. We have a wonderful array of activities, including the following new classes available this year: […]

Please Contact

Alliance Française de Bangkok – French Course

Alliance Française de Bangkok 179 Witthayu road, Khwaeng Lumphini, Khet Pathum Wan, Bangkok,, Bangkok, Thailand

Great news for parents in Bangkok! Open the door to a world of linguistic and cultural discoveries for your children aged 3 to 11! Our next French course session begins […]

Please Contact
Get The Latest Updates

Subscribe To Our Weekly Newsletter

Get the latest kid and family-friendly activities and events in your inbox every Thursday! No spam, guaranteed.

More information

You May Also Like...

Santa in Bangkok

Where to Meet Santa in Bangkok

Remember that wonderful age when you believed in Santa and the magic of Christmas? Getting to see Santa in the flesh will be one of the many highlights of Christmas

Christmas Events in Bangkok

Are you looking to get in the holiday spirit? Or perhaps you’re ready to tick of all of those things your kiddos have on their list to Santa? Have no

Group kids play on festive camp at night

Festive Winter Camp Guide

Holiday breaks are a time for students to step back and refresh from the first academic semester. While many families will use this an another opportunity to continue exploring Thailand,