School’s Out: Our favourite school holidays
After a jam-packed school term, the holidays always offer a welcome break from all the madness – a chance to recoup and reconnect as a family. Whether it’s a long, hazy summer holiday spent in the sunshine, or a freezing winter break spent cosied up together indoors, here are just some of the highlights of the school holidays.
The Easter break
The first signs of spring usually appear in April and the Easter break is prime time for welcoming the first rays of sunshine and spending time outdoors. After a long winter bundled up under thick coats, it’s a joy to head out for a walk with the kids without worrying about the cold and rain.
The great thing about the Easter holiday is there’s always plenty to keep the kids busy. Not only does warmer weather mean outdoor games, picnics and long walks, but there are loads of fun seasonal activities to try. A classic Easter egg hunt is always a winner, as well as arts and crafts.
We love decorating blown eggs with paint and felt tip pens; all you have to do is make a small hole in each end of the egg and blow the contents into a bowl (keep for your scrambled eggs or omelettes after your hard work) and decorate away. Trying to create a range of characters is always fun!
May half term
This half term holiday is a great opportunity to get away for a long weekend and make the most of the weather. A minibreak in the UK is often the easiest and most affordable option as you avoid expensive flights. Destinations like Center Parcs offer three, four and seven day breaks so you can choose the best option for you.
At Center Parcs you’ll find everything you could ever dream of to keep young kids busy. Not only are there acres of forest to explore and a lake to paddle in, but a heated swimming pool with rides, slides and water play, an outdoor playground and loads of fun indoor and outdoor activities, from archery to climbing.
If you’re staying at home, make the most of any local museums, parks and more as many tend to offer promotional deals over half term.
The summer holidays
The summer school holidays are often when life-long family memories are made. From beach holidays full of sun, sea and sand, to sunny picnics in the park and countless ice creams – with so many weeks to work with, it’s a great time to go away on a longer break to see family or friend in distant countries, or get to know what’s on nearer to home.
The Christmas break
Christmas is the most magical time of the year and there’s no shortage of activities and fun to keep kids occupied. Great seasonal activities include ice-skating, a visit to a Christmas market, a visit to Santa’s Grotto, sleigh rides and so much more. Even a simple walk around the centre of town looking at the lights is a delight for a young child.
With the short days and chilly weather, it’s also great to spend time indoors. Watching your favourite films, playing board games and baking festive treats are all fun ways to pass the time and keep little minds and hands busy.
Because of my husband’s holiday restrictions with work, we tend to go away during the February and October half terms. They work perfectly with finding winter sun, or exploring the UK when it is quieter, plus it is cheaper to travel than the sunnier months.
When do you like to go away with the family?
Elaine Betteridge
My favourite is the October half term, we love all the Halloween events locally!
Liam Wilkinson
We try to arrange most of our stuff on school breaks, they can be hectic but fun, even the February one is still busy though its cold and half of the things out there are closed, we attend local things instead.
Talya
Cant wait for the Easter holidays. Just hope we are lucky with the weather!
Anosa
Easter is when we love going away and sometimes summer holidays too but not sure how this will work this year with the virus.
Sarah Stockley
We often do a festival break in May and also one at the end of August. I love the school holidays, I really enjoy having the lack of routine for a small amount of time.
Sabina Green
We went away after Christmas last year to Cornwall and it was a great time to have a break away with the kids. I also try and get away during the summer holidays – just camping or something similar.
Sarupa Shah
To be honest I would go away anytime but always love a winter break in the sun as the winters in the UK can be long and long and cold, like this year. And breaking up the winter with a quick sun holiday makes such a fun time!
Sarah Howe
We definitely get away in the summer months but usually before the school holidays (eek yes I’m one of those parents!) I usually prefer Christmas at home x
Roger Willis
I love getting together as a family for Easter. Our grand kids will be on Spring Break soon, I think around Easter.
MELANIE EDJOURIAN
We love the summer holidays with the warmer weather. We often go away then with the family. We’re hopefuly going somewhere warm this year and we can’t wait.
Yeah Lifestyle
We usually tend to travel during the July/August holidays as we tend to travel long distance, but we wont be going overseas this year. Will try to do some short breaks at Easter and May holidays if we are able to
Sarah | Boo Roo and Tigger Too
Hard to say which is our favourite school holiday, possibly Easter as the days are just getting warmer so we are able to explore more without too many layers and before it gets to hot in the later months
Claire
So many exciting holidays to look forward to.
We have Easter and October sorted and lots of lovely days out already booked. Very exciting x
Rhian Westbury
Easter is such a nice time of the year as you get the summer sunshine without it being so warm x
Jenni
The Summer Holidays are my least favourite, just because they are so long. It’s hard to bridge so much time in one go, and the kids start missing their friends half way through. I’m not against a longer block completely, but I think 4 weeks would be plenty and I’d rather have some longer holidays in Autumn instead as that’s our favourite time to travel.
Anosa
We haven’t been away for a long time but my favourite time of year to go anywhere is Christmas, everywhere looks and feels so cosy and beautiful and generally everyone is nicer and in a good mood.
Laura
We are really looking forward to the upcoming Easter break as our puppy who arrives on 20th March will be able to start going out for short walks <3
Leila
Looks like so much fun. Can’t wait for Easter holidays, hope weather will be good.
Valerie
My favorite time to go away if we can go away is during the fall, early November because it’s nice and cool. We do enjoy Easter but I prefer not to travel during holiday seasons.
Jade Braham
Easter is my favourite time to have a staycation, I like to explore England and Wales more. But summer time is my favourite time to travel and explore the world.
Tash
Summer has got our number one spot around here! And maybe then Christmas. I always um and ahh about whether I am excited about holidays or not because they can be crazy huh!