Simple tips for a stress-free & happy half term

Parents can often panic when it comes to school holidays or when planning trips away with the whole family, wanting to make sure the children are enjoying themselves.

As May half term is quickly approaching, we have listed a few tips to help minimise stressful situations during this period, and during other upcoming school holidays this year. Whether you are travelling with kids or planning to stay at home, we hope you find something here that could make things just that little bit easier, resulting in a happy half term!

Plan some half term activities

Children love plans. Whether it’s the knowledge that they will be seeing granny on Wednesday or knowing that they are visiting the skate park on Friday, a little planning can do wonders in making everyone feel comfortable with the arrangements for Half Term.
 

If you are staying at home for the week, plan a few activities to do at home that will get the kids excited – whether it’s den building or creating a new scarecrow in the garden, it will be something they can look forward to and tell their friends. A few days out could be fun too. There are always lots of fun events during the school holidays, so do some research and book your half term activities early to avoid disappointment. Book train tickets in advance too to ensure you get the times, seats and prices you require for all the family. Remember, a Family Railcard is most useful if you are planning to make a few journeys together. You’ll get a 1/3 off for up to 4 adults, and 60% off for up to four children, so it’s definitely worth considering! 

Things to do at half term in the UK:

• Take the children to see animals (options include Twycross Zoo, Chester Zoo, London Zoo, Piglets Adventure Farm, York & Cannon Hall Farm)
• Spend a day at a theme park (Flamingo Land, Alton Towers, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Legoland)
• Go to a nature trail (Dalby Forest, Sutton Bank National Park, The Yorkshire Arboretum, Herrington Country Park)
• Take the children to an exciting experience (Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour, The Paddington Bear Experience, Go Ape, Centre Parcs)
• Spend a day at the seaside  (Seaham, Seaburn, Hartlepool,Scarborough)
• Go swimming (Doncaster Dome, Barnsley Metrodome, North Yorkshire Water Park, Sunderland Aquatic Centre) 
   

…but don’t plan too much

School holidays are, after all, an opportunity for kids to get some much-needed rest and relaxation outside the classroom environment. Therefore, although you may be keen to organise a jam-packed schedule of half term activities to do to keep them entertained, sometimes a chilled morning at home in pyjamas is just what they need.
 

Try to keep early mornings to a minimum during the holidays – after all you have enough of them during term time when you are all rushing to get out of the door. Keep things relaxed until after lunch, and the kids are likely to be more rested and less likely to throw a tantrum out of tiredness.

You don’t have to spend lots

Half Term doesn’t have to be expensive. There are literally hundreds of free activities you can take part in. Walks in the forest, trips to feed the ducks, entry into free museums and bike rides around the coast are all exciting things to do, that don’t necessarily have a price tag attached to them.
 

If you are planning a day out to an attraction or theme park, be sure to take your own packed lunches – that way you can ensure your children will be eating something healthy that they like, and also it won’t cost you a fortune in fast food and bottled drinks.

Discover some of the best free half term activites in the UK:

• Visit free museums (Natural History Museum, Science Museum, British Museum, Imperial War Museum, The Royal Armouries)
• Go for nice walks (Moorlands Nature Reserve, York, Roundhay Park, Leeds, Pugneys Country Park, Wakefield, Mowbary Park, Sunderland, Richmond Park, London)
• Explore National Trust Gardens, which offer free entry for members (Wentworth Castle Gardens, Beninborough Hall & Gardens, Washington Old Hall & Formal Gardens)
• Visit your local library (libraries tend to offer free activities for children during the school holidays, including arts & crafts sessions and designated storytimes) 

Set rules and challenges

Rules are a part of life, and they generally make things run more smoothly and with less stress. When it comes to half term, set clear rules for jobs, behaviour and screen-time allowance. You don’t want your child glued to their iPad for the whole holiday, so set daily limit and a time when screen time is totally banned e.g. during meals and when you have guests visiting. By setting expectations early, you can avoid any push-back from kids later on.

For younger kids, star charts can be a helpful tool to encourage good behaviour and helping out with household jobs. You can reward your kids with stars or stickers when they help out with siblings or do something  kind, but equally rewards can also be removed at times when their behaviour is not acceptable. Make sure the final reward is something they really love, like a trip to the Railway Museum or a favourite sweet-treat, and it will hopefully motivate some top-notch holiday behaviour this half term!

On track for a happy half term with Grand Central 

You should now be well on track to a happy half term! If you’ve been inspired by the half term activities we’ve recommended, and you’re planning on travelling by train, be sure to explore our tips for travelling with children to ensure your half term journey is as stress-free as possible. And if you’re planning to take your older children out for the day, and they're at college or university, be sure to take advantage of our student discount! Book your half term tickets with us today, quickly and easily through our handy journey planner or the mobile app.