Expert Shares Five Simple Ways to Support Children’s Mental Wellbeing this Summer

With the summer holidays reaching the halfway point, parents may feel they’ve exhausted every option when it comes to keeping their children entertained and happy.

While the six-week break can give children valuable time to rest, play and explore, a change in routine can also feel overwhelming. For parents and caregivers, the holidays can also bring additional pressures, such as juggling work and childcare, as well as the rising cost of keeping children entertained.

Here, Creative Health Practitioner and Mental Health Ambassador for The Principle Trust Children’s Charity, Yasmin Shaheen-Zaffar, shares five simple tips to support children’s mental health this summer, without relying on expensive days out or a packed schedule!

Add Experiences That Naturally Balance Screen Time

Balancing screen time can be difficult during the summer holidays. Rather than focusing solely on reducing screen time, add activities that naturally compete with it. When children are engaged in meaningful experiences, screens become just one part of their day, rather than the centre of it.

Protect Time for Rest and Quiet

The excitement of the summer holidays can also feel overwhelming. Without the structure of school, some children - particularly those who are neurodivergent or sensitive to change - may need extra opportunities to slow down. Quiet moments to read, daydream or simply do nothing are just as important as busy days out. Rest is an essential part of emotional well-being.

Redefine Creativity

Creativity is about curiosity, imagination and exploration. Children can bake with ingredients already in the cupboard and invent their own recipe, build a sensory den, make up a story, create music, or simply scribble their thoughts. It's the creative process - not the finished product - that supports emotional well-being.

Get Outdoors and Move with Purpose

Nature and movement are powerful for both physical and mental well-being. A simple walk can become an adventure when you add a theme: spot different birds, notice colours, discover interesting textures, or listen for new sounds. These activities encourage curiosity, mindfulness and connection, and they don't have to cost anything.

Make Time for Connection

Children don't need perfect parents - they need moments of genuine connection. While finding time isn't always easy, even a few uninterrupted minutes together can make a real difference. Whether it's cooking a meal, playing a game, or creating something together, these everyday moments help children feel safe, seen and valued - creating the foundation for positive mental wellbeing.