17 Holiday Routine Ideas for Kids

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Quick answer: 17 Holiday Routine Ideas for Kids. This guide gives 17 ideas in 4 sections: Plan the day; Chores and independence; Keep the rhythm; Bedtime and wind-down. Budget: Under £15 for charts and supplies. Best for: Ages 3 to 12, flexible and kind.

Written by the PinkDux Team. Last updated October 2026.

• Time: 20 minutes to plan
• Budget: Under £15 for charts and supplies
• Best for: Ages 3 to 12, flexible and kind

By day three of the holidays, the dressing gown has become a uniform, breakfast has merged into lunch, and nobody knows what day it is. A light routine does not mean a school timetable: it is just a few anchors to hang the day on.

Here are ideas for a gentle structure that suits your family, with visual charts for younger children and shared planning for older ones. Aim for a rhythm, not a rulebook.

Top tip: Pick three anchors only: a wake up time, a mid morning activity and a quiet hour after lunch. Everything else can flex, and three is small enough to survive a very bad day.

Plan the day

Visual plans calm busy minds.

• Picture schedule: Use pictures for breakfast, play and outdoors, and stick them in order on a board. Young children love moving a picture to done. You will need: picture schedule cards, magnetic board.
• Weekly planner: Write a plan on a whiteboard each Sunday with one outing and one treat. Children enjoy ticking things off. You will need: weekly planner, dry wipe pens.
• Morning anchor: Same breakfast time, dressed and teeth cleaned before any screens. Kids know what to expect. You will need: kids clock.
• Time blocks: Use morning, afternoon and evening blocks. Fill each with one choice from a list rather than a fixed task. You will need: sand timer.
• Rainy day card: A card in the plan marked “rain” with a few indoor ideas. Saves arguments on wet mornings. You will need: index cards.

Chores and independence

Small jobs that build responsibility.

• Chore chart: A chart with three small jobs, such as laying the table and feeding the pet, builds confidence. Tick off each one. You will need: chore chart.
• Star jar: Add a pom pom for each job and celebrate when the jar is full. A choice of film or park trip works as a reward. You will need: pom poms, glass jar.
• Pack your own bag: Kids pack their own bag for days out with a drink and a snack. Check it together at the door. You will need: kids backpack.
• Tidy up song: Pick a song and tidy until it ends. Add dancing for extra fun.
• Cook a meal: Let each child plan one family meal a week. Supervise knives and hot pans. You will need: kids recipe book.

Keep the rhythm

Mix busy and calm moments.

• Quiet hour: An hour after lunch for reading, drawing or listening to stories. Everyone has some downtime. You will need: audio player, colouring pad.
• Outdoors every day: Even a short walk counts. Fresh air helps everyone sleep better and lifts the mood. You will need: wellies.
• Screen time agreement: Agree a limit with the children and use a sand timer. A shared rule feels fairer than a surprise one.
• Treat day: One day a week for a special activity, chosen in turn by each family member. Gives everyone something to look forward to.

Bedtime and wind-down

Protect the evening.

• Bedtime stays similar: Allow a small shift later, but keep the same bath, book, bed pattern. Consistent evenings help school mornings return smoothly. You will need: bedtime stories.
• Gratitude jar: Write one good thing from the day on paper and add it to a jar. Read them all on the last day. You will need: paper strips.
• Back to school warm up: A week before term, move bedtime earlier by fifteen minutes each night. Gentle and effective. You will need: sleep mask.

Helpful links and further reading

A few trusted places to find out more.

• National Trust: Find gardens, parks and historic places for a day out.
• English Heritage: places to visit: Castles, abbeys and gardens with family events through the year.
• Forestry England: Forest walks, trails and family activities across England.

Frequently asked questions

Should holidays have a strict timetable?

No. A loose rhythm with a few fixed points is usually enough. Flexibility makes holidays feel like holidays.

What if my children resist routine?

Involve them in making the plan and let them choose some activities. Children are more likely to follow a plan they helped build.

How do I handle a bad day?

Throw the plan away, go outside, and try again tomorrow. Routines are tools, not tests.

More ideas you might like

• Back to School Countdown Ideas
• 50 Ways to Keep Kids Busy in the School Holidays
• Screen Free Activities for Kids