Top ways for children to unwind on holiday

We can all agree that the demands of everyday life are sometimes overwhelming. Hurried school or nursery runs, work emails 24/7, and battles over screen time do tend to take over. Enjoying quality family time can be a challenge and we all lose sight of the simple pleasures in life. But if you’re reading this, you either have a holiday booked or you are planning to go on one soon!

So, we’ve put together some easy ways that you and your family can achieve some much-needed relaxation on your break, whether you find yourself on a Feather Down Farm or elsewhere.

1. Enjoy bedtime stories together

The benefits of bedtime reading are well documented, from increasing the parent/carer-child bond to helping establish a routine and unwinding busy minds before bed. It’s the perfect opportunity to discuss the events of the day, encourage children to discuss how they’re feeling, and instil a lifelong love of books. The National Literacy Trust found in their Annual Literacy Survey 2021 that 1 in 2 children in the UK read to relax and that 2 in 5 children (nearly 45%) find that reading makes them feel better. So, wherever you’re heading for your holiday, make sure you bring a collection of stories to enjoy together at bedtime.

2. Play outdoors

The simple pleasure of being free to play outdoors provides children with endless scope for imaginative games and often helps them to feel happier and calmer. Wide-open spaces – like we have at our Feather Down Farms – offer children the perfect setting to let their imagination run wild whether that’s building a den, climbing a tree, playing hide and seek, or just skimming stones across the water. Soaking up the vitamin D that being outdoors naturally provides also helps to boost moods and encourages a positive mindset. Plus, racing around in the fresh air can’t be beaten for burning up excess energy and makes for a better night's sleep too!

3. Learn about nature

Reading is a fantastic way for children to experience and learn about new things before they encounter them in real life. Books can introduce them to things outside their comfort zone – for those who live in big cities that might be different animals and plants that can be found in nature. But children can’t keep their noses buried in a book all the time! So, take them out to explore the surroundings and try to spot some of the different creatures, flowers, or plants they’ve read about in real life. On Feather Down Farms, you’ll always be met with a beautiful rural setting to explore together.

4. Encourage screen free adventures

We’re all guilty of spending too much time on our phones or tablets with relentless scrolling becoming a daily habit. And parents will know that it can be even harder to get kids to step away from their screens. So, make a pact that the whole family either leaves their black mirrors at home or locked away once you’re at your holiday destination to ensure you can all have a digital detox. There’s no Wi-Fi or electricity for guests on a Feather Down Farm and although that sounds scary for some, it doesn’t take long before everyone switches off and enjoys some good old-fashioned fun. Gather around and tell stories to each other, play some board games or read a book.

5. Listen to audiobooks on your journey

Audiobooks are a great option when travelling to and from your destination and are a good way to ease everyone into that screen purge. They’re perfect for rounding off your break together after all that fresh air and fun and will keep the whole family entertained. Why not take turns choosing one to listen to? Audiobooks are also a great alternative for parents who might not be as confident reading out loud.

If you’re looking for a holiday in the UK, head to a Feather Down Farm

There’s nothing like a trip away as a family to switch off and reconnect, away from the stresses of everyday life. An escape to a Feather Down Farm takes this one step further. With over 30 UK farms to choose from, experience a world without electricity or Wi-Fi, where adventures are real, rather than on a screen and there is plenty of time for everyone. All the canvas hideaways have wooden floorboards, cosy beds, and wood stoves as well as a fun cupboard bed for the kids to sleep in. The luxury is in the simplicity of it all.