For many families, the school holidays are a chance to relax, explore new places and spend quality time together. However, for parents and carers of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), the break from routine can also bring additional challenges.
Changes to structure, unfamiliar environments and increased social situations may leave some children feeling anxious, overwhelmed or unsettled.
The good news is that with a little planning, flexibility and the right support, the school holidays can become a valuable opportunity for connection, confidence-building and meaningful learning through play.
Here are some practical ways to support children with SEND during the school holidays, while encouraging emotional wellbeing, independence and fun along the way.
Why School Holidays Can Be Challenging for Children with SEND
Many children with SEND thrive on routine, familiarity and predictability. During term time, school provides a clear structure to the day, with consistent expectations, environments and activities. When the holidays arrive, that structure often changes overnight.
For some children, this can lead to:
- Anxiety around uncertainty
- Sensory overload from busy environments
- Difficulty transitioning between activities
- Emotional dysregulation
- Challenges with communication and social interaction
Understanding these potential triggers can help families prepare supportive strategies that reduce stress and create more positive holiday experiences.
Keep Familiar Routines Where Possible
While the school holidays do not need to follow a strict timetable, maintaining some familiar routines can help children feel safe and secure.
Simple daily rhythms can make a significant difference, including:
- Consistent wake-up and bedtime schedules
- Regular mealtimes
- Planned quiet or sensory breaks
- Predictable morning and evening routines
- Clear expectations for the day ahead
Visual schedules and timetables are particularly useful for many children with SEND. Using symbols, photographs or simple drawings can help children understand what is happening throughout the day and support greater independence.
Countdown timers and “now and next” boards can also help reduce anxiety around transitions and changes in activity.
Prepare for Changes and New Experiences in Advance
Trips, family gatherings, holidays and special activities can be exciting, but they may also feel overwhelming for children who struggle with unfamiliar situations.
Preparing children ahead of time can help build confidence and reduce uncertainty. You could try:
- Talking through plans in advance
- Looking at photos or videos of places you will visit
- Explaining what they may see, hear or do
- Discussing travel arrangements and timings
- Practising routines beforehand
Social stories can be especially effective for helping children understand expectations and feel more comfortable with upcoming experiences. These simple stories break situations down into manageable steps and can help children process unfamiliar events more confidently.
If possible, allow extra time during outings so children do not feel rushed or pressured.
Balance Activities with Downtime
The school holidays can quickly become overstimulating, especially when days are filled with travel, social events, loud environments and busy schedules.
Children with sensory processing differences often need opportunities to regulate, rest and recharge throughout the day. Creating calm moments between activities can help prevent sensory overload and emotional exhaustion.
Some calming and sensory-friendly activities include:
- Sensory trays and tactile play
- Water play
- Dens and tent building
- Drawing and crafts
- Listening to calming music
- Yoga or mindfulness activities
- Outdoor movement breaks
Having a quiet, safe space at home where children can retreat when needed can also be incredibly beneficial. This might include soft furnishings, calming lighting, sensory toys or noise-reducing headphones.
It is important to remember that rest is productive too. Many children with SEND need more downtime than adults may expect, particularly after stimulating activities.
Follow Your Child’s Interests
One of the most effective ways to encourage engagement, communication and confidence is through interest-led play.
Whether your child enjoys dinosaurs, trains, animals, construction, role play, art or messy play, using their interests as the starting point for activities can make learning feel enjoyable and pressure-free.
Interest-based activities can support:
- Communication and language development
- Social interaction
- Emotional wellbeing
- Creativity and imagination
- Problem-solving skills
- Self-confidence
Most importantly, allowing children to explore activities at their own pace helps create positive learning experiences without unnecessary stress or demands.
Make Learning Part of Everyday Activities
Learning during the holidays does not need to look like schoolwork. In fact, many everyday experiences naturally support important developmental skills in fun and meaningful ways.
Simple activities can help children build communication, fine motor skills, independence and confidence without formal learning sessions.
You could try:
- Baking together
- Gardening and planting
- Outdoor scavenger hunts
- Sorting and organising games
- Role play activities
- Building and construction tasks
- Water and sensory play
- Simple cooking activities
- Nature walks and outdoor exploration
These experiences can also encourage turn-taking, listening, following instructions and teamwork in a relaxed environment.
Outdoor learning opportunities can be especially beneficial for children who regulate well through movement and sensory exploration.
Support Emotional Wellbeing During the Holidays
Changes to routine, sensory overload and communication challenges can sometimes lead to frustration, anxiety or emotional dysregulation.
Supporting emotional wellbeing throughout the holidays can help children feel understood, secure and emotionally resilient.
Helpful strategies include:
- Naming and validating emotions
- Using emotion cards or visual supports
- Creating calm-down spaces
- Modelling coping strategies
- Allowing extra processing time
- Encouraging sensory regulation activities
- Offering reassurance during transitions
Children often communicate emotions through behaviour, particularly if they struggle to express feelings verbally. Responding with patience, empathy and understanding can help children feel supported rather than overwhelmed.
Remember There Is No “Perfect” Holiday
Every family’s experience of supporting a child with SEND is different, and there is no single “right way” to approach the school holidays. Some days may go smoothly, while others feel more challenging – and that is completely normal.
Flexibility, patience and realistic expectations are often the most valuable tools parents and carers can bring. Even small moments of connection, calm and shared enjoyment can have a meaningful impact on a child’s wellbeing and confidence.
It is okay to slow down, simplify plans or change activities if needed.
Discover Resources to Support Children with SEND
SEND resources are designed to support sensory needs, emotional wellbeing, communication and independent play, helping families create enjoyable and meaningful experiences during the school holidays and beyond.
By combining structure, flexibility and child-led play, families can help children with SEND feel safe, confident and able to thrive throughout the summer break.
TTS’ range of SEND-supportive resources includes:
- Outdoor learning equipment
- Creative arts and crafts resources
- Role play and communication activities
- Inclusive learning materials
Explore our range of sensory and inclusive learning resources to help make the school holidays enjoyable, manageable and meaningful for the whole family.
