Summer is Here! What’s Helping ADHD Children During the Holidays.

As schools close for the year and the long days of summer begin, many families find this season brings both excitement and unique challenges, especially for children with ADHD. Changes in routine, unstructured time, and heightened emotions can make the holidays feel overwhelming at times.

Below, I’ll be sharing some practical ideas to help keep children calm, connected, and engaged throughout the summer break. I hope you find these suggestions useful and inspiring as you survive the holidays together. Wishing you all a relaxing summer!

What I’m Seeing in ADHD Children This Summer:

Over the past couple of weeks, many children have been navigating the ups and downs of unstructured time. Without the usual school routine, some are feeling adrift, struggling with emotional regulation, fighting with siblings, and an overreliance on screens to manage boredom. Some of my secondary school students (who initially welcomed the break) are finding the lack of structure is leaving them feeling unmotivated, dysregulated and sluggish.

In coaching, we’ve been working together to create a rhythm that helps them pace their energy and manage transitions more calmly. These are the recurring themes that have been showing up across all ages:

• Coping with boredom & changes to routine

• Managing screen time and big emotions

• Fighting with siblings

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How often does your child say "I'm Bored?"

How often does your child say "I'm bored?" If you’ve lost count already, you’re not alone. Boredom crops up fast during the holidays, especially when routines shift and stimulation drops. Many children I work with struggle to get past the initial “there’s nothing to do” moment, without kicking up a fuss. It’s so tempting (and totally understandable) to hand them a screen just to keep the peace and get a moment to yourself. And while screens have their place, boredom opens the door to creativity, and even emotional regulation, when we give kids just a little structure and inspiration to work with.

One of my favourite and most popular strategies for children I work with is the ‘Boredom Box’.

The Boredom Box!

This is a simple and creative way to turn those tricky ‘I’m bored’ moments into opportunities for fun and focus. It does require a little bit of preparation, but once it’s ready, it’s a fantastic tool for both kids and parents.

Take an old shoebox and turn it into a ready-to-go activity box filled with simple, engaging materials your child can dip into independently. The goal here is to spark momentum, not necessarily to fill the hours. It helps if you pre-fill the box with a few silly and unexpected ideas. This adds an element of surprise and makes it more exciting to dive into. Plus, if the box is already prepared, your child can get started right away without needing your help. Keep the ideas varied: some high-energy, some calm, and some more time-consuming. Some ideas that work: Make a flower necklace, create a set of sock puppets, rubber band ball, grow a beanstalk from seed, word bracelet, childhood photo collage, silver foil elephant, learn a tune on the harmonica, design your own deck of cards.

Summer Toolkit for Keeping Things Calm:

1. Create a ‘Best Moment’ Wall

Stick a blank piece of paper on the fridge and write one highlight from each day. It can be just a small thing: “We didn’t argue about shoes” or “You made your brother laugh.” These moments might seem insignificant, but they really help children notice their own progress, and strengths, even when the day's been a complete nightmare. Over time, the list becomes a visual reminder of the good things that happen every day, no matter how irrelevant or stressful it feels. It’s also a gentle way to end the day on a positive note and strengthen your child’s sense of self-worth. Let them take turns choosing the highlight or writing it, to foster a sense of ownership.

2. Toilet Roll Talk-Time

When big feelings bubble up, grab some toilet roll and turn it into a calming moment of connection. After each question, gently wrap one layer of toilet roll around your child, creating a light, playful mummy-style activity.

1. Start with: “How are you feeling right now?” Listen, then add a gentle wrap.

2. Next: “What might help, even just a little?” Another layer goes on.

3. Then: “What would you like to do once you’re feeling calmer?” Add a final wrap.

You can repeat the questions with new answers and keep wrapping until you’ve created a toilet roll cocoon. When you're both ready, you can enjoy tearing it off or spinning out of it together. It’s a novel way that cuts through the tension and helps your child feel heard.

3. ‘Backwards Day’ Reset Button

If the day’s going off the rails with arguments, refusals or tears,  then call for a ‘Backwards Day’ reset. Let your child:

• Wear pyjamas at lunchtime

• Walk backwards to the kitchen

• Eat dessert before dinner (just once!)

This breaks the tension with humour and resets the mood without punishment. Kids with ADHD often thrive when rules are flipped (safely).

4. ‘Theme Song’ Transitions

For each regular transition (e.g. getting dressed, brushing teeth, turning off the iPad) pick one of your child’s favourite theme tunes. Ask your child to select this beforehand;  maybe ‘Star Wars’ or ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ for getting shoes on or a calmer track for bedtime and winding down. When the song starts, they know what time it is, so no nagging needed.

5. ADHD Coping Spinner

Create a DIY cardboard spinner with several calming options. Some examples include: Take three deep breaths,  Blow a big bubble, squeeze a stress ball, ten star jumps, hide under your bed, burst a sheet of bubble wrap, run around the garden, Walk backwards to your bedroom, blow up a balloon, walk up the stairs balancing a book on your head, blow into drink using a straw. When big feelings arise, let them spin and choose a calming action, giving them agency in the moment.

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Remember, Preparation is Key!

The start of the summer holidays brings a much-needed break from your child’s everyday routine, but for many children with ADHD, the sudden lack of structure can feel unsettling. Taking time now to prepare a few light, playful supports will make a real difference. A bit of planning in advance helps children feel more secure and gives you a ready-made toolkit to draw on during those tricky moments. It not only helps the summer flow more smoothly, but it lays the groundwork for a calmer, more confident transition when school returns.

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Wishing you a summer of fun, connection, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting... Whether it’s time by the pool, mealtimes, or the everyday challenges , there are so many chances to help your child feel seen, heard, and understood. If you ever want to talk more about supporting your child, I’m always happy to chat. In the meantime, wishing you a peaceful summer ahead!