If the Easter holidays have gone by in a blur of holiday camps, screen time, snacks, and half-finished craft projects, you’re definitely not alone. As this final long weekend rolls around, many of us are quietly wondering: how do I pull my family back together before the school routine kicks in again?
Even with the best intentions, school holidays often don’t go quite as planned. That dreamy vision of picnics in the park and fresh air-filled adventures can quickly shift into slow mornings in front of the TV – especially when the weather turns. And for those of us working through the break, school holidays don’t always mean time off. Juggling deadlines, commitments, and excited kids isn’t easy, no matter how organised we try to be.
Here’s the good news – it doesn’t take a full digital detox or a perfect parenting plan. You can still enjoy the last few days of the holidays while gently putting some boundaries back in place. Sometimes, just a few small shifts are enough to help everyone feel more connected and back on the same team.
Whether you’re in the countryside like us or tucked into a city flat, here are seven screen-free ways to reset and reconnect with your kids this weekend:
1. Enjoy a morning off screens
If the school holidays have ended up a little screen-heavy (no judgment here!), try starting with just one morning screen-free – no phones, no tablets, no TV. Begin the day slowly and together: let the kids help with breakfast, read a book, draw, or play without the background noise. If you’re used to having the TV on as a constant hum, it might feel strange at first – but by mid-morning, you’ll often notice calmer energy, more imagination, and better moods all around.
2. Head outside without a plan
Go for a wander – no agenda, no time pressure. Let the kids take the lead, whether it’s down a new path, into the woods, or just around the block with magnifying glasses in hand. Collect leaves, spot bugs, make up stories as you go. Nature has a quiet way of bringing us back to each other – and to ourselves.
3. Build a den
Throw some blankets over the sofa, pile up the duvets, add a string of fairy lights, and you’ve got an instant cozy den. Pop some popcorn, read books, tell stories by torchlight. It’s one of the simplest activities, but often the one your children will remember for years to come. This kind of low-key magic is exactly what’s needed to reconnect before the rhythm of school life returns.
4. Make something (mess welcome!)
Paint rocks, bake something simple, or mix up a batch of “spring potions” with petals and water. It doesn’t need to be perfect or polished – it just needs to be shared. Let the kids take the lead, follow their ideas, and try saying yes more than no. Creative mess is often where the best moments happen.
5. Start a simple ritual
Choose something small but meaningful: a weekly family walk, a one-line journal at dinner, or a bedtime question like, “What made you smile today?” These kinds of rituals create anchor points in the week – especially valuable when everything else feels busy or scattered.
6. Do nothing (on purpose)
Let go of the need to entertain or fill every moment. Sit in the garden. Watch the clouds. Snuggle in silence. Sometimes, we connect most when we stop trying so hard. I’ve found my own children are often more creative in those slower, unstructured moments. Long, lazy days in the garden lead to imaginative play, more spontaneity, and less searching for external stimulation – just joy in the simple things.
7. Talk honestly
If it feels like screens have taken over, name it – gently and without shame. Try something like: “I’ve noticed we’ve all been on screens a lot, and I really miss spending time with you.” Kids tend to respond better to honesty than to lectures. And let’s be real – more often than not, it’s us parents who reach for our phones or suggest screen time when we feel overstretched or just don’t have the energy to entertain. Naming it without blame opens the door for reconnection.
Final thought
There’s no such thing as a perfect Easter break – we’re all just doing our best. But when we press pause, even for half a day, we give ourselves and our children space to breathe, reconnect, and reset. It’s in those slow mornings, muddy walks, and quiet moments that we often rediscover what matters most.
Here’s to small resets, soft reentries, and a little more togetherness – whatever the weekend looks like for you.