When the Routine Shifts, So Does the Child
There is often a quiet shift that happens when school holidays begin. Routines soften. Mornings slow down. Bedtimes stretch a little later. There is more space - but also, sometimes, more dysregulation.
Parents often notice it quickly. More meltdowns. More big emotions. More resistance. And it can feel confusing because holidays are meant to be a break. But from a child’s perspective, holidays are not just rest. They are a change in structure. And even positive change requires adjustment.
Children rely on rhythm and predictability to feel safe in their bodies. The school term holds this in place through consistent transitions and daily flow. When that structure shifts, children can feel a little untethered — and this often shows up in their behaviour.
This is where regulation becomes important.
Regulation is not about controlling behaviour. It is about helping a child feel steady enough to move through their experiences. During holidays, children often need co-regulation before they can find that steadiness on their own.
This is why you might notice more sensory seeking during this time. More movement. More noise. More “busy” behaviour. Children are trying to organise themselves.
Using Play as an Anchor During the Holidays
This is where intentional, sensory-based play becomes incredibly supportive.
Hands-on experiences — pouring, mixing, experimenting, repeating — help bring a sense of calm back into the body. They give children something predictable within the openness of the day.
I often notice how children settle into a rhythm in these moments. Stirring again and again. Watching closely. Returning to the same experiment. That repetition is not random, it supports both emotional regulation and understanding.
Holidays also offer something deeply valuable: space for child-led exploration. Without pressure or time constraints, children can follow their curiosity and move at their own pace.
This is exactly why we created The Messy Lab Box — not just as an activity, but as a support tool for these in-between moments.
When the day feels long or slightly unstructured, having something familiar and sensory-rich can offer an anchor. A space where your child can explore freely, while also regulating their body through texture, movement and repetition.
It doesn’t need to be complicated. It doesn’t need to be perfect.
What matters is creating small moments in the day where your child can come back into themselves — through play, through exploration, through being allowed to just be.
Holidays are not about children being “on their best behaviour.” They are about integration. Processing. Resetting.
And when we understand that, we can begin to support it — gently, intentionally, and in ways that feel good for both parent and child.
Jen | Co Founder