Spring Break Sleep Tips for Kids:
Staying Well-Rested and Happy While Traveling
By Katie Giguere, Sleep Squad Consultant
Let’s dive into a topic that’s on many of our minds as spring break approaches: ensuring your little ones maintain healthy sleep habits, even when your usual routines take a backseat to travel and adventure.
With spring break, you might be off of your normal schedule, especially if you are traveling — and that is totally okay.
Don’t let that stress you out or get in the way of having fun with your family! With my tips below, you’ll be ready to navigate these changes and ensure that your spring break is memorable for all the right reasons.
Embrace Flexibility Without Sacrificing Sleep
First off, it's absolutely fine if your schedule shifts during spring break. Actually, it’s expected! Whether you’re exploring new places or simply enjoying a break from the norm, flexibility is key.
Little ones are pretty resilient with schedule changes. However, veering too far from their normal sleep schedule can lead to cranky mornings and challenging nights. A bedtime extension of 30 to 60 minutes? Perfectly okay for those special moments. Remember to be flexible and try not to over-plan your days.
Avoid the Over-Scheduling Trap
In our eagerness to make the most out of every moment, it’s tempting to pack our days with back-to-back activities. But over-scheduling can lead to overtiredness, which presents itself as hyperactivity at bedtime. Your kiddos may be running around like crazy when they should be winding down to sleep.
If you’re seeing this behavior, your child is probably overtired.
Overtiredness also manifests as night wakings and early wake-ups the following morning. Balance is key here. Incorporating quiet time or rest periods into your day benefits not just your little ones, but you too. A little downtime can dramatically improve things for everyone involved.
Rest time for Big Kids:
With older kids (and this goes for parents, too!), try to incorporate rest time during the day for everybody. Just some quiet time to relax in between activities.
Rest time for babies:
If you foresee that napping is going to get in the way of other activities that you have planned, you can definitely do some contact naps. Napping on-the-go is your friend here. If you have a sling or a baby wrap, you can wear your baby for some of their naps. Don't feel like you're stuck at the hotel or the house for naps. This is temporary and will not hurt their sleep.
Bedtime Routines and Sleep Essentials
Transitioning from day to evening activities with a calming routine helps signal to your child that it’s time to wind down. Even if it’s a shortened version of your usual bedtime ritual, this will help prepare them for sleep.
Don’t forget to pack Your sleep essentials! Sound machines, blackout shades, special pjs and more help to recreate a sense of home, making unfamiliar environments more conducive to rest.
Sound machines are a small but mighty. They’re easily packable and help block out unfamiliar sounds you might hear in the middle of the night when you're staying somewhere that's not your house.
Blackout curtains or shades are great for helping kiddos sleep in a little longer in the mornings. If you don't have blackout covers, you also can get crafty and use black garbage bags or tin foil to put up on the windows. It’s worth it!
Bring an assortment of different style pajamas for your child to figure out what's most comfortable for them. Just because your child has pajamas that work for them at home, they might not be suitable for wherever you're staying. For example, if your child is used to wearing fleece pajamas because you live in a cold climate, these may not be the best pajamas when traveling or staying somewhere warmer.
For babies, be sure to bring along their sleep sack if they sleep in one every night. This will bring familiar comfort to them.
For older children, a beloved stuffed animal or blanket can offer a sense of security in a new place. If your child cuddles with a favorite lovey at home, bring it along to help them make them more comfortable. Mimicking their home sleeping environment as closely as possible supports better sleep, even when you’re miles away from home.
Bouncing Back After the Break
Upon returning from your travels, it’s crucial to get back on track and reestablish routine. It might take a bit of persistence, but resuming your regular schedule reinforces normalcy and stability. If the adventure has left everyone a tad more exhausted, a slight sleep-in the next day can aid in recovery, just try to keep it to no more than an hour.
We Are Here to Help!
Spring break is a fantastic opportunity for family fun and creating lasting memories. By embracing a bit of flexibility, while still respecting the importance of sleep, you can ensure everyone enjoys the break without the post-holiday sleep struggles. Here’s to a spring break filled with adventure, rest, and lots of unforgettable moments!
I hope these tips help you navigate the exciting, yet sometimes challenging, waters of holiday sleep routines and I hope everybody has a wonderful spring break!
If you’re planning any upcoming travel and could use personalized guidance to prepare, our expert sleep consultants are here to help. Schedule a 15-minute complimentary discovery call with me or another member of the Kelly Murray Sleep Squad.
All team members have completed training with Kelly and have learned the Murray Method. Kelly continues to support, guide and oversee the Sleep Squad as they work with the families who trust in us. This way, all clients are able to experience the same amazing results (and lots and lots of sleep).
Sweet Dreams…
Kelly Murray is a certified sleep coach and an award-winning pediatric sleep consultant based in Chicago offering sleep coaching services nationwide.
