How to Keep Your Child’s Sleep Routine On Track During the Summer Holidays
The summer holidays are a welcome break from early alarms and the morning rush, but the relaxed pace can quickly disrupt children's sleep routines. Later sunsets, warmer bedrooms and busy days out all make it harder for little ones to wind down at their usual time. Here's how to keep bedtime steady through the break, even during the hotter nights.
Keep bedtime consistent
Children thrive on routine, so it helps to keep bedtime within roughly the same window as term time, even if it slips a little later over summer. A consistent wind-down routine does a lot of the work. A bath, a bedtime story and lights out all help signal to the body that sleep is coming. If bedtime does drift during a busy week, nudge it back gradually rather than all at once.
Block out light at night
Longer daylight hours are one of the biggest summer challenges. When it's still bright outside at bedtime, children often find it much harder to settle. Blackout blinds or lined curtains make a real difference, keeping the room dark enough to feel like night. It's a simple change that usually ends the classic "but it's not even dark yet" bedtime battle.
Keep the bedroom cool and comfortable
A hot, stuffy room makes falling asleep hard for anyone, especially children. Keep bedrooms cool by opening windows earlier in the day, closing blinds during the hottest hours and switching to lighter summer bedding. Breathable cotton sheets and a lighter duvet help little ones stay comfortable through the night without overheating. It's worth having a set of kids' bed linen ready for the warmer months.
Create a calm, child-friendly sleep space
The bedroom itself plays a big part in how easily a child settles. For younger children in particular, a low, accessible bed can make bedtime feel less daunting and encourage a sense of independence. Montessori beds sit low to the floor, so little ones can climb in and out safely on their own. That helps them feel secure and in control at bedtime. A sense of ownership over their own space can make a real difference when you're trying to hold a routine together through the holidays.
No screen time an hour before bed
It's tempting to let the tablet or TV run a little later over summer, but screens close to bedtime make it much harder for children to switch off. Try to turn devices off at least an hour before bed and swap them for quieter activities. Reading, colouring or a chat about the day all work well. Keeping the bedroom a screen-free zone helps it stay firmly linked with rest.
Keep mealtimes steady
Sleep and mealtimes are closely connected, so irregular eating over the holidays can knock bedtime off course. Keep dinner at a fairly steady time where you can, and go easy on sugary snacks or fizzy drinks in the evening, which can leave children wired when they should be winding down. A calm, unhurried evening meal sets the tone for a calm bedtime.
Ease back into the school routine early
The hardest part of the holidays is often the last week, when a relaxed routine suddenly has to become school-ready again. Rather than one big overnight shift, start moving bedtime and wake-up time earlier in small steps, around a week or two before term begins. Sorting the sleep environment early helps too. If an older child is moving up to a new bed or sharing with a sibling in bunk beds, give them time to settle in before the first day back.
Finding the right balance
The summer holidays are about balance. A few late nights and slow mornings are part of what makes them feel special. Keeping the core routine and a calm sleep space in place means children still get the rest they need, and it makes the return to school far smoother for everyone.
Ready to set up a calmer bedroom for the holidays? Explore the full range of children's beds to find the right fit for your little one.