Why Some Kids Are More Anxious During Summer Break

Summer anxiety can surprise parents. Isn’t summer supposed to feel easy, fun, and relaxed?

For some children, this season can actually bring up more worry, not less. Many parents see big, anxious feelings show up during summer break, even when nothing “bad” is happening. 

Changes in routine, new environments, camp schedules, traveling plans, and less structure can all make kids feel more unsettled. This is common and there are ways to help them feel more calm.

Key takeaways

• Summer anxiety in kids often comes from changes in routine
• Some children feel more anxious during unstructured time
• Simple schedules, reassurance, and predictability can reduce stress

Why summer anxiety happens

Even positive events, like vacations or camps, can feel overwhelming for some children. 

Common reasons for summer time anxiety in kids:

• Less predictable daily routines
• New camps or childcare settings
• Separation from teachers or friends
• Travel or unfamiliar places
• More unstructured time
• Changes in sleep schedules

Anxiety is not always about fear. It is often about feeling unsure of what will happen next.

Signs of anxiety parents might miss

Anxiety can show through a kid's behavior, but may not be easy to identify at first.

Common signs include:

• Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
• More meltdowns over small changes
• Clinginess with parents
• Complaints of stomachaches or headaches
• Refusing camp or activities
• Irritability or emotional outbursts
• Saying “I’m bored” very often but not engaging in play

If your child is showing these signs, they are not being difficult. They may be feeling overwhelmed.

Why some kids feel more anxious than others

Not every child reacts the same way to summer break.

Kids who may be more sensitive to summer anxiety include, those who:

• like predictable routines
• have strong emotional sensitivity
• struggle with transitions
• are shy in new environments
• already experience anxiety during the school year

For these kids, structure is calming. When there’s less of it, there’s more room for anxiety.

How to support these kiddos 

Prepare them for changes

Preparation is key. When kids feel prepared, they feel more in control of what comes next.

Try saying:

• “Tomorrow we are going to camp. Here is what will happen.”
• “We will leave after breakfast and come home after lunch.”
• “You will meet new kids, and that can feel a little weird at first.”

Give them small choices

Anxiety often increases when kids feel like they have no control. Choices can give them more control of their day.

Offer simple ones like:

• “Do you want to wear the blue shirt or the green shirt?”
• “Do you want to go to the park before or after snack?”
• “Do you want to read, draw or stretch before bed?”

Name what’s happening 

Words matter. Kids often feel better when their parents say what is going on in a calm way.

Say statements like:

• “It seems like new places feel a little hard for you right now.”
• “It is okay to feel nervous about camp.”
• “We can figure this out together.”
• “Let’s talk about what part feels the hardest.”

Try to avoid saying things like “you are fine” or “there is nothing to worry about.” Even if well meant, this can make kids feel misunderstood.

Calm their bodies

Anxiety lives in the body too, not just in the mind. Helping kids calm their bodies can reduce stress.

Try:

• Deep breathing together, in for 4 and out for 4
• Holding and squeezing something comforting, like a stuffed animal
• Taking a short walk and stretching outside

When to get extra support

It’s okay if your child could use a little extra support to manage their anxiety. Getting support early can give them the skills they need to understand and manage it better as they grow.

You may consider this if they:

• Avoid daily activities for long periods
• Have strong physical complaints like stomachaches often
• Refuse camp or leaving the house
• Seem worried most of the day
• Have on-going sleep issues that do not improve

The bottom line

Anxiety tends to hit when normal routines change. Added structure and emotional support go a long way in helping kids feel less anxious.

Kids tend to feel better when they are:

• Prepared for changes
• Given choices each day
• Reassured by caregivers
• Shown tools to regulate