As the coldness of winter slowly gives way to the warmth of spring, the world around us begins to change. Days grow longer, temperatures rise, and flowers start to bloom. However, this transition can sometimes feel a little overwhelming.
For families, spring can be a busy period, with new sights, sounds, and expectations disrupting everyday routines, which some children may find tricky to manage. But with the right support and guidance, parents can help their kids feel confident, calm, and ready to enjoy all that the season has to offer.
In this blog, we’ll share some simple tips and strategies to make the move from winter hibernation to spring renewal a smooth and enjoyable experience for the whole family!
How do seasonal changes impact our wellbeing?
Before we dive into tips, let’s explore the science behind how seasonal changes impact our minds and bodies. Shifts in daylight, temperature, and other environmental factors can all affect our energy, mood, and daily habits. Understanding how and why this happens ensures everyone is better prepared for the seasonal transition ahead.
Regulates mood
Daylight plays a big role in regulating our mood, helping to control our body’s internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm. During the winter months, we receive less daylight, which lowers our serotonin levels. This leaves us feeling tired, irritable, or unmotivated. In spring, it’s the exact opposite! We feel energetic, cheerful and optimistic because the days are longer and brighter, increasing our serotonin levels instead.
Disrupts sleep and rest patterns
When it’s dark outside, our body produces more melatonin to signal it’s time to sleep. Longer evenings and shorter days in winter make us feel sluggish and tired. As a result, children may fall asleep earlier or struggle to wake up in the morning. On the other hand, the longer daylight hours in spring can make it not only harder for kids to settle at bedtime but also more alert and ready to get out of bed in the morning.
Vitamin D levels
In the UK, children (and adults) often get less sunlight during the colder, darker months, which can significantly reduce vitamin D production. This is essential for strong bones and teeth, as it helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D also plays a crucial role in immune function, helping the body fight infections and reduce inflammation. Hence, getting out in the fresh air and sunshine helps the body to restore vitamin D levels naturally — another reason why we feel much more energetic in spring!
Focus and memory
Seasonal changes can impact attention and learning. The dark days of winter can make us feel lethargic and sleepier, making it harder for some children to concentrate on schoolwork or tasks at home. Meanwhile, spring brings more daylight, more sunlight, and often improved sleep quality. This boost in alertness can enhance attention spans, memory, and overall cognitive performance by supporting the brain’s ability to process information and solve problems.
6 Tips on supporting your child’s transition from winter to spring
Clearly, the seasons affect us humans just as much as the natural world itself! So, how can families navigate this transition smoothly? Here are some practical, easy-to-follow tips to help your child adjust, stay healthy, and happy.
1. Talk about seasonal changes
By taking the time to talk to your children about the changing seasons, you’ll help them understand how the environment can influence our moods — normalising the experience. For instance, if they’re feeling extra sleepy, simply acknowledging, “It is tricky to wake up when it’s so dark outside, isn’t it?” validates their feelings. This opens the door for them to ask questions and observe their surroundings.
You could even use visual aids, like pictures or videos, to explain the signs of spring — plants budding, butterflies emerging, ice melting, or later sunsets. Furthermore, children have greater control and awareness of what is to come, making the winter-to-spring transition exciting, rather than stressful.
2. Establish a consistent routine
For kids who thrive on structure and routine, springtime can be unpredictable, disrupting their sense of stability. As mentioned earlier, the increase in daylight affects the body’s internal clock (circadian rhythm). Maintaining a consistent routine helps us adjust by supporting this rhythm, promoting better sleep and emotional regulation.
This can be achieved by setting bedtimes and wake-up times, using a countdown or timer to signal the start or end of an activity, and planning structured homework, play, or mealtimes to counteract dips in energy or potential overstimulation. With longer evenings, it’s also important to carve in some wind-down time too. You might enjoy quieter activities like reading, drawing, or puzzles, and avoid screens for at least an hour to prepare for a restful night’s sleep.
3. Dress appropriately for the weather
From warm sunshine in the morning to heavy rain and wind in the afternoon, spring is notoriously unpredictable. Dressing your child appropriately for these sudden changes not only helps protect them from the elements but also prevents fatigue, discomfort and potential illnesses (e.g., sniffles, sore throats) caused by feeling too hot or cold.
Layering is key: start with a t-shirt, jumper and a light, waterproof jacket. This allows them to easily add or remove a piece of clothing depending on changes in temperature. Paired with trousers or leggings, your child will be ready for whatever the day brings. Don’t forget wellies or sturdy boots for muddy, puddle-jumping adventures, and pack a hat and sun cream (SPF 30 or higher), as even the early-spring sun can feel strong.
4. Embrace the outdoors
After all those days spent cooped up indoors, it’s time to get back out into nature! Fresh air, natural sunlight, and physical activity release endorphins (our “feel-good” hormones) while boosting vitamin D levels. Together, these lift our mood and help reduce stress and restlessness. You could organise a nature walk, plant a flower together in the garden, set up a scavenger hunt, or have a picnic in a local park.
Each one is designed to engage all four senses (sight, sound, touch, and smell), enabling kids to explore their environment, while developing key life skills such as problem-solving, communication and coordination. If you decide to book a May half-term camp, we have loads of adventure activities to keep kids active, build confidence and create unforgettable memories, including kayaking, climbing, and more!
5. Stay ahead of allergies
Pollen season often begins in spring. If you or your children are affected by common seasonal allergies and illnesses (e.g., hay fever), then it’s crucial to plan ahead. This will reduce any discomfort, irritability, and fatigue, helping kids feel well and healthy during the transition from winter to spring.
Firstly, knowing what triggers your child’s allergies allows you to take preventative measures, such as choosing low-pollen times of day, so they can enjoy the outdoors safely. Monitor local pollen forecasts, wash your hands and face after being outside, and keep windows closed during high-pollen periods. Over-the-counter treatments or prescribed medications like antihistamines (if recommended by a GP) can also help manage symptoms such as a runny nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing.
6. Maintain a well-balanced diet
Finally, help your kids transition from winter to spring by maintaining a well-balanced diet. Seasonal shifts tend to influence hormones that control hunger (ghrelin) and fullness (leptin). That’s why during the colder months, we tend to crave higher-calorie foods like cheese, potatoes and sugar for warmth and energy.
To support our immune system, brain function, and overall health, eating fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins is key. Include seasonal produce, like berries, asparagus, and leafy greens, and make sure your kids are drinking enough water to replenish their fluids as the temperature rises. You could even prepare meals together and let them choose their own healthy snacks for lunch, establishing the importance of nutrition.
Enjoy the season of spring at a PGL May half-term camp!
Ready to make the most of spring? Our May half-term holiday camps help your child transition from winter to spring, all while building confidence and having a whole lot of fun!
From raft building and abseiling to archery and obstacle courses, every day is packed with adventure and opportunities to develop skills, make friends, and enjoy nature. Our activity centres are spread throughout the UK, so you can be sure there’s a half-term camp near you. Take a look at our fantastic locations below:
North Yorkshire, Newby Wiske Hall
Book a place at our May half-term camp today and watch your kids thrive in the season of growth and new beginnings! For more information, get in touch with our friendly team.
