My kids walked in the front door, threw their backpacks in the corner, and plopped down on the couch. I smirked when I heard the little one say, “My brain is officially off the clock!” I couldn’t blame him. I always loved the freedom of summer vacation, especially the parts about sleeping in and staying up late.
Meanwhile, a friend said her daughter cried on the way home from school. She started asking when she’d see her friends again and what she would be eating for lunch every day. I didn’t realize until then the anxiety some kids feel when their school routine is taken from them.
Sounds like my friend’s daughter had plenty of company. A 2025 Child Mind Institute study found that 8 in 10 parents and kids say loneliness and social isolation are among their biggest mental health concerns. The good news is, whether they’re recovering from a stressful school year or dealing with loneliness, there are simple ways to give your kids a mentally healthy summer. Try these 5.
1. Limit the number of transitions.
Every summer as a kid, my mom signed me up for a summer enrichment program. I dreaded the first few days and was always nervous about making friends. Fortunately, the program was four weeks long, so I only had to endure the awkward transition once. Kids who thrive on routine can find repeated new situations especially hard on their nerves. Finding a longer camp or a few camps all at the same location instead of several short ones here and there will help a child who’s anxious about being social over the summer.
2. Make and post a plan.
One of the best ways to give your kids a mentally healthy summer is to set a loose schedule. Our Schedule That Saved My Summer printable is a great guide to working in all different types of activities (and downtime). If your kids are attending camps or hanging out at friends’ houses during the day while you work, print and post a calendar that will help them get their bearings and track the days.
3. Get a preview.
A study out of Harvard Medical School found three types of summer anxiety in kids: separation anxiety, social anxiety, and specific phobias, like thunderstorms. If your child has one of the first two, consider taking him or her in advance to see the field or building where your kids are going to camp. Just seeing the building he or she will be hanging out in for the week can help alleviate some fears.
A lot of unknowns can be cleared up with a simple visit. Familiar surroundings signal safety to a child’s nervous system, which is why even a quick five-minute walk-through can make an unfamiliar place feel less threatening before the first day.
4. Set limits on screen time.
My younger son would be content to play on his tablet all summer and only break for the bathroom and a bowl of cereal. As much as allowing a child to be a couch potato feels like a great way to relieve stress, it’s not going to lead to a mentally healthy summer. Sure, loosen the reins on screen time a bit, but keep limits in place and try a no-electronics day once per week.
5. Be intentional about friend time.
Remember my friend’s daughter crying on the way home from school because she didn’t know when she’d see her friends again? Don’t let that worry linger all summer. Kids need connection to thrive mentally, and summertime can quickly get away from us if we’re not paying attention.
And here’s a double bonus. When you can get them outside together, even better. Research shows that time outdoors meaningfully reduces anxiety and improves mood in kids, so a bike ride with the kid down the street or an afternoon at the pool is genuinely good for their mental health.
Even a standing weekly hangout gives kids something to look forward to and keeps those friendships from going dormant.
What are some other ways to give your kids a mentally healthy summer?
