Exact time school hols boredom kicks in with majority of Brit kids zoning out AFTER 11am, survey shows

The Irish Sun

30-07-2025

THE EXACT time school holidays boredom kicks has been revealed with the majority of Brit kids zoning out after 11am, a new survey shows.
A poll, of 1,000 parents of school-age children, revealed 20 per cent see their youngsters hit a brick wall before 10am - with most topping out after 11am.
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The majority of Brit kids zone out after 11am during the summer holidays, a new survey has shown
Credit: SWNS
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A poll, of 1,000 parents of school-age children, revealed 20 per cent see their youngsters hit a brick wall before 10am
Credit: SWNS
Kids reach peak daily boredom at 11:41am during the school holidays according to the poll.
As a result, 68 per cent feel guilty about their fact their child is so bored during their break, with 22 per cent 'uncomfortable' with the amount of screen time they rely on to keep them entertained.
And while 37 per cent try to limit it, they admit it's hard, with 33 per cent using it more than they'd like during the summer - but 34 per cent attempt to utilise screens in creative ways.
Aside from screen time, 37 per cent said the biggest pressure during the break is simply the cost of everything, with 31 per cent feeling the heat when keeping the kids occupied.
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Baking something, going on a nature walk or heading to free museums and galleries, were some of the top things parents lean on to keep kids entertained.
And while setting up paddling pools, creating home cinemas and buying toys out of desperation were other moves to keep boredom away, some have gone to surprising lengths.
One parent reported playing hide and seek 27 times in a single day, while another turned their living room into a jungle safari - complete with costumes and character voices.
Megan Casey, from HP Inc., which commissioned the research, said: 'For parents, much of the summer is spent juggling costs and the pressure to keep children engaged.
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"That is why simple, and affordable solutions can make all the difference.'
It also emerged 38 per cent worry other parents seem to be doing a better job at ensuring their children are occupied during the school break.
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With 63 per cent worried their own offspring will fall behind over the summer if they don't continue with learning activities while away from the classroom.
Despite the difficulties to keep kids engaged, 32 per cent are proud of what they manage to do and 39 per cent grateful for the small wins across the period.
Yet, when struggling for inspiration, 44 per cent said they've spent money they didn't plan to, with the same amount allowing their children to watch TV for hours - and 31 per cent have bribed kids to behave with food.
A messy house was a stress to 31 per cent, alongside sibling arguments (22 per cent) and never getting a break (22 per cent).
The OnePoll.com data revealed parents spend an average of £487 across the summer holidays in a bid to keep boredom at bay.
Six in 10 have looked to keep costs down by printing things off for their kids at their workplace, while 54 per cent have run out of ink at a crucial moment, with 36 per cent desperately trying to print off some crafts to keep their kids entertained.
Megan Casey, from HP Inc., which offers Instant Ink, a smart subscription service that automatically sends cartridges direct to your door when your printer is running low, added: 'Printable activities have become a practical and low-cost solution for parents looking to keep children entertained over the summer.
'But when the ink runs out, those plans quickly fall apart.
'More than half of parents have experienced this at a crucial moment, often while printing something important for their kids.'