As the Easter school holidays near the thought of keeping your kids fed, watered and entertained can feel exhausting. But throw travel into the mix and that can change from exhausting to exhilarating... with the added bonus of bonding time like no other. Here's are five reasons why the Easter school holidays are the best time to bond:
The study of the benefits of travel dates back to 1968, when a researcher named Klausner first noted positive family and personal effects from prolonged holidays. Leisure activities between parents and children was also found to enhance family relationships and promote bonding.
And this generation of kids, teens and adults are up for the adventure. According to leading business publication Forbes, Generation Z (now aged 12 to 28 years) and Generation Alpha (now aged 1 to 11 years) value experiences – particularly travel – more than possessions: “For this group, happiness isn’t as focused on possessions or career status. Living a meaningful, happy life is about creating, sharing and capturing memories earned through experiences that span the spectrum of life’s opportunities.”
A break from school doesn’t have to mean a break from learning. Nor does it have to mean that your kids will sit inside all day this Easter playing video games or scrolling Tik-Tok. Take a trip!
By pushing your kids outside into nature and out of their normal four walls, you’re helping to activate the equivalent of “brain fertilisers” in their frontal lobes, which help with stress regulation, attention, concentration, good planning and ability to learn.
Scientific studies have shown that immersive "outdoor classrooms" and the playful, exploratory experiences that travel offers help kids to effectively problem solve, improve their attention levels and focus, and boost their overall mental health. We’d call this a win all around.
Despite your best intentions, there will always be competing interests for your time. Even parents who take time off work for a “staycation” at home with the family during the school holidays can find themselves competing with pesky calls and emails, the housework, laundry, gardening, or the next do-it-yourself project.
By taking a trip, however, you’re choosing to be more intentional with your time; your interactions with your partner and children will likely be of better quality. Travel forces you all to get away from the television or laptop, and out into character-stretching situations.
Kids and teens addicted to their screen? A family holiday is just the thing to unplug and reboot them! From walking safaris in Mpumalanga to zip-lining on the Garden Route, South Africa is brimming with family-friendly activities that will get your kids off the screen and into nature.
Nearby Indian Ocean Island destinations like Mauritius, Zanzibar and Mozambique also offer affordable and nature-based holidays for the whole family. Resorts in Mauritius are particularly renowned for offering land and sea activities (included in the package price) that will keep the kids busy day and night. Plus many Mauritian resorts have kids clubs and babysitting services, allowing parents to get much-needed downtime while their children are well-entertained and expertly cared for.
Hotels and resorts go out of their way to attract families for the Easter holidays, so there are plenty of good deals to be had. Visit our website to see all the Easter holiday specials on offer, like these deals:
1 | Four Nights at the 4-star Massinga Beach Lodge in Mozambique, from R18,893 per person sharing. Full details and Ts and Cs here.
2 | Three Nights at the 3-star Desert Quiver Camp in Namibia, from R3,790 per person sharing. Full details and Ts and Cs here.
3 | Four Nights at the 5-star White Pearl Resort in Mozambique, from R27,338 per person sharing. Full details and Ts and Cs here.
4 | Two Nights at the 4-star Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge from only R5,456 per person sharing, including breakfast and dinner and one daily game drive. Plus 2 kids under 12 stay and eat free when sharing with 2 adults! Full deal details and Ts and Cs here.
5 | Two Nights at the 4-star Wild Coast Sun in a Garden Facing Luxury Family Room from R2,011 per person sharing, plus up to 2 kids stay and eat breakfast for free when staying with 2 adults. Full deal details and Ts and Cs here.
6 | Two Nights at the Pezula Nature Hotel & Spa in Knysna from R3,260 per person sharing. Full deal details and Ts and Cs here.
7 | Two Nights at the 3-star Cavern Drakensberg Resort & Spa from R3,506 per person sharing, including breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, plus daily guided hikes. Full deal details and Ts and Cs here.
For more Easter holiday packages, or to book one of the online offers, contact your nearest Sure Travel agency.