Unstructured Summer

Why an unstructured summer is good for kids

Think backyard chaos, creativity from boredom, and building confidence with dirt and scraped knees.  Here are research-backed reasons why ditching the schedule could be your best parenting decision of the summer.

Structure fatigue is real:  During the school year, kids are often overscheduled with classes, sports, and extracurriculars, leaving little room for rest or creativity. Summer is the perfect time to hit pause. Letting go of the rigid routines gives kids space to decompress, breathe, and rediscover what makes them curious and excited. A less structured day gives their brains the chance to reset, which is actually crucial for emotional and mental development.

Boredom isn’t a problem—it’s a portal:  We tend to see boredom as something to fix, but in reality, it’s a spark. When kids don’t have something immediately planned or handed to them, they’re forced to get resourceful. That’s when imagination comes alive—whether they start building with sticks, writing a story, or creating an elaborate role-play game with their siblings. Boredom isn’t a problem; it’s an invitation to invent.

Confidence comes from taking risks:  When kids are allowed to take small risks, get dirty, or figure things out on their own, they grow in ways that structured activities just can’t offer. They learn how to troubleshoot, bounce back from mistakes, and trust themselves. Whether it’s climbing a tree, leading a backyard adventure, or running a lemonade stand, those moments of chaos actually build lifelong confidence and independence.

Unplugging means connecting in other ways:  Digital devices are easy entertainment, but too much screen time dulls creativity and stunts communication. A “feral summer” is a chance to unplug and reconnect—with nature, with family, and with themselves. Kids who spend more time outdoors and less time online tend to sleep better, move more, and use their brains in more dynamic and imaginative ways.

Parents can free themselves of guilt:  Letting your kids go a little wild doesn’t mean you’re neglecting them—it means you’re giving everyone room to breathe. When you stop trying to micromanage every minute of the day, you free up time and energy to actually enjoy your summer, too. It’s less about doing more and more about being present for the real, messy, joy-filled moments that actually matter.