A Slower Half Term: Simple Autumn Days with Older Children

By the time October half term arrives, we’re usually ready for fewer plans, slower mornings and a little more time together. Those first weeks back at school are busy, and between teaching, family life and keeping on top of everything at home, I’m looking forward to a few days when we can move at our own pace.

As the children get older, our school holidays are changing too. There’s less need for me to organise every activity, and more opportunity to follow their interests. Sometimes that means a day out together. Other times, it means being at home, doing our own things and coming together over food or a film.

This half term, we have a family trip to London planned, alongside some autumn walks and time to see where the days take us. It feels like a lovely balance.

Autumn walks with a creative purpose

My daughter has recently started her Art GCSE, and her portfolio theme is natural forms. I also happen to be her art teacher, so there is a little overlap between school and home at the moment!

Over the break, we’re planning to go on some walks so she can take her own primary research photographs to help develop her portfolio. Autumn gives her so much to look at: curling leaves, exposed seed heads, twisting branches and the textures of bark. Even something lying on the pavement can become interesting when you stop to look closely.

I’m looking forward to seeing what catches her eye. A whole woodland scene might be beautiful, but a close-up of the veins in a leaf or the folds of a fading flower could give her much more to explore in her artwork.

There’s something lovely about having a reason to slow down on a walk. We can pause, look a little closer and notice things we might otherwise pass. I’ll have to remember to leave some space for being Mum, too, and let her take the lead with her ideas.

And, portfolio photographs aside, getting outside together is something I’m looking forward to in its own right. A flask of something warm and a little fresh air sound like a very good way to spend an autumn afternoon.

A family gallery day in London

We also have a family day out in London planned to visit some galleries. With my daughter beginning her GCSE, it feels like a lovely time to go and explore artwork together.

Seeing work in person offers so much that a photograph can’t quite capture. You can get a sense of its scale, move closer to look at the surface and spot details that disappear on a screen. I’m interested to see which pieces she responds to, particularly as she begins developing her own ideas.

We’ll have her natural forms theme in mind, but I want there to be room for curiosity too. She might be drawn to a colour combination, a particular texture or a way of working she hasn’t considered before.

I’m hoping we can keep the day relaxed, with time to look properly, stop for food and enjoy being in London together. We don’t need to see everything for it to be a worthwhile day.

Leaving room between the plans

As much as I’m looking forward to London, I’m equally looking forward to the days around it.

It’s tempting to fill a school holiday before it has even begun. There are people to see, jobs to catch up on and plenty of ideas for things we could do. But I know how quickly a week can become another timetable.

This time, I’d like to leave some space between our plans. A walk might be the main event of the day. An afternoon at home might stay an afternoon at home.

Older children need that breathing room too. After weeks of lessons, homework and early starts, there’s value in having time they can use for themselves. I want us to enjoy being together without feeling that every hour needs organising.

Making space for creativity at home

With an art project underway, I imagine there will be some creative time at home over the break, too.

Looking through photographs after a walk could be a lovely starting point: choosing the most interesting images, noticing repeated shapes or deciding which details might be worth drawing. It doesn’t all have to happen immediately. Sometimes ideas need a little time.

I love the possibility of us sitting around the table, each absorbed in something different. Someone drawing, someone making or building, and a conversation happening in between. It’s an easy way to spend time together as the children get older, without needing everyone to enjoy exactly the same activity.

There may be baking, too, or a film once the light starts to fade. Those familiar afternoons are often what I most want from a week at home.

Letting the season shape the week

One thing I enjoy about autumn is how naturally it offers ideas for simple days.

If the weather is bright, we can head outside and make the most of it. If it’s wet and grey, we can settle in at home. A walk, a browse around a bookshop or charity shop, something warm for lunch — there’s plenty to enjoy without needing a big outing every day.

I’m trying to keep that in mind as we head into the break. We have things to look forward to, but we can also leave room to change our minds, stay a little longer somewhere or head home when we’ve had enough.

For me, a slower half term means having enough time to enjoy what we’ve chosen to do. I’m looking forward to watching my daughter gather ideas for her portfolio, seeing some art together and spending a few autumn days with my family.

Are you making plans for half term, or leaving a little room to see where the week takes you?

K Elizabeth xoxox