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As summer slowly creeps in, many parents of boarding school students start scratching their heads, wondering: How do I keep my child active this summer? What if they just sit around all day, glued to phone screens? Will they forget all the positive habits they built during the school year?

At The Modern School ECNCR — Delhi’s Top Boarding School — we see this concern almost every year from our boarding parents. After months of structured academic life, the long summer break feels like a huge void. Kids do need rest, of course, but too much idle time can make them restless, distracted, or even a bit lazy. The trick is to use this time to recharge and stay active, both physically and mentally.

If you’re planning your child’s summer break and wondering how to strike this balance, here are some simple yet powerful strategies we recommend to families of our boarding students.

1. Bring Some Structure Into Their Days

One of the biggest shifts that happens when school closes for summer is the sudden lack of a daily routine. While it might seem harmless at first to let your child wake up at noon, binge-watch shows, or stay up till 2 am… after a few weeks, this can lead to boredom and sluggishness.

Try helping them create a loose summer schedule — nothing military-like, just enough to give the day some shape.

Mornings could start with a bit of physical activity: maybe cricket in the park, cycling, or basketball practice. Mid-day hours can be used for reading or hobbies like painting, sketching, or writing poetry. Even assigning a few light household chores works wonders — it gives them responsibility and a sense of contribution.

And most importantly, build in free time and rest. This mix of activity and downtime keeps them alert without overwhelming them.

Having a routine during holidays doesn’t just keep boredom away… it also gives them a sense of purpose. And trust us, teens feel much better when they end the day feeling they’ve done something meaningful.

2. Let Them Find a “Summer Buddy”

For many boarders, the summer holidays can feel oddly quiet. They’re used to living around friends, sharing meals and jokes in the dorms, and suddenly being at home alone can be a bit lonely.

A lovely way to fix this is by helping them find a “summer buddy.”

This could be a school friend who lives nearby, a cousin of similar age, or even a neighbour’s child with shared interests. Plan weekly meetups, or let them co-work on summer assignments together. They could also take up fun projects like baking, gardening, or building something creative.

Having someone to collaborate with keeps them socially active, builds communication skills, and honestly — it just makes summer a lot more fun.

3. Travel… but with Purpose

Travel doesn’t always have to mean five-star vacations. Even short trips can be deeply enriching if they have a purpose.

Think of visiting heritage sites, exploring nature trails, or even spending a few days at a relative’s home in a different city or village. If possible, look for youth cultural exchange or immersion programs — they’re brilliant for opening young minds to new perspectives.

When travel includes elements of learning, observing, or contributing to a community, it becomes more than just a break… it becomes growth.

And once they’re back in the classroom, they carry those memories, observations, and experiences with them — which actually makes them better learners too.

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4. Join Sports or Activity Camps

At The Modern School ECNCR, we are proud of the strong sports culture we nurture in our boarding students. Being one of the best boarding schools in delhi, we’ve seen first-hand how structured physical training transforms not just the body but the mind.

Summer is a great time to build on this foundation.

There are tons of summer sports camps for cricket, swimming, tennis, football, and more. They boost stamina and fitness, teach teamwork and discipline, and give kids new social circles beyond school.

If your child is more into creative or analytical activities, you can also consider drama, music, dance, or coding camps. These keep their minds engaged while giving them an exciting new challenge.

And if you want ideas for programs aligned with our boarding curriculum, our team at The Modern School ECNCR would be happy to guide you.

5. Manage Screen Time Gently

We all know this one’s tough. With so much free time, screens become the default for many kids. But unlimited screen use can mess up their sleep cycle, focus, and even mood.

So rather than banning gadgets completely (which often backfires), try setting gentle boundaries.

• No screen time before breakfast
• Limit recreational screen use to an hour or two
• Have tech-free times — especially during meals or family time
• Encourage creative offline hobbies like sketching, journaling, or gardening

These small steps help them balance their digital and real lives, and keep their mind and body more grounded.

6. Encourage Volunteering & Community Service

Summer is the perfect season to look outward. Doing something for others can be surprisingly fulfilling for teens — and it teaches values that no classroom can.

Some simple ideas:

• Helping out at local NGOs
• Joining neighbourhood clean-up drives
• Teaching basic literacy or computer skills to underprivileged kids
• Spending time at an animal shelter or old-age home

At the Best boarding school near delhi ncr, we’ve woven social responsibility into our boarding life. Encouraging kids to step outside their comfort zone and serve others builds compassion, empathy, and leadership. Summer is a perfect time to apply these lessons beyond the school campus.

Even a few hours a week of volunteering can completely change their outlook on life.

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7. Stay Connected with Their Boarding World

One thing many families overlook is how much boarders miss their school environment. They don’t always say it, but being away from dorm mates, mentors, and activities can feel strange.

To ease this, encourage them to stay gently connected. This could be through casual calls with friends, attending school-organised summer events, or joining virtual club sessions.

Boarding schools in Sonipat like ours often host optional summer workshops or alumni talks. These small touchpoints remind students they’re part of a vibrant learning community — and gives them something to look forward to once school reopens.

We’ve seen that when kids stay even loosely connected with their school world, they return much more motivated and emotionally ready for the next term.

8. Balance Freedom with Gentle Guidance

Summer is also a time when teens crave independence. That’s not a bad thing — it’s how they grow. But striking the right balance between freedom and structure is key.

Give them space to make their own choices: how to spend their afternoons, what books to read, what hobbies to explore. But also set a few ground rules around safety, curfews, and responsibilities.

This helps them practice decision-making while still knowing they’re supported.

As a top boarding school near delhi, we always remind parents that summer is when your child can practice being self-directed — something they’ll need in adult life.

Summer Isn’t a Pause — It’s a New Kind of Growth

It’s easy to think of summer as just “time off,” but it can actually be one of the most powerful seasons for personal growth. While academics pause, development doesn’t have to.

From structured routines and sports to travel, volunteering, and mindful screen use — there are so many ways to keep your child active, curious, and happy.

At The Modern School ECNCR, we work closely with families to design summer plans that combine fun with enrichment. Whether your child heads home for the break or joins one of our initiatives, the goal stays the same: keep growing, just differently.

So this summer, let your child rest, explore, move, learn, laugh — and come back to school recharged and inspired.

Want help planning your child’s summer or curious about our programs?
Visit boarding schools in delhi ncr to know how our residential curriculum keeps students active year-round. Or connect with our admissions team directly to learn more.

Contact Details

The Modern School, ECNCR
Rajiv Gandhi Education City Phase-2, Kundli, Sonipat, Haryana-131023
Email: modern@modernschoolec.com
Mobile No: 7027802783 / 84
Website: https://modernschoolec.com/