Why School Breaks Require Just as Much Planning as the School Year and Tips for Filling the Time

School breaks are often seen as a welcome pause from routines, but for children in foster care and residential treatment, extended breaks can be challenging. The structure and support that school provides suddenly disappears, and without intentional planning, long stretches of unstructured time can increase stress, anxiety, and behavioral challenges. At Cornerstones of Care, we approach school breaks as opportunities to not only keep youth busy, but to support social-emotional growth, learning, and connection.

Research and experience both show that young people thrive when they have consistency and engaging outlets for their energy. For youth who have experienced trauma, predictability and positive adult relationships are especially critical. Structured activities during breaks help maintain routines and provide opportunities for joy and exploration.

Just as important, these experiences help ensure children in care have access to the same kinds of opportunities their peers enjoy like going to plays, visiting museums, attending sporting events, or simply spending time in the community.

Over the past year, youth at our Ozanam campus have participated in a wide range of community outings including visits to Science City, the Kansas City Zoo, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the World War I Museum, sporting events, and live theater performances. These experiences are intentionally chosen for their developmental impact.

Live theater, for example, supports social and emotional learning in powerful ways. Observing characters’ emotions, motivations, and relationships helps kids and teens practice empathy and interpretation of social cues. After seeing Beauty and the Beast one youth reflected, “When the Beast was a regular man, he was a jerk, so the witch turned him into a Beast. If he’d just been nice, that never would have happened.” Moments like these open the door to meaningful conversations about choices and consequences.

This spring, youth at the Ozanam campus will attend Dog Man: The Musical at the Folly Theater, continuing our commitment to integrating arts and community experiences into school breaks. Looking ahead, we’re planning future outings, including a summer trip to see the national Broadway tour of Mrs. Doubtfire.

Hands-on outings also strengthen cognitive and academic skills. Exposure to new vocabulary and environments helps deepen understanding and spark curiosity. After attending a rugby game at CPKC Stadium, one youth shared how amazed they were by the view of the river and the city and how much they enjoyed learning how scoring works in a new sport.

We also know that not every meaningful experience requires leaving campus. During upcoming school breaks, including Spring break from March 30 through April 6, we’re focusing on creating engaging on-site activities such as game nights, gym activities, movies, and opportunities for adults to spend time connecting with youth through play.

For organizations serving youth, especially those in foster care or residential settings, the takeaway is simple: school breaks deserve as much intentional planning as the school year itself. Thoughtfully structured activities, both on campus and in the community, support positive behavior and create memories that youth carry with them long after the break ends.

By investing in experiences that promote learning, connection, and joy, organizations can turn downtime into a powerful tool for growth.

You can help turn school breaks into opportunities for healing and hope. Donate today to support our youth.