Some Children Thrive On More Activity, Others Need More Downtime

Juggling school club activities, music lessons, sports, homework and social events can leave families feeling stretched thin. ThedaCare has advice for parents and caregivers trying to balance their children’s activities with family well-being.

“It’s not uncommon for overscheduling to occur,” said Hannah Gracyalny, a nurse practitioner with ThedaCare Physicians Pediatrics-Darboy. “It often happens through the good intention of wanting to help kids become well-rounded but having too little free time can take a toll.”

The beginning of the school year is an ideal good time to take inventory of children’s schedules, she said. “Ask yourself if the load is realistic and remember that letting a few obligations go could improve quality of life for both you and your child.”

Hannah Gracyalny

Why Overscheduling Happens

Activity overload can creep in for many reasons, Gracyalny said.

“Sometimes it sneaks up when we sign up for more and more until suddenly you realize you don’t have a free day all week,” she said. “Other times kids may drive it. For example, they may want to participate in both basketball and volleyball.”

In some cases, overscheduling may be driven by a parent or caregiver’s desire to set their child up for future success, Gracyalny said. That can include encouraging participation in numerous activities and providing a wide range of experiences. Families may also fill their children’s schedules out of concern that too much free time could lead to boredom.

“It’s understandable to want to keep kids engaged in enriching activities,” she said. “It’s also important to build in time for rest and unstructured play and, yes, even boredom.”

Though it’s often seen as a negative, boredom can help kips in several ways, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (APA). These include honing creativity and imagination and building independence and problem-solving skills.

Upsides of Downtime

It can be easy to dismiss the need for free time but it’s important for children of all ages, from toddlers to teens.

For young children, unstructured play is critical, according to the American Psychological Association. This type of free play bolsters children’s physical, emotional, mental and social health. It also helps them develop creativity, problem solving and critical thinking, while at the same time allowing them to determine what they’re interested in.

“Make time for unstructured play in your child’s day and consider getting in on the fun with them,” Gracyalny said. “Engaging in play with your child helps build your relationship and encourages healthy attachment.”

Enriching unstructured activities can include drawing, arts and crafts, biking, hands-on play with toys and reading.

As the stresses of school and activities mount, building in downtime is also important for older children and teens, Gracyalny said. They need opportunities to rest their minds and bodies and to spend time with friends.

A child may not verbalize that they are overwhelmed, Gracyalny said. Signs of burnout can appear in several ways including through:

• Irritability, mood swings or anxiety
• Poor or worsening school performance
• Loss of interest in favorite activities
• Physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches and difficulty sleeping

Each child and family is unique. There’s no simple formula for determining the right amount of downtime. The APA recommends trying to ensure kids have at least two or three days a week that are free of back-to-back time commitments.

Considerations for parents and caregivers working to avoid overscheduling among their children may include:

• How many schedules the children are balancing. “If you have multiple kids, you may need to weigh how many activities you can accommodate for each child.”
• The needs of the whole family. “The stress of endless obligations can add up and affect everyone,” Gracyalny said. “Parents and caregivers should also build in downtime for themselves.”
• Their child’s personality, temperament and maturity level. “Some kids may thrive on more activity, while others might need more downtime,” Gracyalny said.

“Your child may say they want to do everything but encourage them to focus on one or two favorite activities, especially as they get older and responsibilities multiply,” Gracyalny said.

People with questions about the right balance of activities for their children are encouraged to schedule an appointment with a pediatrician or ask at their child’s next well visit.

About ThedaCare

For more than 115 years, ThedaCare® has been improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves in northeast and central Wisconsin. The organization delivers care to more than 650,000 residents in 17 counties, and employs approximately 7,000 providers and team members at 180 points of care, including 10 hospitals. As an organization committed to being a leader in Population Health, team members are dedicated to empowering people to live their unique, best lives. ThedaCare is a not-for-profit health system with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs, as well as primary care. ThedaCare also partners with communities to understand needs, find solutions together, and encourage health awareness and action. ThedaCare is part of Froedtert ThedaCare, Wisconsin’s most comprehensive healthcare system.

Date posted: September 2, 2026