Beat Family Travel Stress: The Power of Siestas on Vacation with Kids
Traveling with kids is one of life’s greatest adventures. The promise of quality family time combined with the excitement of discovering a new country and all its hidden gems can feel truly magical.
If you’re juggling suncream, naps, and endless activities, you might feel like you never get a moment to breathe. That’s where the Spanish tradition of the siesta can be a total game-changer for family holidays. Here’s why adding an afternoon break could be your secret weapon for sanity and fun.
In Spain, a siesta traditionally means a short afternoon nap or just retreating indoors during the hottest part of the day. This tradition, which officially refers to short afternoon naps but can also encapsulate simply retreating inside during the height of the afternoon heat, is largely praised for Spain’s high health grade. But beyond being a cultural quirk, it’s a game-changer for family travel — and could seriously boost your holiday sanity. Here’s why:
1. Escape the Midday Heat
Whether you’re in Spain, Australia, or another sunny spot, afternoons can get scorching. While you might feel tempted to eek as much activity out of your travel days as possible, you’re simply not going to feel up for much once temperatures are nudging 35+°C.
If you’re in a country that recognises siestas, you’ll also notice that most shops and restaurants shut between the hours of 2-3 pm anyway, leaving you with little to do but burn. So, why not head back to your hotel room for a while to get out of the sun?
The great thing? In many sun-soaked countries, shops and restaurants close during these hours, so there’s not much to do anyway. Instead of pushing through, head back to your hotel or rental for a cool, quiet break. Let the kids rest (or nap), hydrate, and cool off in the AC.
2. Make Late Nights More Manageable
Whether your kids still nap at home or not, a siesta on holiday can make those later bedtimes easier to handle. Family dinners, festivals, or evening shows often start well after your usual bedtime routine — and with a well-timed afternoon rest, your kids can stay awake longer and enjoy those special nighttime moments.
If your little one still naps regularly, try to replicate that as much as possible and get them to sleep. A quiet, comfy hotel room is way better for a solid nap than a noisy poolside or bustling café. You might even shift nap times a little later than usual — say, an hour or two — to extend your evening hours.
For older kids who’ve dropped naps, encourage a short rest — 20 to 30 minutes max — so they wake up refreshed, not groggy. Even a little downtime helps recharge their batteries for family fun after dark.
3. Quality Time Without the Chaos
Just because you’re retreating for a siesta doesn’t mean everyone has to be asleep. In fact, this downtime can be the perfect chance to enjoy some real, undistracted family time. Between all the sightseeing, kids’ clubs, and busy days, it’s easy to get caught up in the logistics and forget to simply be together.
During your siesta, turn off the trip noise and slow things down. Pull out some easy group games — think cards, board games, or classic speaking games like charades. Games that require teamwork work especially well here, because it’s one of the rare moments when you can all focus and collaborate without distractions.
4. Give Yourself Permission to Relax
Of course, your family holiday is about bonding, but you also need a break. Whether your kids actually nap or are happily absorbed in books and magazines, use this quiet time to rest your tired feet and recharge your mind. Even just closing your eyes for a few minutes can work wonders.
If your kids are napping, it’s a golden opportunity to finally dig into that holiday reading you’ve been carrying around. Or maybe you want to challenge yourself with a crossword or some solitaire. These little moments of “me time” might be the secret to avoiding burnout and keeping your energy up for all the fun still ahead.
5. Make Your Hotel Room Work for You
Hotel rooms on family trips often end up feeling like just a place to crash, rushing out early after the breakfast buffet and returning exhausted late at night. But those rooms can actually be a quiet oasis if you let them be.
Take advantage of your siesta to slow down in your room — maybe lounge on the balcony with a cool drink, explore the minibar’s hidden gems, or hunt for books and games tucked away in drawers. And of course, never underestimate the power of simply stretching out on that comfy hotel bed, even if you’re not asleep.
6. Boost Your Travel Health
Ever notice how some travelers come back from vacation feeling under the weather? You’re not alone — post-holiday colds, fevers, and exhaustion are surprisingly common. A big part of this can be sunstroke, dehydration, or just general burnout from packing in too much under the hot sun.
Taking a siesta—getting out of the heat and resting—can help you avoid these pitfalls. Plus, research suggests that siestas can have broader health benefits, like better heart health and improved mood. Even a week or two of regular afternoon rest can leave you feeling more alert, happier, and truly ready to soak up every moment of your trip.
Siestas aren’t just a Spanish stereotype — they’re a smart, simple tool for traveling families. If you’re ready to reclaim some calm, avoid meltdowns, and enjoy your holiday to the fullest, give the siesta a go. Your sanity (and your kids) will thank you for it.
