Five ways to keep children engaged, safe during the school break

The August school holidays arrive with a familiar rhythm: the laughter of children freed from classrooms, the hum of families planning trips, and the quiet relief of parents who no longer juggle homework deadlines.

Yet beneath the joy lies a sobering reality. Idle time, unsupervised hours, and peer pressure can open doors to dangerous habits including drugs, alcohol, and other risky behaviors.

Community worker and volunteer Joseph Mureithi says that as guardians and community members, parents must recognise that holidays are not just a pause from academics; they are a test of resilience, vigilance, and love. The challenge, he says, is not only to keep children occupied but to keep them anchored.

"Children crave adventure, and when structured routines vanish, they seek excitement elsewhere. For some, this means sports, art, or volunteering, while for others, it may mean experimenting with substances whispered about in peer circles," says Mureithi, who also doubles as chair of a parents' support group against substance abuse.

He says the August break, stretching across weeks, becomes fertile ground for both positive growth and destructive choices.

Take the story of Peter Njue, a 15-year-old in Ngong. His parents, busy with work, assumed he was safe at home. However, Peter's friends introduced him to alcohol during the holidays. What began as curiosity quickly spiralled into dependency. His parents only realised the danger when his grades plummeted.

Peter's story is not unique. It is a reminder that idle time, left unchecked, can become a breeding ground for bad habits.

According to Wainaina Kiganya, a counselling psychologist, the most powerful antidote is presence.

"Not the kind measured by achievements or material gifts, but the quiet, consistent presence of a parent who listens, notices, and cares, and a father who joins his son for a morning jog, a mother who sits with her daughter over tea, a guardian who asks about friends," says the expert. "These small acts build trust, the shield against peer pressure."

Counsellors often emphasise that children who feel seen and heard at home are less likely to seek validation elsewhere. However, presence is not about perfection; it is about availability.

Kiganya says children often know more than we think. They hear stories of drugs at school, see images online, and watch peers experiment. While silence from parents leaves them vulnerable, honest conversations about the dangers of drugs, the lure of bad habits, and the courage to say no empower children. These talks must be age-appropriate, but they must happen.

A teacher in Kajiado recalls a student who confided that his parents never spoke about drugs. "I thought it was normal to try," the boy said. That silence nearly cost him his future. Dialogue is not optional; it is essential.

Mureithi says family rituals are anchors. "Weekly dinners, shared chores, evening walks, and other interactive activities create rhythm and belonging. A child who feels rooted in family traditions is less likely to seek belonging in risky circles. Rituals remind children: 'You are part of us. You matter.'"

In one family, Sunday evenings are reserved for storytelling. Parents share tales from their youth, weaving lessons into laughter. The children, captivated, absorb values without lectures. Rituals like these build identity and resilience.

Idle time must be filled with purpose. Parents should encourage hobbies that excite, such as football, painting, music, or community service. Holidays are opportunities to discover talents. A child who learns guitar or joins a youth group finds identity in creation, not destruction.

Consider Mary Ogeto, a 13-year-old who joined a local art club during the holidays. Surrounded by peers who valued creativity, she blossomed. Her parents noticed she was more confident, less distracted, and more focused. Healthy alternatives are not luxuries; they are lifelines.

Mureithi says no parent can do it alone, adding that churches, mosques, schools, and youth organisations must step in.

"Community programs provide safe spaces where children thrive, and parents should partner with these institutions, ensuring children are surrounded by mentors who reinforce positive values," says Mureithi.

In Ngong, a youth football league keeps dozens of teenagers engaged during holidays. Coaches act as role models, teaching discipline and teamwork. Such initiatives prove that community is not just support; it is prevention.

Kiganya says parents must stay alert. Sudden changes in behaviour, such as secrecy, withdrawal, or new friends, may signal trouble.

"Awareness is not suspicion; it is love expressed through vigilance. Early intervention saves futures," says the expert.

The counsellor notes that while parents often dismiss small changes, it is these small changes that are the first signs. "Catch them early, and you save a child. Awareness is the difference between prevention and regret," he says.

To safeguard children during the break, parents and guardians can focus on five practical steps: lead with presence by spending quality time together; encourage healthy hobbies like sports, arts, or volunteering; maintain open conversations about substance abuse; anchor children with family rituals such as shared meals or weekly storytelling; and partner with community groups, churches, and sports leagues to provide safe, structured environments.

"Let us not wait for tragedy to remind us of our duty, but let us act now, with love and wisdom, to keep our children safe," concludes Mureithi.