A November family routine reset after half term
Updated 31 October 2026 · By Rob and Chris, two Sheffield dads, and our families
To reset your family routine after October half term, change one thing at a time: bring bedtime back in small steps, set up mornings the night before, and plan something active for the dark evenings. The clocks went back an hour on Sunday 25 October 2026, so it now gets dark an hour earlier.
How do you get bedtimes back on track?
- The NHS suggests a calming, predictable bedtime routine at the same time each night.
- Start winding down about 30 minutes before your child usually falls asleep, then move it earlier by 5 to 10 minutes each week until you reach the bedtime you want.
- Keep screens away for 30 to 60 minutes before bed.
Our tip: write the steps on a card by the bathroom (bath, teeth, story, lights) so nobody has to remember, or argue.
How do you make school mornings easier?
What works in our homes:
- Bags packed and by the door the night before, with PE kit on the right day.
- Uniform laid out, including socks. It’s always the socks.
- Breakfast decided the night before.
- A picture list for little ones: dressed, breakfast, teeth, shoes, coat.
- One job each before school, such as feeding the cat or opening the curtains. Our chores by age lists help you pick.
How do kids stay active when it’s dark after school?
The NHS says children aged 5 to 18 should aim for an average of at least 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous activity a day across the week, and 3 and 4 year olds at least 180 minutes a day of activity, with at least 60 minutes moderate to vigorous. Our dark-evening ideas: a kitchen disco, an indoor obstacle course, a torch walk round the block, and a long daylight walk at the weekend.
On dark walks, RoSPA explains that reflective materials show up in the dark and fluorescent materials help you be seen in daylight, so reflective strips on coats and bags are worth it. Near roads, RoSPA calls hand-holding the number one rule for young children.
Should children take vitamin D in winter?
The NHS says that from October to early March the sun is not strong enough for the body to make vitamin D, and that everyone should consider a daily 10 microgram vitamin D supplement during autumn and winter. Children aged 1 to 4 should have a daily 10 microgram supplement all year round. If in doubt, the NHS says ask your doctor.
What’s coming up in November and December 2026?
| Date | What |
|---|---|
| Thursday 5 November | Bonfire Night. See our safety guide and ideas for home. |
| Sunday 8 November | Remembrance Sunday, with a two-minute silence at 11am. See Remembrance Day for kids. |
| Wednesday 11 November | Armistice Day, two-minute silence at 11am. |
| Mid-November | A good time to write Christmas lists (our view). |
| Tuesday 1 December | The first door of the Advent calendar. See our Advent calendar ideas. |
School Christmas holiday dates vary. In England and Wales, find your child’s term dates on your local council’s website.
Our November week
Fill in one row per person. Stick it on the fridge and change it as you go.
Or use your browser’s Print. Only this sheet prints.
| Who | Bedtime | Morning job | After-school job | Active thing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Get the Famoo app Family life, sorted together. The family calendar, jobs and lists, shared by everyone at home.
app.famoo.app
Questions parents ask
How do I get my child back into a routine after half term?
Change one thing at a time. The NHS suggests a calming bedtime routine at the same time each night, moving it earlier by 5 to 10 minutes a week until you reach the time you want. Set up school mornings the night before.
How long before bed should screens go off?
The NHS suggests keeping children away from screens for 30 to 60 minutes before bed.
How much exercise do children need in winter?
The same as the rest of the year. The NHS says children aged 5 to 18 should average at least 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous activity a day across the week, and 3 and 4 year olds at least 180 minutes of activity a day.
Do children need vitamin D in winter?
The NHS says everyone should consider a daily 10 microgram vitamin D supplement in autumn and winter, and children aged 1 to 4 should have one every day all year. If in doubt, the NHS says ask your doctor.
How do I help my child be seen walking in the dark?
Use reflective strips or bands on coats and bags. RoSPA explains reflective materials show up in the dark, while fluorescent ones help in daylight. Young children should always hold hands near roads.
More from Famoo
Make the new routine stick in Famoo
In Famoo, each child sees their own jobs for the day, little ones with pictures, and the whole family’s week is in one place. Join the beta and set up your November routine in a few minutes.
Famoo is a family app for UK homes, in beta, so things may change.
Where this comes from
Each fact on this page links to one of these. Everything else is our own view from our families.
- GOV.UK, When do the clocks change?, checked 31 October 2026
- NHS, Sleep and young children, checked 31 October 2026
- NHS, Physical activity guidelines for children and young people, checked 31 October 2026
- NHS, Physical activity guidelines for children under 5, checked 31 October 2026
- NHS, Vitamin D, checked 31 October 2026
- RoSPA, Child pedestrian safety and road awareness, checked 31 October 2026
- GOV.UK, National Service of Remembrance: Sunday 8 November 2026, checked 31 October 2026
- Imperial War Museums, First World War key facts, checked 31 October 2026
- GOV.UK, School term and holiday dates, checked 31 October 2026
