Anxiety around school trips is common, especially before a child’s first residential. With the right preparation and support, children can feel confident, settled and ready to enjoy the experience. Here’s how parents and teachers can help.
Why do children feel anxious about school trips?
School residential trips are often a child’s first experience of being away from home. For many, that brings excitement but for others it can lead to worry or uncertainty.
Common causes of school trip anxiety include:
- being away from family
- sleeping somewhere new
- changes to familiar routine
- trying new activities
Signs a child may be feeling anxious can include repeatedly asking questions about the trip, reluctance to go on the residential, difficulty sleeping, or physical symptoms like tummy aches and feeling sick.
The most important first step is to acknowledge a child’s feelings and help them to feel supported and understood.
Build confidence through knowledge
One of the most effective ways of managing anxiety in children is reducing the fear of the unknown.
Before a school residential, try to:
- Look at photos of the accommodation on yha.org.uk or take a virtual tour.
- Talk through a sample itinerary so they know what their day will look like.
If they’re worried about food, review our sample menus in advance. We always have a few choices for every meal so there should be something that they’ll like. The YHA breakfasts are always a firm favourite!
When children can picture what their school trip will be like, it becomes far less daunting.
Focus on the positives
Learning outside of the classroom is far more than just time away from home, it’s a chance for children to grow in confidence and independence.
Encourage children to focus on what they’ll gain:
- Spending time outdoors and connecting with nature.
- Building friendships and shared memories.
- Trying new activities and developing resilience.
- Gaining independence away from home.
Children take emotional cues from the adults around them. A calm, positive approach from parents and teachers can make a real difference for their first experience of a school residential.
Simple, practical ways to ease anxiety
Small steps can have a big impact when preparing for a school residential, here are some suggestions of how you can help:
- Pack an item from home such as a photo or small soft toy.
- Include a short note for them to read whilst they’re away.
- Arrange sleepovers with friends beforehand to build confidence.
- Pack together using YHA’s packing checklist so they feel prepared.
These strategies help children feel secure, even in a new environment.
Teacher guide
Teachers play a key role in shaping how both pupils and parents feel about a school residential trip. Here are some practical ways that will make that first experience away from home enjoyable for everyone.
Share information
Provide clear details about the itinerary, accommodation and safety measures well in advance. This helps reduce uncertainty and builds trust. YHA have an information pack that you can either send to parents or present at an information evening.
Normalise anxiety
Reassure pupils and parents that feeling nervous about a school trip is completely normal and that many children feel the same. We all feel anxious when something is happening that we have never done before or are unsure about.
Reassure them it’s safe
Be clear about supervision, staff ratios and safeguarding procedures so parents feel confident. All YHA staff are DBS checked and many hostels have received the LOtC Quality Badge, which means they’ve been assessed for safety, learning quality and curriculum relevance.
Prepare pupils in school
Talk through expectations, daily routines and activities. YHA will provide a pre-stay Group Leader Guide for your school with more information. Encourage children to share worries and address them together as a class. We have some great lesson plans and goal setting worksheets for students to do before their trip.
Set communication expectations for parents
Explain how updates from the residential will be shared (e.g. school website or text messages home), and why regular direct contact with children is usually discouraged to help them settle.
Helping every child take part
School trips can be transformative, particularly for children who may not otherwise have opportunities to spend time outdoors or away from home.
At YHA, we believe every child should have access to these experiences. Through accessible residential opportunities and funded programmes, we’re working to ensure no young person is left behind.
With the right preparation and support, children can move beyond anxiety and discover confidence, independence and a lasting connection to the world around them.
Ready to plan your school residential?
Our school trips are designed to support learning beyond the classroom, combining outdoor adventure, personal development and time in nature.
With locations across England and Wales, flexible options for schools, and support available through funded programmes, we’re here to help you create a residential experience that works for your pupils.
Explore school trips
Find out about funded opportunities
When extra support may be needed
For most children, anxiety about being away from home will ease with reassurance and preparation. However, if worries feel overwhelming or persistent, it may be helpful to seek advice from a GP or mental health professional.
Here are some useful websites:
Discover more about YHA.
