Bring order to the chaos with help from Google
Want to keep the household running smoothly during the break? Google can help with that.
Google Home is your secret to thriving, not just surviving, when the children are off school.
There's nothing quite as magical to children as the words 'no school'. For parents, it's not as simple: the disruption of routines, the constant demand for activities, and the juggle of work and childcare can leave even the most mentally prepared parent feeling overwhelmed. Google Home is here to help – think personal assistant, holiday club leader and DJ all rolled into one. Here's how you can make the most of your smart home to stay organised, provide some much-needed structure and even remind you to actually leave the house once a while.
Shared family calendar
No more double-booking or missed practice
Field trips, play dates, swimming lessons and more. Make sure that everyone is on the same page (and in the right place!) by sharing your family calendar so that it's easily accessible on your compatible smart displays and speakers.
Tasks
Let Google keep track of your to dos
Prioritise making memories, not wrangling to-do lists. Quickly add tasks or reminders as they occur to you, and just as quickly move on to something more fun. They'll automatically sync to your Google Tasks, so you can stay organised without missing a beat.
Timers
An oldie but a goodie to keep the peace
The classic lifesaver for managing screen time, transitioning between activities or even for those inevitable sibling squabbles. Every parent knows the power of the timer; with Google Home, setting one up any time you need it is as easy as saying Hey Google'.
Get out and about with Nest Wifi
Children are often happiest when they're outside in the sun and fresh air. Nest Wifi can help get them there.
Family Wi-Fi
Sunshine over screen time
Need to peel everyone away from screens? Family Wi-Fi is a parental control feature that lets you pause the Internet to any device on your Nest Wifi Pro, Nest Wifi and Google Wifi networks. Schedule Internet time-outs in advance or pause Wi-Fi access on demand to encourage the whole family to head outdoors for a back garden adventure.
Automations
Put the fun in fundamentals with automations
Smart home automations help your household maintain structure. But they can also be a lot of fun. It's easy to set up automations in the Google Home app. If you're looking for something more advanced, the script editor on Google Home for web allows for even more customisation.1
Naptime wind down
Naps can be a daily challenge with your toddler. Make sure that the odds are always in your favour with an automation that closes the blinds and turns on the night light at the same time each day to help your little one wind down.1
Naptime cheat code
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2pm
Repeats every day
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Noah's room blinds
Close 100%
Night light
Turn on
Play white noise
Noah's Nest Mini
Help me script
Try entering this prompt into the script editor's 'Help me script' panel:
Every day at 2pm if I'm at home, close the blinds in Noah's room, turn on the night light and play white noise on the speaker.
Clean-up countdown
Tidying up and putting toys away at the end of each day isn't everyone's idea of fun. But it can be. Why not set an automation to encourage kids to race to clean up and get to the dinner table first?1 The winner gets a prize, like extra dessert or the chance to choose the after-dinner board game.
The clean-up game
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6pm
Monday–Friday
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Children's room lights
Flash three times
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'Clean-up challenge time! Get ready!'
Children's room Nest Audio
Play the 'Children's Music' playlist
Children's room Nest Audio
Help me script
Try entering this prompt into the script editor's 'Help me script' panel:
At 6pm on weekdays, flash the children's room lights three times, broadcast 'Clean up challenge time! Get ready!' and play the 'Children's Music' playlist
Dance break
Want to relieve the stress of a long day? When you can see a squabble brewing or the kids are about to climb the walls, kick-start an impromptu dance party to lift the mood.1 It's a surefire way to encourage everyone to let loose, dance and shake out the sillies together.
Instant dance party
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'Hey Google, let's get dancey!'
Custom query
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Living room lights
Turn on, set to purple
Play the 'Dance Break' playlist
Living room speakers
Help me script
Try entering this prompt into the script editor's 'Help me script' panel:
When I say 'Hey Google, let's get dancey!', set the living room lights to purple and play my dance break playlist.
Now you're ready to dive in
Google Home isn't just a smart home platform; it's your partner in parenting, your source of fun and your ticket to a break filled with laughter, connection – and maybe even some precious moments of peace and quiet.
Even more to explore
Discover the latest products, new features and inspirational ideas
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1
Home automations require additional enrolment and setup, and depend on working Internet, Wi-Fi and service availability from Google and third parties that manufacture devices included in the automations. Requires a compatible smart device.