Easter break may not be a happy time for children

income, gender, age and ethnicity.

Children were happiest overall during term time, and less happy during school holidays, with Easter the worst time.

This was the case whether or not the child was successful at school.

“The effect showed for long holidays such as Easter and summer vacations as well as for shorter (up to one week) public holidays.

“Thus, however good or bad school may be, removal from the school context is associated with satisfaction losses,” the paper said.

The study also suggests that some children are cooped up at home during the holidays, because of factors such as a lower availability of public transport.

It suggests that the Government should be focusing on providing activities during holiday time to improve wellbeing, particularly for less well-off families who can’t afford to go away.

Dr Knies said: “Holidays are an integral feature of modern life in developed countries and it is surprising that children are, on average, unhappier during the holidays than during school term.

“Holidays are typically viewed as an important vehicle to maintaining a high quality of life but this may depend on whether you are sitting in the driver’s seat or not.

“Many activities children would engage in during term time stop during the holidays and friends may not be around.”

White boys and girls from ethnic minorities have lower than average levels of satisfaction with their lives, the research also found.

The looming prospect of exams during the summer term is also a potential reason why children feel particularly unhappy during the Easter break.