Tired signs in shool-age kids

[DocDCT]

Most parents understand when their toddler or pre-schooler is getting tired, but with older kids it may be less obvious. Yes, of course a 10 years old or so should be able to tell you when she needs some rest, but in practice this is not always the case. Maybe they don't want to leave the parks, maybe they feel old enugh to stay up late, maybe they refused to take a needed nap... for wathever reason, kids of any age sometimes swear they are "not tired" even when they are actually exhausted. Also, often at this age irritability, oversensitivity and bad mood tell a tired kid more than a clear "sleepy" look.
Do your kids usually admit when they are tired in the parks? What are the signs that tell you that they need some rest even if they deny it? Did you ever failed to recognise these signs until a "disaster" occurred?

 

[SandyinMonterey]

My daughter has never had a problem telling me she is tired, especially at Disney. When she's done...she's done and doesn't hesitate to tell me.

 

[PHXscuba]

My kids got grumpy without cause, snapping at siblings, whining etc. But they rarely thought they were actually tired. Usually they'd say they were hungry.

We tried to head it off with alternating long and short days and taking it easy in the afternoons on the long days.

Another solution was to hit a dark theater experience after lunch. I think at least 4 of our group of 6 conked out during the American Adventure, and I'm not certain my husband has stayed awake all the way through it any of the 3 times he's seen it.