Summer is here, and people are finally traveling again! Just because your kids are getting older doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy an awesome family vacation! We have been traveling with our kids since they were babies. And mostly in our car. Our kids are 10 and 15 now, and honestly traveling with them just gets easier and better.
Here are some tips for traveling with teens and tweens to ensure your entire family has a fun and memorable trip. And with less stress!
Get their input on Destinations
Know what your children like. Get their input on what they would like to do and where they would like to go. You may have to compromise to make the whole family happy, but in the end, they are happier if their opinion counts. When you decide where you are going, ask them to research the places they’d like to see and the things they’d like to do.
Travel Games
Uno has always been a favorite for our children even as they get older. And it plays well in the car! The other one that they have fun with is Loaded Questions On the Go travel game for kids. It’s full of fun questions like, “What super power is not very super?” and, “Whose voice can you best imitate?” So much fun!
Don’t plan to sightsee the day of arrival.
Teens just want to get settled in when you arrive at your vacation destination. Keep in mind that the further the distance you’ve traveled and the bigger the difference in time zones, the longer it will take to get over jet lag. Plan an easy activity for your first full day of vacation. Get something to eat, walk around a bit, and maybe take a dip in the hotel swimming pool.
Feed Them Well
Teens are all about food. I can barely get enough food into them their bodies are changing so fast. Any sort of trip, tour or vacation with huge mountains of food is a winner with my teens.
Allow some time on technology
Of course you want them to be present and enjoy the vacation you are spending lots of money on! But times are different then when we were kids and they need their online connections, their gaming, YouTubing, streaming and memes. They love them. Make sure your hotel or Air BNB guest house has free, unlimited wifi for multiple devices.
Technology can be a great distraction during long flights or drives, too.
Let Them Sleep
Teens need more sleep than we as adults do. That doesn’t mean they can’t get up early if they have to, but they do need sleep. Tired teenagers are cranky teenagers!
Listening to guides in a big group is b-o-r-i-n-g.
Typically, teens don’t like big tours geared toward grown-ups. Instead, choose tours that are designed for kids their ages. Teens often prefer active tours on bicycles or Segways. Guides-on-tape and scavenger hunts are also a good idea for independent-minded tweens and teens.
Let teens wander into offbeat stores or museums.
Big kids may have interest in wacky shops and attractions that aren’t appealing to parents. That’s okay. You can choose to accompany them or sit outside and rest your feet while they wander. Which gives us older parents a chance to rest!!
Give Them Free Time
Much as we’ve enjoyed trips and tours where we’ve all been busy all day every day, a little downtime is good for them too. Mine sleep a lot, read a lot or check-in with the online world. Movies are good too.
Encourage kids to document their travels.
Most kids have smartphones with cameras now. Teens and tweens may want to take photos or create videos to share with their friends via social media. Encourage them by agreeing to pause so they can get the best shot and praising their pics.
I hope this helps you have a wonderful family vacation this summer! We all need it!
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