Planning family vacations with teenagers is a challenge, to say the least. There’s always the risk of places being too “kiddie” or “uncool” in the complex mind of a teenager. You want your family vacay to be a memory that lasts a lifetime for your teens, in a good way.
Typically, a great family vacation idea with a teenager includes an all-inclusive beach resort, water/amusement parks, international trips, skiing lodges, and just about anything tropical.
The word great and teenager are not always synonymous when family vacation is mentioned. If you have a teenager, you already know, but for those who are maybe thinking about taking a teenage niece or nephew on vacation, you definitely want to take notes. Keep reading to find out more information about these eleven great family vacation ideas with a teenager.
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Why Is Traveling With Teenagers So Hard
Traveling with a teenager is much like traveling with a mood ring. Depending on the conditions of the outside world determine what mood the ring or, in this case, the teenager will subject anyone within a three-foot radius of where they are standing too.
The weather, food options, a smell, or just the mere presence of any human can send them into a spiral of rolling eyes, sucking of the teeth, and a personal favorite slamming a door while they shout, “I hate my life!”
Of course, this isn’t true for all teenagers; there is that handful that is a dream to be around, but for the population who can personally identify with the scenario above, if you know, you know.
What Are Fun Teenager Things To Do?
If you ever run out of ideas on how to keep the fun times rolling with a teenager, listed below are some fun things to do to keep the peace and everyone’s sanity intact:
- D-Box Movie Theaters
- Laser Tag
- Paint Ball
- Indoor Water Parks
- Go-karting
- Indoor Sky diving
11 Great Family Vacation Ideas With Teenagers
The above ideas are great activities to do with teens while you’re on vacation, but what about vacation destinations? Where should you take the teens? Up next, we’ll share 11 great family vacation ideas.
All-Inclusive Beach Resort
Sun, sand, and crystal blue waters can relax even the toughest of teens. Throw in an all-inclusive pass of food, beverages, and resort attractions, and there’s a good chance you may even get full teeth to smile from your teenager. Most resorts have programs that cater to teens to provide a sense of independence but still have certified adults around to ensure everyone is safe. Activities can include water sports, dances, beach games, tours around the island, and so much more.
This is a great option for the whole family as the adults get to enjoy a quiet day at the beach, the teens get to burn off some steam, and then everyone can rejoice for dinner at the end of the day. It’s definitely a win-win!
Water or Amusement Parks
A vacation oldie but goodie, Disneyland is an excellent option for the entire family. However, even the happiest place on Earth may have its work cut out for it when it comes to captivating the heart of a teenager.
With a plethora of attractions, water parks, designated teen areas, and all the sugary snacks a kid could ever dream of, it’s hard to see how this vacation could be anything else but magical.
Other options include:
- Great Adventures
- Las Vegas
- Pirates Island Waterpark- Turks and Caicos
- Olympus Water and Theme Park- Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Dells- several water/theme parks to choose from
International Vacation
With Netflix shows like Emily in Paris, it is a good bet that most teens have Paris on their bucket list. While most adults haven’t seen this city of lights themselves, adding it to the family vacation list options sounds like a fabulous idea.
With plenty of museums, galleries, and of course, the Eiffel Tower, your teen will have plenty of Instagram-worthy photoshoots! While stunning in the summer with its lush green lawns and blossoming trees, Paris really lives up to its city of lights nickname during the festive holiday season.
Some other great international hot spots are:
- Mexico – Crown Paradise Club Cancun All Inclusive
- Hawaii – Aulani Disney Resort and Spa
- Spain – Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort
Ski Lodge Resort
It doesn’t matter the season; there is always a ski resort available somewhere in the world. Whether you are a first-timer, snowboarder, or avid skier, this family vacation is always a crowd-pleaser.
One of the top teen-friendly ski resorts is the Keystone Resort in Colorado, with year-round skiing activities, lodging, and dining options. Loaded with an array of mountains to ski, this family vacation will either tire out your teen enough where they won’t have the energy to have an opinion or be so much fun they will stay busy all day long.
Tropical Island Getaway
Islands such as Jamaica, Costa Rica, Maldives, or Bora Bora provide just enough sun, relaxation, and nonalcoholic pineapple, coconut drinks to de-stress anyone.
Whether it’s lying poolside in a beautiful resort with parrots and monkeys above you or snoozing by a white beach with water as clear as the sky, this family tropical island vacation is surely make your best feeling.
Plan your budget-friendly tropical getaway by exploring our guide to the cheapest tropical islands to vacation, ensuring a relaxing escape without breaking the bank.
Safari or Jungle Excursion
Being able to say you saw a giraffe or elephant on a safari trip to Africa or went searching for toucans in the Amazon Jungle is right at the top of a teenager bragging to-do list.
It is hard for anyone to be upset while driving through the beautiful terrain of a wildlife safari, watching the sunset on a family of rhinos off in the distance.
Road Trip
If paying air-fare and hotel accommodations at an all-inclusive resort is not in the family vacation budget this year, there is always the tried and true road trip.
While the idea of sitting in a car with a teenager for an abundant number of hours doesn’t at first glance seem like it will end well, keep an open mind. Whether it be within your state or cross-country, there are so many fantastic site-seeing attractions that are sure to make the car ride worth it.
Parents can research ahead of time and do a scavenger hunt game and up the anty by giving the winner a prize to make it a little more exciting. This added fun-filled activity keeps everyone busy in and out of the car.
Historical Landmark Trip
All kids have Social Studies in school, so it’s a guarantee they have heard of landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, Lincoln Memorial, Battle of Gettysburg, or Mount Rushmore. An excellent family vacation idea that is fun and educational could be visiting Washington DC, New Jersey, Philadelphia, or any other state with historical landmarks.
Almost any state you choose will always have an AirBnB that is within walking distance to all the main attractions as well as dining options.
If a hotel is what you are looking for, amenities such as a pool, game room, gym, and restaurant may be some items you’d want to research just for a little added bonus.
The Big Apple
New York City is known as the city that never sleeps for a reason, and for a teenager, that challenge is accepted!
This family vacation can be several countries wrapped into one state as you have areas such as Little Italy, Chinatown, Little Harlem, and Little India, to name a few. If not for the sightseeing experiences, a trip to New York can be all about the food experiences ad turn out to be the family trip everyone boosts about for years to come!
Cheap stay options is must to save on cost when you have big family group find the best hostels in the us to save a bunch.
Stay-cation
Not all family vacations need to be somewhere across the country or to some exquisite exotic tropical getaway; some of the best trips a family can take is right in front of their noses. A stay-cation, as the teens call it, is a vacation planned around all the things you’ve always wanted to do in your town but still haven’t fifteen years later.
Some in town ideas can be:
- Bowling Alley or Arcade
- Lake or Beach
- Museums and Art Galleries
- Make or paint your own pottery
- Hiking Trails
- An overnight stay at a local hotel or AirBnb
- Testing out some of the newest restaurants in town
Most teens enjoy the comfort of their own beds and home, so while you can spend the days and most of the nights exploring your town and surrounding counties, everyone gets to rest their head on their own pillow each night.
Themed Vacation
Typically a teenager has one or two hobbies under their belt; whether you have a space enthusiast, computer genius, the next Mozart, or artist extraordinaire, it is a safe bet to plan a family vacation around something your teen is passionate about. This can also include popular television shows and movies your teen is currently obsessed with.
Already mentioned above but definitely worth mentioning a second time, Disneyland, located in Florida, is a one-stop-shop for anything themed based that is aimed to please just about anything with a heartbeat.
A couple of other themed related vacations also include:
- The Palomar Observatory- San Diego, Epcot, Mission: Space – Florida
- Comic-Con, Computer History Museum- California
- Broadway Theaters- New York City, Las Vegas Musicals/Shows
Looking to plan your next getaway from San Diego? Check out our list of the best travel agencies in San Diego to find the perfect partner for a seamless and unforgettable travel experience.
Should I Surprise My Teen Or Ask Their Opinion Of Where To Vacation?
When surprising a teenager, the best path to follow is to determine how your teen has previously felt about surprises. If you know they are not the spur-of-the-moment surprise we are going on a road trip kind of teen, then it’s safe to say you may want to involve them in the planning process.
A possible solution would be to have several conversations throughout the year about where they would like to go and things they would like to do if a family vacation was to be planned. This way, when you surprise them with one of the items on their bucket list, you are more likely to be greeted with smiles instead of eyes rolling.
Conclusion
When surprising a teenager, the best path to follow is to determine how your teen has previously felt about surprises. If you know they are not the spur-of-the-moment surprise we are going on a road trip kind of teen, then it’s safe to say you may want to involve them in the planning process.
A possible solution would be to have several conversations throughout the year about where they would like to go and things they would like to do if a family vacation was to be planned. This way, when you surprise them with one of the items on their bucket list, you are more likely to be greeted with smiles instead of eyes rolling.