Are you keen to organise a sun-soaked getaway with your family? Do you want to make sure it’s a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone? Then we’re here to help.
We understand it can feel tricky to please everyone, particularly if you’re travelling with teenagers. If you want to make the trip a success, take a look at our five tips below.
- Involve teenagers in the planning process
You can ensure your teenager is engaged and excited about the trip by involving them in planning.
This could include deciding where to go, which accommodation to book and what activities to do while you’re there.
This will ensure that their interests are considered and that they feel like their opinions are important.
- Balance independence and family time
Give your teenager some autonomy during the holiday to unwind or engage in activities independently as well as with the family.
Balancing independence and quality family time can help your teenager feel like they have control over their itinerary.
Speak to them about which activities they’d like to do together so everyone has clear expectations about what you’ll be doing and when.
- Choose teen-friendly destinations
When searching for summer holidays abroad, it’s worth shortlisting destinations that appeal to your teenager.
For instance, you could look for places with adventure sports, cultural experiences, fun excursions and tech-friendly spots so they can stay connected with their friends.
Some popular family-friendly destinations in Europe include Spain, Portugal, Greece, France and the Canary Islands.
- Be flexible and allow downtime
While you may be keen to create an action-packed itinerary, it’s important not to over-schedule your kids.
Give them time to relax and unwind to avoid them burning out. Remember that teenagers often need more sleep than adults because their “body’s natural sleep pattern, hormones and circadian rhythm change during adolescence” says Bupa.
This may mean that they “naturally fall asleep later, then sleep for longer and wake up later than adults”. So it may be worth avoiding too many early starts during your trip!
- Help them pack appropriately
We know you’ll want to make sure they have everything they need during the holiday, but rather than doing all the packing for them, it’s worth teaching them how to pack for themselves.
This fosters responsibility and will help prepare them for any independent travel they do in the future.
Depending on their age, you could ask them to pack their own suitcase, write them a packing list to follow or do it together. You can discuss what they’ll need, such as appropriate clothing, toiletries, sunglasses, hats and so on.
By following this advice, you can plan a fun-filled holiday that your whole family will enjoy. Bon voyage!
