Planning a trip with your teenager can be both fun and challenging. It’s a great opportunity to spend time together, but planning can be hard because you never quite know what they’ll be into. As a teenage girl myself (with a younger brother who is also a teenager), I’m here to give you some insight into what is important to a teen when going on vacation. This will vary depending on the teen you are traveling with, but these tips should apply to most.
#1- Have a Big Scheduled Event or Experience Planned
Research online and ask your teen to help you plan something the both of you will look forward to. For instance, if you’re visiting Texas and your kid is a Spurs fan, you might want to take them to a game. Or take them on a cool adventure to try something new. This summer I got to swim with manta rays in Hawaii and it was an experience I will never forget. Taking them to a show is fun too. I loved going to Broadway and Second City when I visited New York and Chicago. Having a balance of relaxation and planned activities will keep a teen excited and create memories.
#2- Instagram Photos
As vain as it is, Instagram photos are so very important to a teen on a family vacation. Learn how to take proper photos for them. Ask them to teach you the techniques before you even go on the trip. Give them extra time and be patient when you feel as though a photoshoot is taking longer than it needs. Plan for extra time to work around this.
#3- Food
I feel like everyone loves a fancy dinner. The process of getting dressed up, ordering my meal, and feeling like a queen when I get a luxury dish is just unbeatable. My brother also loves it, but he loves all food. Look into special restaurants and take your teen out a few nights you are there. It makes the trip and destination much more memorable than if you only were to go to chain restaurants or dine in.
#4- Give Your Teen Some Spending Money
My dad surprised me with this on a trip to Santa Cruz we did over the summer and I really appreciated it. Depending on your budget the amount you give your teen will vary, but if you surprise them they will be grateful for any amount. I was able to get a new pair of flip-flops and a dress with the money my dad gave me and I wore it to dinner one night.
#5- Traditions
Having family traditions is something your teen will look forward to forever, even through adulthood. My family goes to a coffee shop in LA every time we visit, and it’s a simple tradition but it’s one of the things I look forward to most since my childhood. I have great memories there. Or when we visit Chicago, we always jump into Lake Michigan. That’s my brother’s favorite tradition because my dad always does it with us. Your teen will love it if you get into their world.
#6- Let Them Bring a Friend
Depending on the length of the trip and the distance you are traveling and what your family is comfortable with, offer to let your teen bring a friend with them on your trip. I brought my best friend on my family’s trip to Santa Cruz this summer and we had a blast. She was someone my family has known for years and the trip wasn’t too far so it worked out well for everyone since I still made time to hang out with my family.
#7- Give Them Time to Go out Themselves
Freedom is wildly important to a teenager. When everyone is settled down in the evening you might want to give them a chance to walk out and do something with their sibling or their friend if they brought one. This of course depends on the area and your boundaries, but it’s a good experience for them if it’s safe to do so. Having independence is valued heavily by teenagers.
#8- Comfortability
A teen wants to feel like they have enough space and wifi to be able to fully relax on vacation. Coming back from a fun outing they want to be able to watch a movie, kick back and scroll through their phone, or connect with friends. Staying at a hotel, motel, inn, or Airbnb with wifi is crucial. Not having to share a bed with your sibling on vacation is also a plus.
It’s important to accommodate everyone you are traveling with and find win-wins for everyone so the whole family stays happy. Age is good to consider when you are booking a trip because it is a big determinant of a person’s needs and wants. These are what a teen is likely focused on when on vacation.