Activities like whitewater rafting, ziplining, surfing and stand-up paddleboarding often appeal to teenagers, even when they’re at the age where they’re not that excited about vacationing with their parents.Family travel falls into three distinct phases. First, there’s the exhausting period of travel with crying babies who need diapers, bottles, strollers, car seats and naps. Then come the golden years, when kids can handle long rides and long walks, when they actually think scavenger hunts are fun, and when they bask in their family’s love and attention.
But that’s followed by the challenging teenage years — because to a teenager, any place a parent wants to go is by definition uncool.
Here are five strategies to help you survive. It may not be cool for teenagers to travel with their parents, but you can definitely make it more fun.
FIND APPEALING ACTIVITIES
Teenage brains crave danger. Parental brains crave security. Fortunately, many activities are both thrilling and basically safe, like zip-lining, whitewater rafting and roller coasters.
Teens also like trying new things. Let them try surfing, stand-up paddleboards or snorkeling. No reason mom and dad can’t sit that stuff out, by the way — the kids will surely learn faster than you, and you wouldn’t want to be humiliated.