Matching activities to your teenagers
All teenagers are different, so it's important to tailor your holiday itinerary to suit their tastes and interests. For adrenaline seekers, sticking to adventurous outdoor activities, such as water sports, is the way to go, but those with a creative streak may prefer a project with an outcome, such as cooking or scrapbooking.
Many teenagers will have a better time if you let them bring a friend along, and giving this opportunity can often transform the holiday. Having a friend with them will improve their mood, keep them entertained and enhance the holiday experience for everyone.
There are also plenty of reluctant teens, which can make holiday planning more of a challenge. The most important thing to do in this case is not to force enthusiasm. Instead, start small by giving them a choice of two options, rather than one instruction, so they have more control. It's also a good ideal to give them the chance to opt out of one activity a day, so they can have time to themselves if needed.
Remember that there's a big difference between younger teens (13-14) to older ones (15-17) and take this into account when planning your trip. Younger teenagers are still likely to want to join in family activities, while older ones need more independence and would benefit from having plenty of time to themselves to recharge.