Travelling with teens can be immensely rewarding, and also extremely frustrating. Here are some tips to help make the most of your trips with your teenage kids.

1. Involve them in your travel planning
Teens are learning to be independent. If you force them to travel with the family, they may dig in their heels and spoil your trip with sulking and bad behaviour. Rather than telling your kids where you will be going on holiday, involve them in the decision making process. Sit often as a family and discuss where each family member would like to go and what they would like to do there. Decide as a group where you will travel to (make sure each kid has a turn to pick the destination), and then spend time chatting about what there is to do on the trip, and get everyone excited about the destination before you visit.

2. Take technology in the car (with earphones!)
In South Africa, most of our travels are done by road, and the teens tend to get fractious stuck in the back seat. For long road trips, technology is a family’s best friend! iPads, smart phones and DVD players are the bomb! Make sure each kid has a set of earphones so they can each be watching their movie, listening to their music or playing a game without interruption. This is a great way to avoid fights, and can help create many miles of peaceful travel.

3. Confiscate and lock up the technology at your destination
Once the journey is over, lock away all the technology. This forces the family to interact with each other, and appreciate the environment. Make this a clear rule for all your travels, so it doesn’t come as a surprise. Teach your kids early that there is a time and place for technology, and that holiday is not the time.

4. Ban the TV, pack some cards
We try and never turn the TV on while on holiday. I always pack 2 packs of playing cards wherever we go, and I am always amazed how much fun and interaction such a simple form of entertainment can create.

5. Feed them often
Teens are growing at a rapid rate. My boys get really ratty and unpleasant when their blood sugar drops low. Often they don’t even realise they are hungry, but when they start behaving like monsters, its most often the explanation. Eat breakfast, lunch and dinner each day while on holiday and take snacks along for the morning and afternoon, so you are never left high and dry.

6. Take turns to braai
Braai-ing (or barbequeing) is a big thing in South Africa. It’s more than the food – it’s the experience. Lighting a fire, the smell of the coals, sitting around chatting and watching the meat cook. Let your kids take turns doing the braai-ing. It helps them feel grown up and important, and teaches them a great life skill (particularly if you live in SA!).

7. Give them some freedom
Providing your holiday is in a safe environment, let the teens have some space. Give them some freedom to explore and do some activities with other teens without the parents present.

8. Let everyone take a turn choosing an activity and all join in
Equally as important as having time to themselves, make sure everyone spends quality time together. We usually see what there is to do in an area and then discuss it around the braai on our first evening. Each kid gets to choose an activity, and everyone has to take part.

9. Eat dinner together, and talk about your day
Something as simple as a family dinner together becomes magical when recapping the highlights of your day, and talking about your plans for the next day. Make sure you sit around a table to eat each evening meal together as a family.

10. Take loads of photos and videos
Your teens will remember these trips fondly, and appreciate the memories during their lifetime. We make a holiday video highlight clip after each trip, and add photos to our digital photo frame on our kitchen wall.

Do you have any more tips for families travelling with teens? Let us know by commenting below!