4 tips for caravanning with teens

If you’ve got teens or tweens and you’re trying to get them excited about going on a caravanning holiday with you, depending on your kids you may be in for a lot of work.

Below I’ve written 4 tips to help everyone have a more enjoyable time on the trip:

1. Involve them in the itinerary

When it comes to planning out your itinerary you and your partner are probably used to doing it alone, even if you’ve planned a heap before with kids in tow.

However, now that you’ve got a tween or teen, things get a little trickier.

Try to involve them in planning your holiday; ask them what sites they’d like to see, where they want to explore and what kind of activities they’d like to do.

If you can incorporate some cool activities like surfing, going to older kid type theme parks, some more extreme sports, etc you may have an easier time convincing them that hitting the road with the parents is something they might actually enjoy.

2. Don’t switch off

This goes against the most basic of all caravanning rules. While you and the rest of the family might be excited for a chance to switch off, explore the wilds without work interruptions and real world distractions, older kids are probably going to feel very different.

It can be extremely daunting as a kid to lose contact over a long holiday with all their friends.

While you, your partner and your younger kids may have a rule to switch off to help relax into your new surrounds, it’s a good idea to have a separate rule for your teens. If you really want them to switch off then maybe consider letting them have a few minutes of phone or Internet time per day so they don’t feel too cut off from their friends.

3. Ensure full bathroom facilities

When caravanning with older kids, it’s always safest to find good campgrounds with full bathroom facilities, including toilets, shower and power to plug in hair dryers, straighteners etc. The better the facilities the better the teens will behave.

Don’t expect them to go without shaving and washing their hair just because you feel like it. They won’t. Believe me.

4. Places to visit nearby

When staying at a caravan park or campsite always ensure there’s plenty to see and do around the grounds.

Don’t let your kids or teens get too bored and always schedule in some fun activities when on a long round trip.

Older kids will have pretty short attention spans and while you’re happy relaxing and kicking back, reading a book on the beach, you can bet the kids will get bored long before you do.

Have you ever taken your teenagers on a caravanning trip? Do you have any extra tips to add? Please share in the comments below.

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20 Comments

- - june11 said
  - 06 Feb 2016
    5:37 pm
Bear in mind that if you hire an on-site caravan or cabin you will have to supply, or you may be able to rent linen etc.

- - mom152736 said
  - 31 Oct 2015
    11:42 pm
That was helpful tip.

- - EllenG89 said
  - 30 Oct 2015
    3:15 pm
I don’t even think with tips I would ever want to go caravanning with teens hahaha

- - hopefullyheidi said
  - 27 Oct 2015
    1:03 pm
Thanks for some great tips

- - mom113055 said
  - 06 Oct 2015
    6:17 pm
trying to get them exited
- mom94125 replied
  
  18 Oct 2015 , 5:15 pm
  yes def include them so that they will enjoy it and also it gets them out of the house too
- - dannsbuild said
  - 28 Sep 2015
    11:49 pm
This is really good to know! Great tips as well!

- - Melanie said
  - 23 Sep 2015
    5:50 pm
Some great ideas here.

- - mom109009 said
  - 20 Sep 2015
    7:31 pm
I’m sharing this with a friend who has a holiday coming up with his teenage daughter and he’s still in the early planning stages.

- - mom103920 said
  - 20 Sep 2015
    3:50 am
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Kirsten. I wholeheartedly agree with points one and four, teens are happier with input into the itinerary. Many of the places we travel don’t have good reception, so point two is modified to try and make it near a town about twice a week. Enough to still feel connected but still switch off. As far as bathroom though, even though our van has an ensuite, water is precious and often limited, so its bucket baths most of the time. Its made the kids appreciate the luxuries they have at home much more, and they try to conserve water when we’re home again too. Based on my teens, I’d add one more tip too. Let them have a sleep in some mornings. Whilst the younger kids might like to jump up and have an early morning walk or game of ball, or the desire to pack up and get on the road to the next destination might be alluring, teens don’t always share this enthusiasm, and a well rested teen is much happier than one dragged out of their bedding.
- mom94125 replied
  
  18 Oct 2015 , 5:14 pm
  yes def include them so that they will enjoy it
- - june11 said
  - 19 Sep 2015
    11:55 pm
If you don’t plan on using a caravan, some parks have on-site cabins.- some have ensuites . Some have more than one bedroom which means the adults and teens don’t share a bedrooms. At that age they treasure privacy. Some also have some activities or plenty of empty space nearby where they can go to amuse themselves. If you are near or on the beachfront they might go swimming. Encourage them to help make the arrangements.

- - Rachel said
  - 19 Sep 2015
    4:57 pm
Great advice … I travelled with teens in the past and it’s been a nightmare each teen is different so planning is def the key

- - mom113055 said
  - 18 Sep 2015
    4:11 pm
caravanning

- - mom74640 said
  - 18 Sep 2015
    11:39 am
Lke it

- - Gorgeybee said
  - 18 Sep 2015
    10:22 am
Will have to ponder the ‘don’t switch off’ concept a little longer……it’s not sitting well with me at the moment. I think it’s important to teach our kids the skill of being able to do life without daily exposure to the internet world and/or phones. Perhaps by the time our three enter into teenage-hood I will have changed my mind though
- mom93821 replied
  
  19 Sep 2015 , 6:07 am
  Most of the places we visit do not have mobile/wifi reception – so there is no choice but to switch off! I love it! It is important to just ‘be’ without technology!
- - mom81879 said
  - 18 Sep 2015
    7:46 am
I’ve never been caravanning with teenagers. I’m imagining a nightmare time though, that’s just remembering what I was like as a teen, I’m picturing moody, bitchy……yes I was a horrible teen :/ I can picture a fun time with younger kids and just myself and hubby when we’re older, being grey nomads

- - mom93821 said
  - 18 Sep 2015
    7:08 am
Thanks for this article – very timely with the warm weather and getting out and about. Porta loos are good to take with you and then there is no need for a full amenities block. There are so many wonderful pieces of equipment and gadgets at camping stores. Even portable showers!

- - mum4107 said
  - 18 Sep 2015
    5:36 am
I don’t have a teenager yet, but great tips, thank you