Best summer vacation with tweens

Summer vacation with tweens is something we have been looking forward to all year long. There’s no doubt that this is probably the best time of the year for most parents who finally have some rest and quiet at home. But anyone who has spent time with their kids knows summer can be both stressful and fun at the same time — especially if you travel.

As a parent of tweens, you are probably aware that there are so many excellent summer vacation ideas. My 4 girls each have different interests and styles. I love the time we spend together as a family but it can get hectic deciding what to do each day. Here is an itinerary of our last summer vacation so that you can use these ideas on your own trip and make it a stress free experience.

Summer vacation is here and tweens are thrilled about all the time they will have to spend playing with friends, listening to music and practicing what they have learned on their instruments this past school year. If you have the same summer plans as many do – spending a lot of time at home while they’re off from school, you probably want to make the most of these carefree months and have some exciting activities planned for your tweens that will get them out of the house this summer.

Summer is upon us and if you are big tween fan in your life, then you’ve probably heard that it’s not really summer without a vacation! There are so many fun activities for kids to enjoy during the summer months. The only problem? There are just so many options — how will you decide?

Summer is a great time to take your tweens on vacations. There are so many options, and it’s an exciting time for them! Here are five great options for summer vacations with your tweens:

1. Camping

Camping is a classic summer vacation that offers plenty of opportunities for fun, fresh air, and fresh food. If you’re worried about managing your kids in the wilderness, consider staying at a campsite that has activities like swimming pools or playgrounds.

2. Theme parks

Theme parks offer a wide range of activities that are sure to entertain your kids! They can ride roller coasters and play games at the arcade, or they can just spend their days wandering around enjoying the sights and sounds—there’s no shortage of entertainment at a theme park! If you’re worried about sunshine exposure or crowds, consider visiting during off-peak hours or on weekdays when there will be fewer people around.

3. Beaches/water parks/resorts

Taking your kids to the beach is always a great idea—they’ll love playing in the sand and water! If you want something more than just sitting out on the sand all day long, try taking them to one

When the weather starts to warm up and the days get longer, it’s hard to think about anything else but summer vacation. But what if your tween has never been on a real vacation? Maybe you’re still saving up for that Disney trip or maybe you don’t want to go on vacation at all. Whatever your reasons, here are some ideas for fun, affordable summer vacations with kids that won’t break the bank.

1. Visit a theme park

Theme parks are great because they’re full of things to do and see, but they also have lots of rides and activities that make them perfect for families with kids who are too young to ride alone. And since there’s so much going on at theme parks, it can be hard for kids to get bored! Theme parks offer great photo opportunities as well.

2. Go camping

Camping is another great way to get out in nature while spending time together as a family. You don’t have to worry about crowds or lines because everyone else is doing the same thing! You can even bring along some friends if you like and make it a group activity. If you’re looking for something different from just sleeping in tents or trailers then try glamping! Glamping means glamourous camping

1. DUDE RANCH VACATION

We did a dude ranch vacation at the Nine Quarter Circle Ranch in Montana a few years ago and it is still one of our best teen vacations. There is just something about the way the kids and adults come together and bond over a week-long experience in nature. It is a great way to disconnect, enjoy nature, and have some good old-fashioned fun as a family.

Dude ranches come in all levels of luxury and amenities so you need to pick wisely to best match your family. I would recommend a ranch vacation for families with tweens and younger teens, unless you call ahead and find a week when many other teens will be visiting. And you may need to find one that offers activities beyond riding like waterskiing, ziplining, hiking, fishing, boating, and more.

And while dude ranches are most popular with families in the summer, they can also be a lot of fun when there is snow on the ground, either around the holidays or if you have a February or March break. We spent a March spring break at the Vista Verde Ranch in Steamboat Springs, Colorado and it was incredible to enjoy snow shoeing, Nordic skiing, snow tubing, horseback riding, and other snow activities in the Rocky Mountains. Plus, Vista Verde Ranch has an amazing culinary program — I’d go back just to enjoy the food and bring only my stretchy pants.

2. NATIONAL PARKS TRIP

When you are looking to take a break from the busy, technology-filled life, there is no better place than our wonderful National Parks for the best vacations with teenagers. But don’t just drive through on road trips, make sure you stop and get outside.

Most parks offer amazing hikes and wildlife viewing and others have access to activities like horseback riding or kayaking. Often there will be a state park nearby that has even more opportunities for adventure and will be much less crowded. Given the popularity of national parks in recent years, be sure to check the park website or social media to learn if you need reservations to enter (especially Rocky Mountain National Park and Glacier National Park) or a permit to do certain hikes (like in Arches National Park).

Some of our family travel favorites to national parks have been:

• Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota (no crowds, beautiful scenery, and great wildlife)
• Smith Rock State Park in the Bend area in Central Oregon (amazing rock climbing and not too far from the stunning Crater Lake National Park
• Grand Teton National Park (great hikes and lakes)
• Yellowstone National Park (amazing wildlife, landscapes, and thermal features)
• Custer State Park in South Dakota (as well as Badlands National Park) in the Black Hills

3. THEME PARKS

Yes, you may have done the obligatory theme park trip when the kids were young, but it can be a whole different experience with teens. Instead of Princesses and Character Meet and Greets, it is all about the rides and immersive experiences. As the Universal Orlando commercials show, some parks are more for big kids.

Between the thrill rides, Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and special age 13+ events like Halloween Horror Nights, Universal Orlando is a great pick for teens. And if they love water parks, Volcano Bay and Margaritaville’s H2O Live both offer truly innovative features and attractions.

And now, Disney has certainly stepped things up with the addition of Galaxy Edge for Star Wars fans and the immersive Pandora – The World of Avatar, in Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World. I know plenty of “big kids” (ehm, young adults) that still love a theme park vacation — including my nephews who have gotten engaged at Disney or have taken a honeymoon to Disney.

But don’t worry, if you don’t love theme parks, there are still plenty of other fun things to do in Orlando or Los Angeles.

4. ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORTS

All-inclusive resorts are great for when you want to plan a multi-generational trip to make memories with the whole family. However, I have found that it helps to either bring a friend for older teens if they don’t have any family members the same age, or make sure you find a very teen-friendly resort.

Plus, an all-inclusive resort gives teens a little independence and you don’t need to worry about the tab they are running up for virgin Pina Coladas at the swim up bar.

Two amazing resorts for teens are the Grand Velas Riviera Maya and Beaches Turks and Caicos. Grand Velas has a tricked-out teen club and tons of activities. Beaches is the only resort that I’ve seen that includes activities like snorkeling and scuba diving (as well as a gigantic X Box Lounge.)

We have tried some luxury resorts like the Ritz-Carlton Aruba and the Four Seasons Costa Rica, and even the kid-centric Atlantis that have been nice too, but the kids really love the relaxing atmosphere and freedom they can have at a stand-alone, all-inclusive resort. My friend Kirsten has some great suggestions for all-inclusive resorts in Costa Rica.

5. OUTDOOR ADVENTURE TRIPS

National Parks are great but if you want to kick the adventure up a notch, an active adventure trip will keep everyone going. Perfect for adventurous teens, these outdoor trips offer opportunities for family bonding in a way that few others are able to. And remember, if you aren’t sure if a full-on adventure trip is for everyone in the family, just pick a destination that offers a variety of outdoor adventure activities and mix these in between other sightseeing or relaxing.