Summer break is finally here! Are you planning a road trip? It’s a great way to explore our country, especially smaller towns. Take your time and explore as you go instead of rushing to your end destination.
Airplane or travel by car for your upcoming vacation?
There a few advantages of a road trip. Can be more economical to drive instead of flying especially if you have a larger family. If you have the time, don’t just drive straight through. Explore along the way.
It’s a great way to explore multiple destinations. The vacation becomes the trip and not just the end destination. Hit up some major cities, major tourist destinations but also explore the smaller towns.
Maybe you’re moving or staying somewhere a few months and want to have your car with you at your end destination so make the trip your vacation. If you have teenagers, you may get eye rolls when you bring up the idea. Once on the road, they may just try to stay in the car or hotel room instead of getting out to explore, grumpy that they’re not with their friends and away from their video games.
So how to make road trips fun for teens? It’s only a short time before they graduate and they’re on their own so we want to spend (and enjoy) our time with them. It can also be a great way to bond with them – car rides have been where my son and I have had some of our best talks.
8 Tips for Making Road Trips Fun for Teenagers
one: Let them map out the route. Teens are more engaged with activities when they have input. Tell them how many days you want to travel and what destinations are set. Let them do research and come up with a travel route and stops along the way.
two: Let them drive. If they have their driver’s permit or license this is a great time for them to get in practice time.
three: Make stops at Instagrammable spots along the way. Teens are all about posting to Instagram so help them fill their feed during the road trip.
four: Add in stops and activities that will interest them.
- Do they love professional sports? Go to a game or tour a stadium
- Do they love clothes and shopping? Find the best mall in the city and let them shop for a few hours – everyone else can chill in the food court
- Do they love anime? See if there are any local events along your route.
- Do they love horses? Find a place that offers trail rides.
five: Before you leave on your road trip, head to Target and give them money to load up on road trip snacks. Many teens are motivated by food. My son will look forward to activities if we’ve packed special snacks.
six: Put them in charge of the road trip playlist
seven: Create a road trip food challenge. Pick a specific food and purchase it on your trip. Create a rating system and have everyone rate each stop. Fried chicken, pizza, ice cream, donuts…so many options. Great way to get everyone engaged and looking forward to the next stop.
eight: If you have room, let them invite a friend.
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