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Activities with teenagers – how to make a family trip a success

Doing things together with your parents is not always at the top of teenagers' wish lists. They often have their own ideas about what makes a successful family trip. While many adults would like to take it easy, young people usually want a lot of action, ideally topped off with a visit to a fast food restaurant. But what do you do if all your parents' suggestions are rejected because hiking is "just stupid", the museum is "boring" or the boat trip is "really uncool"? It is definitely not advisable to give in regularly and put your own needs aside. If parents don't feel like techno parties, paintball fights or hunting Pokémon, they should be honest about it. The solution, as is so often the case, lies in a successful compromise.

Activities for all ages

A variety of activities ensure that the trip is a real experience for all family members. A selection:

• Many amusement parks offer a great mix of activities for teenagers and adults. For younger siblings, there is often a petting zoo or a children's railway, so everyone gets their money's worth.
• Special theme parks offer dinosaur lovers, technology freaks or film fans the opportunity to immerse themselves in their favorite topic.
• Water parks also often appeal to people of all ages. Adults enjoy a few relaxing sauna sessions while the kids let off steam on the fast-paced water slide.
• Most young people have a strong passion for animals . A stroll through the zoo, a visit to the wildlife park or a trip to the horse farm is fun for young and old.
• Sport also offers many opportunities for family activities, whether in the climbing park, on the football field or on a bike trip.

So everyone has fun – some tips to combat bad moods

Not all wishes can be fulfilled at all times. Every family member should therefore be able to give in when the majority has made a decision. However, it is important that giving in is not one-sided in the long run. Those who give in to the family's wishes this time should be given special consideration when planning the next activities. When it comes to destinations that involve costs, parents should also have the final say and, if necessary, have suggestions for cheaper alternatives ready. With a little skill, even seemingly boring activities can be turned into real adventures. If you suggest a round of geocaching instead of a hike, you can hope that teenagers will be really enthusiastic about exercising together in the great outdoors.

If even the most careful planning doesn't help and young people are determined to boycott the day together by being in a bad mood, then it's a good idea to take a deep breath and stay calm. If there is no acute reason for the negative mood, it's probably just a pubescent tendency that will disappear in the course of a relaxed day. If joint activities are often so stressful, then it's a good idea to increase the amount of free time. Spending free time with people of the same age is often the better solution.