Family days out when you have teenagers

I have lost count of how many times I have suggested a nice family day out, only to be met with a ‘Kevin and Perry’ moment from the teen. And of course our days out as a family are getting few and far between, as both children spend more time with their friends.

Family days out when you have teenagers

But holding on to precious family time is really important to me. In just over two years, the teen could well be heading off to University. So instead of my ideas being met with a resounding NO, I asked them to give me some ideas for our family days out together.

Theme Park

We are really lucky that we live an hour from both Alton Towers and Blackpool Pleasure Beach. With both parks getting new rides this year, I think we are definitely due a visit during the summer months. Whilst I don’t tend to go on the rides, I am more than happy to watch the kids having fun, and of course the husband who is the biggest kid I know.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Zipworld in North Wales

We recently enjoyed a day out at Zipworld in North Wales, where we loved watching the husband fly down a zip line at over 100 miles an hour. We all agreed that it would be the perfect activity for us to do as a family, if I was ever brave enough to do such a thing. In the meantime I will keep my feet on the ground, and be the official photographer for the family.

Velocity at Zip World

A day trip to a nearby city

One day out that we all agree on is a trip to a city. Living in the middle of Chester, Liverpool, and Manchester, we get to visit these cities quite regularly. And whilst I have visited Birmingham a few times, I would love to go there as a family. Our trips are always full of culture, shopping, and finding new places to eat.

Driving Experiences

I can’t believe that in just over a year, Morgan will be learning to drive. I remember taking my very first driving lesson the day after I turned 17, and it’s nearly time for my eldest child to do the same. To get him used to being behind the wheel, I would love to book him in for a Junior Driving Lesson. Track Days offer experiences to children between 11 and 17 years, so even his younger sister can join in the fun.

A trip to a Waterpark

Waterparks are great for all ages, and when you have teenagers you might even get some time to relax whilst they hit the slides. We hired a Cabana at the Sandcastle Waterpark in Blackpool a few years back, and it was a brilliant day out. Plus it had its own hot tub, so I bet you can’t guess where I spent the majority of my time.

Outdoor Activity Parks

Kids love getting filthy, but even better than that is getting mum and dad filthy too. We have visited a few outdoor activity parks that our close to where we live, and we always come away shattered, covered in mud, and our faces aching with laughter.

Crocky Trail Chester

What do you like to do with your teenager ? Do you have any family days out planned for the summer ?

*This is a collaborative post*

14 thoughts on “Family days out when you have teenagers”

    • The kids love getting involved in our days out, because I choose the most boring places…. their words not mine lol x

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    • My theory is that they get more expensive, but you go on less of them when they get to the teenage years. We need to book a theme park in for the summer, and think we might head to Blackpool Pleasure Beach x

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  1. It’s so challenging, isn’t it? My daughter is obsessed with the idea of water parks and theme parks, but we don’t have either of them locally. I wanted a day out yesterday and my first two suggestions (the seaside – Weston-super-Mare) and walking in the Malverns were rejected. We ended up going to Bristol and just wandering around, that seems to be the only thing the whole family is happy doing (obviously also works well with London, but that’s further away!).

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    • It really is hard pleasing everybody, and you have an extra child to please too. Must admit I suggested Chester tomorrow, and everybody agreed with happy smiles. A huge parenting half term tick for me lol. Would love to visit Bristol one day, infact would love to try and visit more cities as the kids are getting older x

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  2. Some great ideas, I have a 15-year-old (plus two little ones) and it so hard finding days out my eldest enjoys. Theme parks are a big hit with her and things that are a bit action packed. It can be so expensive keeping them entertained though can’t it? xx

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    • It is certainly expensive, but we now go on less days out so I am thinking it all balances out in the end. I can imagine it is hard finding days out when you have a teen and little ones too x

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    • Do you remember those days when you could just pick them up and take them anywhere on a day out, and they would NEVER complain lol x

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  3. Some great ideas there. It is so much harder when the kids get older, we find that the teen doesn’t want to do anything with us now which makes me sad, but like you said he just wants to hang out with friends. I would love to go to Zipworld, that is on my list for this summer as it looks amazing

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    • Zipworld is amazing Nikki (not that I would be brave enough to do it), but I loved seeing Hywel zipping down over the quarry. You could make a break out of it as it’s close to Anglesey and Llandudno x

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