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 when you have teenagers are getting few and far between, as both children spend more time with their friends.
But holding on to precious family time is really important to me. Our youngest will be heading off to University in September, and I am determined to have as much fun as a family this year. 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. Both parks offer a fantastic day out for families with teenagers, and we have been to both parks several times over the years. Alton Towers has great rides such as The Wicker Man, and new for 2024 is Nemesis Reborn, a popular ride which has been revamped for this season.
If you are visiting this summer, booking online is highly recommended, and with online ticket prices from £29, it is an affordable day out for all the family.
If you live down South, then thrill seekers still have Chessington and Thorpe Park to choose from. Both parks are excellent, and if you have teens that are thrill seekers, then I would recommend Thorpe Park for a day out. As with Alton Towers, online ticket prices for Thorpe Park start from just £29 per person.
Chessington is where you get the best of both worlds, a theme park and a zoo all together, and this could appeal if you have teens and younger children in the family. Whilst we have not been to Chessington in 8 years, I still have very fond memories of our trips there when the children were younger. Chessington also has a great themed hotel, and is perfect for a few days away in Chessington and the surrounding area.
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.
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 and York a few times, I would love to go there as a family on a day trip. Our trips are always full of culture, shopping, and finding new places to eat.
Driving Experiences
One of my children is currently learning to drive, but did you know that you can book a driving experience for your child from the age of 11. This is a great idea to get them used to driving a car in a safe and controlled way. Track Days offer experiences to children between 10 and 17 years.
A trip to a Waterpark
Waterparks are great for all ages, and days out when you have teenagers usually don’t give you time to relax. However, when we hired a Cabana at the Sandcastle Waterpark in Blackpool a few years back, we had a great time, and I even had plenty of time to relax as the kids went and hit the slides. Plus the Cabana 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 are close to where we live, and we always come away shattered, covered in mud, and our faces aching with laughter. You can read more about the Crocky Trail in Chester here
I hope I have given you some ideas of days out when you have teenagers. If you have any more ideas, please let me know and I can add them to this blog post.
*This is a collaborative post*
Great ideas for days out. It’s so important to get ideas to include the whole family no matter how old the kids get isn’t it.
The kids love getting involved in our days out, because I choose the most boring places…. their words not mine lol x
Fab ideas Tracey – days certainly seem to get more expensive as the kids grow don’t they! We love a trip to a theme park xx
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
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!).
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
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
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
Its hard to get a balance isnt it but I totally agree Tracey the way forwards is including them in the decision rather than planning and expectations not being met x
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
What good ideas! At the moment my two still like a park trip or soft play but I know these days will flash by. Great tips 🙂 xx
Thank you Jess. Ah I miss those park trips, but soft play not as much lol x
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
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