Tips for taking teenagers on a road trip

The teenage years don’t need to spell the end of family road trips. Amber Cree finds life lessons and special moments waiting on the horizon.

I’m becoming more and more relaxed by the gentle rocking motion of our VW Kombi, then I suddenly become aware of the unusual silence from the back seat. I turn to investigate. “They’re both asleep!” I announce to my husband Keenan, referring to our two teenage girls, Coco and Indigo.

We’re only 10 minutes into our trip. “It’s off to a good start then”, he replies happily. One of the perks of road tripping with teenagers: there are plenty of opportunities for them to get some shut-eye on these long drives, a win-win for all as we enjoy some quiet time, and they get much-needed rest.

When children grow into teenagers

Our days of gallivanting around the countryside with joyous little ones bursting with enthusiasm came to an abrupt halt – or so we thought – when our daughters crossed over into the tumultuous teenage years. But we soon learnt that this new chapter, with teens in tow, has all the makings for great memories and family bonding, just like when they were younger, if not more so.

There’s a world of teenage-specific life lessons in the great outdoors, full of endless adventure, exploration, independence and connection with family and nature, albeit with a few adjustments… and the occasional must-have Wi-Fi signal, of course.

Joint planning and decision making

Any successful trip starts with planning. While little ones will generally leave holiday making decisions to parents, teens on the other hand have their own ideas. We include our girls in these decisions, considering their thoughts on places they’d like to go and things they’d like to do.

And when it comes to the more hands-on trip preparation, they take responsibility for tasks like packing their own bags, games and books. This gets them excited for what is ahead and allows them to feel empowered by making choices for themselves. Even meal planning is a joint effort, as we’re guaranteed a harmonious trip when the pantry is well stocked for all tastes.

Education on the road

Setting up our temporary classroom for the day on the pristine shores of the Indian Ocean on the Western Australia coast – with its white sands, gentle sea breezes and endless horizon – I ask myself, “Could there be a better place than right here, among nature, for a young person to learn?”.

Yes, taking extended breaks to travel with high school-aged kids has its own set of challenges, yet the benefits far outweigh any drawbacks. When travelling, every moment is an opportunity for learning something new. We find a mix of distance education and self-guided learning works for us, and our girls respond well to this, absorbing everything around them and broadening their skills, knowledge and perspectives far beyond a classroom. Any complaints about schoolwork quickly abate with the promise of a dip in the calm, blue waters at the end of the day.

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Balancing screen time and the outdoors

I fondly think back to the days when I would watch our young girls play happily at the camp table with a makeshift cardboard laptop they had crafted from an empty box. As teenagers, this isn’t ‘cool’. Technology is important to a teen, so we try to find a balance with minimising screen time.

Going cold turkey doesn’t end well, and there’s the all-important Spotify playlist to consider. Although, for the most part, we like to set the devices aside. Thankfully, the lure of the screen is soon forgotten as we immerse ourselves in the outdoor world around us – nature has a wonderful way of reminding us there is far more to life than scrolling.

Independent activities

Perched high on a clifftop, above the unspoilt beaches of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, we watch our girls become mere specks in the distance as they venture off down the long stretch of sand. We ponder how far we should let them wander on their own: they are young explorers, navigating the uncharted landscape of adolescence with all the independence a teenager seeks, as well as the world around them.

This is a necessary part of the journey, allowing them the space to be free and to discover on their own, while mum and dad are comforted in knowing they are safe here in nature’s playground. This welcome time out is especially important when spending long lengths of time together in the otherwise confined space of our van.

Back at the campsite, it’s our favourite time of the day: the sun is low in the sky, the birds are making their final calls before they roost in the overhead branches, and we can finally kick our feet up after a long day of exploring. The girls set off into the surrounding bushland on a mission to see who can find the best marshmallow stick.

This is a time we all cherish – coming together as a family with a common purpose: gathering wood, making a fire, sharing a meal and reflecting on the day’s events. With s’mores in hand, we end the day as happy campers, smiles on faces – teenagers included!

This article originally appeared in Caravan & Camping with Kids magazine. Subscribe to the latest issue here.

All images © Amber Cree/Summer of 75

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