Holiday with teenagers? Tips for an unforgettable time

It can be quite a challenge: finding a camping area that both you and your teenagers are excited about. So that you both have an unforgettable holiday. We have collected a number of teen-proof activities for you to help you search and find the best destination.  

Near

Canoeing

The first activity we recommend is canoeing, because it allows you to discover the area together. Enjoy being active and adventurous while you become familiar with the camping area. In the meantime, things can sometimes get exciting, for example in the sections that contain rapids. These rapids are created by openings in dams, when you go through them you can go down at high speed.

Do you and your teenagers need even more challenge? Then you can also go to an area where you can go whitewater canoeing. For the real daredevils. Beautiful/fun canoe areas can be found in France, for example these two beautiful locations in Southern France.

Quadbike riding

The second activity we recommend is quad biking. There are many campsites in, for example, the Netherlands, Belgium and France where this activity is offered. Quad biking is popular among young people. They can (following the instructions) race around the terrain and have fun.

What makes quad biking so much fun is that you can go as fast or slow as you want on this cool vehicle. That gives an extra feeling of freedom. You can look for campsites that have quad biking in their program or choose an area where you can make beautiful quad trips. In the beautiful Ardennes, for example, the possibilities for quad biking are enormous, many companies offer tours there. Also fun for teenagers in the Ardennes: climbing in a quarry.

Visit to a cave

Are you in a mountainous area? Then there is a chance that there is a cave nearby that you can visit. Listen to a tour guide together and find out how the cave came into being and why it looks like this. Most children find this very interesting. Want to make it a little more exciting? For the real daredevils you can opt for caving. This is visiting the cave in an adventurous way, for example you go climbing and abseiling in the cave. For really beautiful caves we recommend a holiday in France On. The caves there are large and beautiful inside.

Windsurfing

This activity is more fun and difficult than you think, it requires calmness and good balance. There are often companies at beaches or lakes that give windsurfing lessons. If you have done it before and don't want lessons, you can of course also just rent the necessary equipment. This activity is nice and different. Many teenagers have never done it either. That immediately makes it adventurous. A good area for windsurfing is Lacanau, it is located in France and is one of the best (wind)surfing beaches.

At the campsite itself

Laser gaming/paintballing

These two activities are regularly found at campsites. Laser gaming and paintball are not only fun activities for your teenagers, but also for you! In both activities the aim is to hit as many people as possible and eliminate the other team. This creates a pleasant and competitive atmosphere. The winners of the competitions are often rewarded with a prize.

Table tennis

Yes, this activity is also on the list, this is of course the real camping sport. And it's an easy way to get to know people. Your children can simply stand at the table and ask if they can join in for a round. The best advantage of this activity is that almost every campsite has a table tennis table, whether you are in the Netherlands or Spain. So don't forget to pack some table tennis bats and balls.

Bossabal

Ever heard of bossabal? Probably not yet. This is an unknown sport not only at the campsite, but also in everyday life. It combines volleyball, football and gymnastics. Bossabal works about the same as volleyball, only the surface you stand on is different. You are standing on an inflatable playing field. There is also a trampoline with one person standing on it. For the rest, approximately the same rules apply as for volleyball. This sport is offered in the summer in the activities program of some campsites in the Netherlands, such as camping Bakkum. Something nice and different.

To get an impression of bossabal, here is a video:

Club/disco

It's like old times: the teenage disco. And yet still popular. There are plenty of campsites with a club. And they also attract other teenagers, because most of them can be found at a party. This way your children will also immediately meet other peers. Of course no alcohol under the age of eighteen, but fortunately teenagers can also have fun on the dance floor without alcohol. If you think that a club and a good night's sleep do not fit in the same sentence, then simply choose a campsite with a soundproof disco. Your children will have a great time and you can enjoy the peace and quiet.

Ghost tours

Some campsites offer ghost tours. A special activity that is only suitable for the toughest people at the campsite. The tour usually takes place in the evening to make it extra exciting. Your children can also sign up to play a ghost or zombie themselves and scare other camping guests. Dutch Campsite Geversduin is really a top campsite for hauntings, where ghost tours are regularly organized in collaboration with the Samenspelen foundation.

Also fun with teenagers

Serial story telling

Another fun activity is serial story telling. Nice to do in the evening, for example, when you are all sitting around a campfire. Add marshmallows and the party is complete. The game works as follows. Someone starts a story and is given half a minute to do so, the person next to him (left or right) continues with the story and is allowed to use a maximum of two sentences. The next one may happen and this may continue, but the game can produce hilarious scenarios.

Three camping tips

Tip 1: Holiday park Stoetenslagh in Rheezerveen–Hardenberg, with an extensive program for young people.

Tip 2: Recreation park Samoza in Vierhouten. Program especially for youth aged 13 and over.

Tip 3: Camping Bertrix in the Ardennes. Dutch-speaking campsite with many activities, swimming pools and outdoor sports.