Tips For Traveling With Preteens

Source: Tween Parent Staff

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Your kids are finally old enough to travel to interesting and faraway places. They are curious about the world, can manage time changes, long flights and don't need to go to bed early. With this in mind, you start planning the vacation you've put off for years. The issue? Now your kids would rather stay home and hang out with their friends. TweenParent.com has created a list of tips to cultivate enthusiasm in the most sullen adolescent.

• Choose your destination as a family. Get your kids to talk about the types of things they enjoy doing on vacation. Share what you enjoy doing on vacation. Then brainstorm together about different locations that could accommodate everyone's needs.
  
• Let your kids do some planning. Buy some guidebooks, do some research on the internet and have your kids make a vacation wish list.
  
• Learn the language. If you go abroad, get a phrase book and let your kids practice talking to the locals.
  
• Think outside the box. Don't just to do the predictable on vacation. Find something fun and offbeat to enjoy as a family. 
  
• Enjoy related books and DVDs while you are there or before you go. The Thief Lord is a great read for kids while in Venice. Watching the Sound of Music before going to Austria may make your tween climb every mountain. 
  
• Let your kids be in charge of the map for a day. It's a great confidence builder and will help them put into context where they have been.
  
• Take chances. Let your kids pick the restaurant.
  
• Give your preteen a little extra spending money. If you are visiting another country it will be fun for them to figure out the exchange rate. 
  
• Do nothing. Taking a day off during a busy vacation to read on the beach or hang out in a park is an opportunity to refresh everyone. 
  
• Bring books and electronics. Books, iPods, game boys and other small gadgets are a great way to keep kids entertained during long trips. For long car rides you may want to consider bringing books on CD that the family can listen to together.
  
• Welcome surprises and enjoy the adventures. Your family is creating memories that will last a lifetime.
  

Books to inspire you and your family:

500 Places to Take Your Kids Before They Grow Up

Amazing Places to Take Your Kids: Hundreds of North American Adventures

Share your suggestions and ideas about traveling with preteens:

Travel section of the TweenParent Community