Active Family Holidays with Teenagers: Creating Memories Beyond the Pool

Active Family Holidays with Teenagers: Creating Memories Beyond the Pool

Having worked in the travel industry for over 30 years, travel has always been a huge part of our family life. We‘ve holidayed through every stage of childhood, from packing buckets and spades for toddlers to figuring out how to keep teenagers entertained. One thing I've learned along the way is that family holidays need to evolve as our children do.

When our children were younger, life was simple. A good pool, plenty of ice cream and an all-inclusive resort were usually enough to guarantee a happy holiday.

We discovered Ikos Resorts and loved the combination of excellent food, beautiful surroundings and the ease of knowing everything was taken care of.

They're still among my favourite recommendations today, both for families and couples, and as a member of the Ikos Prestige Travel Agent Club I'm able to offer clients some fabulous additional benefits when booking.

As our children grew older, though, their idea of a great holiday changed. The pool was no longer the main attraction, and kids' clubs were never used! Today's teens are looking for something more. They crave experiences, adventure, independence and, perhaps surprisingly, meaningful time together as a family, even if they wouldn't necessarily admit it!

Over the years, some of our favourite memories have come from stepping outside the traditional beach holiday.

We've watched wildlife on safari, island-hopped around Thailand, fed rescued elephants, explored cities like Singapore and Bangkok, and taken road trips through Canada and California.

Closer to home, we've loved discovering the Alps, snowmobiled across frozen lakes in Finland, and explored the islands of Croatia, Montenegro and Greece and Italian cities and lakes - when I write it all down, we've clearly been busy!

Teenagers just thrive when they're actively involved in the experience. Whether it's zip-lining through a jungle canopy, learning to paddleboard, tackling mountain bike trails, snorkelling alongside tropical fish or simply navigating a new city, there's something wonderful about seeing them fully engaged in the moment rather than glued to a screen.

One destination that really exceeded expectations for us was Sri Lanka. Between the wildlife, train journeys through tea plantations, cultural sites and beautiful coastline, there was always something new to discover. Africa remains another favourite for its incredible safari experiences, while Egypt brings history to life in a way no textbook ever can.

For families looking for a more active holiday, there are some fantastic options available. Companies such as Neilson and Clubmed offer a great mix of watersports, cycling, tennis and organised activities. Skiing, along with summer hiking and biking in the Alps or Dolomites, is also a wonderful way to spend quality time together.

Further afield, destinations like Thailand, Japan and Costa Rica work brilliantly for multi-centre adventures.

One trip that will always stand out for me was Morocco with my son. From wandering through the souks of Marrakech to quad biking across the desert and sharing lunch with local families in the Atlas Mountains, it was full of memorable moments.

If family travel has taught me anything, it's that the memorable holidays don't always have to be the most luxurious. And teens may not always put their phones down willingly, but give them an adventure, a challenge or a new experience, and suddenly those screens become much less important. That's when the best family memories are made.

Every family is different, and the right holiday looks different for everyone. If you're looking for ideas for your next family adventure, whatever stage you're at, I'd love to hear what works for you all and help you find the perfect fit.