More popularly known as pre-teens, tweens are kids between the ages of 9 to 12 years old. This period is when your kid is not a little child anymore but is also not quite a teenager yet.
Tweens are now at the age of having their own hobbies and interests. Unlike vacations with toddlers, finding the best vacations for tweens is a bit more challenging. You must choose a destination that they find interesting so they will continue to engage with the whole group. Check out our list of some relaxing vacations to enjoy with your tweens.
Preparing for a Vacation with a Tween
The pre-teen years are a very influential period for kids. They gain more friends in middle school, explore new hobbies or sports, and may begin to experience peer pressure. These are also the years that your kids may start experiencing changes in their bodies, signaling the start of puberty.
When vacationing with tweens, it is best to keep their newfound interests and hobbies in mind. It is important that the tweens feel that they are respected and loved. This will help create a positive environment for your tweens to feel safe in. It is also essential that your tweens are given a voice to communicate, especially with the many changes they are experiencing.
Be sure to consider these two factors when planning a vacation with your tween.
1. Destination
Tweens may get easily bored or too hooked on their gadgets. Choosing a destination is crucial for them to feel excited about your trip and have something to look forward to. A great way to select your destination is to ask their opinion on where you will be vacationing.
>> Keep your lips moisturized with a stick of lip balm.
2. Activities
Again, remember that your tweens are slowly building their own hobbies and finding their interests. These interests can change every year as they discover more about themselves. So, whatever they are interested in now, make sure that you incorporate those activities in the trip.
Amazing Vacation Spots for Tweens
Here are five of the best vacations for tweens.
Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, Arizona
The Tanque Verde Ranch in Arizona is a family-friendly destination and one of the best vacations for tweens. Built in 1928, the ranch is an ideal destination for families to experience different activities together.
It offers board and lodging packages for families. It also has a supervised children’s program for kids aged 4 to 11 years old. Activities that can be enjoyed here include horseback riding, cowboy cookouts, hiking, trail biking, swimming, fishing, and more!
Enrolling your tweens in the children’s program will allow them to learn new things independently. While your kids are off doing activities, the adults can spend some time in the spa, doing yoga, playing tennis, and more recreational activities. After a whole day filled with activities, you can enjoy a nice family dinner around a campfire while exchanging stories of your day.
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
If you are a family that loves adventure, visiting a national park is for you. At the Rocky Mountain National Park, you will enjoy exploring the different hiking trails. While hiking, you will be treated to a magnificent view of the Rockies, glistening lakes, vast greenery, and maybe even an elk or two.
You can easily book a camping trip at this national park. It has a dedicated campground where you can either pitch a tent or park your RV. Just make sure to check the weather bulletin before visiting the park, as some trails and roads are sometimes closed. The best time to go camping is during the summer.
The best part of visiting the Rocky Mountain National Park is the Junior Ranger Program being offered to kids from 6 to 12 years old. The program allows the tweens an opportunity to complete park activities and earn a badge. Just head to the Junior Ranger Headquarters to sign up for the program.
Snow King Mountain, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole is a unique vacation spot that your tweens will fall in love with. It is an attractive destination for cowboys, ranchers, and mountaineers. Nowadays, Jackson Hole is popular for its ski resorts, but there are still a lot of unique activities that tweens will enjoy.
Head to the Snow King Mountain to experience adventures like no other. It is a family-friendly activity park that will get your adrenaline pumping. You can purchase a day pass for unlimited rides on the popular Cowboy Coaster, Bungee Trampoline, and Scenic Chairlift.
While at the park, you can also play some mini golf, go mountain biking or hiking, and for the more adventurous, you can even try bouldering. The best part about this huge playground is that you can experience each activity regardless of your skill level.
Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater is among the best vacations for tweens because of the beautiful and family-friendly beaches. Located off the Florida gulf, Clearwater is sure to have something for everyone.
First on the list is the beautiful Clearwater Beach. With its fine sand and pristine waters, it is no wonder that is a top destination for families. The water is warm in the Florida Gulf, and you are sure to enjoy splashing in the waves at any time of the year. Aside from swimming in the soothing waters, you can also enjoy other fun water activities, like dolphin watching. Spending a whole afternoon at the beach and watching the sunset together is a wonderful way to end your day.
While in Clearwater, don’t miss a trip to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where you can see dolphins, sea turtles, stingrays, and a lot more marine life. There are also educational programs that your tweens will surely enjoy.
Universal Orlando Resort, Florida
For an exhilarating adventure, spend a day or the whole weekend at the Universal Orlando Resort. The rides here are world-class. Your tweens will surely enjoy screaming their lungs out on the roller coasters and other attractions.
What makes Universal Orlando Resort unique are the different themes that the park offers. Rides are usually themed so that the park guests will experience being in the world of some popular movies, like Transformers, Spiderman, Jurassic Park, and more.
Aside from the exciting rides, your family will enjoy dining at the different restaurants spread out around the park. Again, these restaurants are usually themed to fit in with different movies and TV shows. You can dine with The Simpsons, feast on a delicious Krusty Burger, or have a soothing Butterbeer.
Another highlight of the Universal Orlando Resort is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. If your tweens are obsessed with this magical world, they can surely spend an entire day just at this part of the resort.
Conclusion
During your child’s tween years, they will want to explore their own interests and seek more independence. They are slowly maturing physically, mentally, and emotionally. They may prefer to do things on their own as they transition towards becoming a teenager. Thus, it is important that you find the best vacations for tweens that the whole family can enjoy.