How much say does the Generation Alpha in your family have over where you go on holiday? Or to put it another way, what's the key to travelling with teenagers?
Gen Alpha are the kids and teens born after 2010. They are tech savvy, digital natives, and increasingly influential over our holiday decisions.
A survey of 10,000 travellers with Gen Alpha children found that they valued keeping the family entertained as the most important part of their holiday, that convenience is more important than price, and that kids are increasingly taking part in the holiday planning process.
Which is great news for holiday parks in France!
The Key to Planning with Teens
The secret to a smooth holiday with teenagers? Let them have a say! Teens crave independence, and when they’re part of the planning process, they feel valued and invested in the adventure ahead.
Start by asking your teen what they’d like from the holiday – is it beach days, the chance to try new sports or activities, lazy days by the pool, seeing new sites or something else?
You might be surprised by how much they’ve already thought about what makes a great holiday, so getting them involved at the planning stage can have lots of benefits.
You can influence their choice by presenting a list of options that meet some or all of their requirements and then factoring their favourite into your final decision.
Once the destination’s been decided, encourage your teen to research their activity ideas and must-see sites. Changes are they’ll search for information in different places to you – Instagram and Tik Tok are likely go to’s – so there’s a good chance they’ll come up with brilliant ideas that you hadn’t even considered!
Knowing that there will also be a few days of the holiday for the things they really want to do can really help with buy in from your teens, and you might even find that their suggestions are more fun than you imagined.
Tips for Travelling with Teens
The start of every holiday includes a day of travel. Whether you fly or catch the ferry, there will be stresses and misunderstandings, wrong turns and last-minute panics. But there’s lots of planning you can do ahead of time to minimise teen grumbles.
Travelling by Ferry
The ferry-and-car combo gives families loads of flexibility when travelling to France. The obvious benefit is that amount you can bring with you - no need to worry about small suitcases and mountains of clothes and accessories, or cabin bags that you can’t cram everything into, travel by car and you can fill your boot!
This is great news for entertaining teens who can pack all their must-haves, whether it’s a gaming console, books, toys or anything else.
Ferries are great fun too, especially on the longer crossings from Portsmouth and Plymouth to France’s west coast. For teens, it’s like the holiday starts as soon as you board. With plenty of space to explore, they can enjoy the freedom of moving around, grabbing snacks at the café, or even trying out the onboard games and entertainment. There’s usually a range of activities, from arcade games to cinemas, so they’ll have lots to keep them entertained. And let’s not forget the thrill of standing on the deck, feeling the sea breeze, and spotting land as you approach France. It’s a unique experience that combines travel with adventure, making the journey just as memorable as the destination!
The downside of travel by ferry can be a long car-ride to reach your final destination. The drive to the popular west coast holiday parks is around five hours, but a journey to the sunny south coast can take around 12 hours, so be prepared!
Keep your teen involved by putting them in charge of navigation (thanks to Google Maps!), picking out pit stops, or even choosing a scenic detours, if you’re in no rush.
Travelling by Plane
Flying to France with teens can be smooth and stress-free with a little planning. Airports can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially with the hustle and bustle of check-in, security lines, and waiting to board. To help keep stress levels low, encourage your teen to take charge of certain tasks, like managing their own carry-on bag, handling their boarding pass, or choosing snacks for the flight. Giving them some responsibility can make them feel more in control and keep their focus on the adventure ahead.
Packing a few essentials like headphones, a favourite snack, and something to read or watch (you won’t get an in-house movies on the short haul flights to France!) can also help ease any nerves and keep them entertained during downtime. If your teen feels anxious about flying, sitting together, planning some calming distractions like movies or music, and bringing along a travel pillow or cozy hoodie can make the experience more comfortable.
Making the Most of Holiday Park Days
Once you’ve reached your destination, it’s time to remember that holiday parks are the perfect playground for teens to enjoy freedom and fun, with plenty of opportunities to get them involved in daily activities.
Start each morning by giving them a small role – whether it’s heading to the local boulangerie for the daily baguette, setting up the breakfast spread, or helping with preparations for a family barbecue later in the day. These small tasks give them a sense of independence and a little ownership over the family routine.
For teens with an active social life back home, being torn from their group of friends might seem like the worst thing about going away from a week. Choosing a holiday destination with other families of the same age will allow your teen to satisfy their need for sociability. At Siblu, we offer Teens' Clubs on many of our parks where 12-15-year-old’s can get involved with sports, arts and evening fun with people of their own age.
Siblu holiday parks also bring a huge variety of activities that teens can dive into. From sports courts and swimming pools to organised events and even dedicated teens clubs on Siblu parks, there’s always something happening that’ll keep them entertained, and the social atmosphere makes it easy to meet other teens from different places.
The key to a stress-free day is to agree on regular meet-ups so you can check in with each other and give your teen chance to relax with the family (sometimes they need the change of scene!), while still giving them the freedom to explore on their own. With so much to do on-site, from sports to socialising and downtime by the pool, holiday parks let teens enjoy their independence in a safe, vibrant environment – and parents get to relax, knowing there’s always a plan to reunite.
Exploring France’s Beaches and Seaside Towns
France has an incredibly varied coastline, so it’s possible to pick a destination based on your teen most likes to do.
For example, Normandy’s beaches are packed with history with lots of Second World War museums and attractions to appeal to bookish youngsters who enjoy history. Brittany’s beaches are similar to Cornwall – lots of hidden coves and beautiful clifftop walks.
The Vendee and Charente Maritime on France's west coast are a dream for anyone who loves watersports, with Atlantic waves creating giant sandy beaches and providing hours of fun for teens who like to play in the sea.
Head beyond the Garonne, to the Gironde and Landes on the south west coast and the waves grow, making the part of France a favourite for surfers.
The vibe changes on the south coast, where the Mediterranean offers warm, calm waters and golden sandy beaches – perfect for teens who prefer lounging by the sea or snorkelling in clear, shallow bays. This region also boasts glamorous seaside towns, beach clubs and glitzy promenades, ideal for those who enjoy a more relaxed, social atmosphere.
Discovering France’s Towns and Cities
Exploring France’s towns and cities opens up a world of cultural discovery for teens, letting them dive into new experiences, sights, and sounds that make each place unique. Wandering through historic streets, admiring beautiful architecture, and soaking in the local atmosphere adds a whole new dimension to their holiday – one filled with the excitement of discovery. Every town has its own charm, from quaint cobblestone lanes lined with cafes and shops to bustling squares where street performers, market stalls, and art displays come together to create an unforgettable experience.
Encouraging teens to be curious travellers can be as simple as giving them a few “explorer” tasks. They can hunt for souvenirs, try ordering food in French, or take charge of capturing the day’s best moments on their camera. It’s all part of immersing themselves in a different culture, helping them learn about customs, food, and art that might feel entirely new. Whether it’s sampling local pastries or visiting a traditional artisan’s shop, they’re not just seeing a new place – they’re experiencing a new way of life.
The Important of Travelling with Your Teens
Don’t let the challenges of traveling with teens put you off! These years are just as precious as when they were younger – if not more so. Embrace the opportunity to explore places and try activities that would have been out of reach when they were little. Treasure this time together, creating memories that will last long after they’ve embarked on their own adventures. After all, these shared experiences become the stories you’ll all look back on with a smile.