Things to do with Teenagers 

Teenagers tend to get a bad rap. But the chances are that your teen isn’t lazy; that they are, in fact, willing to extract themselves from TikTok. It’s just going to take something a bit more exciting or imaginative than a countryside walk to generate enthusiasm. So, whilst naturally, we would encourage you to enjoy the many and beautiful walks to be enjoyed in the area(!), what else is on offer to keep them entertained during their holiday?

Haldon Forest Park, 3,500 acres of elevated woodland just 10 minutes the other side of Exeter, boasts miles of well-marked trails and activities for all ages and all abilities. There are many beautiful walks, as you might expect, but if your teens are anything like ours, the suggestion of a ‘nice, long walk’ might be met with a sigh and an eye-roll. However, off-road cycling is much more enticing! The forest tracks are graded a bit like ski slopes from the easy, green “Discovery Trail” to challenging black “extreme” Ridge Ride. Download the map. Or how about testing your balance on a Segway: ‘Eco-Friendly Personal Transporters’? Taster sessions on these and longer tours are available. Glide along the tracks, taking in the panoramic views and try to keep up with your kids!

Image: Cycling on Haldon

If you’re comfortable with heights, then head for the trees! Go Ape is described as “the ultimate tree top experience of wobbly bridges, intricate crossings and an awesome zip wire finale”. Young people 10-16 can spend all day out on their treetop adventures. Over 16s can explore alone, but under 16s need to be accompanied.

Go Ape Haldon Forest Park, Image by Robin Stott on Geograph CC BY-SA2.0

We’re lucky enough to have two “flipping fabulous” trampoline parks near Forest Glade. iBounce in Exeter and Flip Out in Wellington are great rainy-day alternatives. Flip Out boasts a “stunt zone” and the dodgeball courts at iBounce are perfect for competitive teens to let off some steam.

Trampoline Park by Ralph Bean on Flickr CCBY2.0

Head to Dawlish Warren for a day of traditional seaside fun. With its amusement arcade, small funfair, go-kart track and gift shop, Dawlish Warren is perfect for a day of time-honoured traditions. Plenty of old-fashioned sweets, ice cream and donut stands stand at the back of a lovely, clean, sandy beach.

Dawlish Warren Image: Colin Smith on Geograph CC BY-SA 2.0

On the outskirts of Cullompton, The Bear Trail really is an outdoor play space like no other; it’s a (very) muddy family assault course! Climb, clamber and scramble over 30 obstacles, getting very muddy in the process. Even on hot, dry days, they keep the mud nice and squidgy! It’s fantastic fun. They’ve recently added some hot showers, but as they advise on their website, it’s still worth making sure you wear old clothes!

Yes, you really will get this muddy!
Image by David Mark from Pixabay

Whatever your age, you can’t fail to be blown away by the panoramic views of Dartmoor. If your teen spends a lot of time in their room, or in front of a screen, getting them up onto the wilderness of the high moor will be priceless. The air is different. You can swim in the rivers, spot Dartmoor ponies and visit prehistoric settlements all in one day. The colours, the big skies and the drama of the rocky tors is unparalleled. Steeped in history and myth, the moor can’t fail to appeal to young imaginations and was certainly an inspiration to the writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who conjured up his story ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’ after visiting Dartmoor. If you need to make your visit more purposeful then try letterboxing, or its more hi-tech equivalent, geocaching. The National Park website has an excellent page covering all outdoor activities on Dartmoor. Be aware that the weather can change very quickly on the moor, so ensure your teens are well-prepared for cold and rain, even in summer! Read our Dartmoor and Exmoor blog.

Climb a Dartmoor Tor – Image: Maria Thorne

Continuing the Sherlock Holmes theme, Excape Exmouth’s ‘The Game’s Afoot’ escape room will have the whole family working together to find the clues you need to escape. Alternatively, Exeter’s Locked in a Room experience also lets you enjoy watching your teen become immersed in a fun and challenging scenario and experiencing that sense of achievement when they solve the puzzles!

If something a little more high-octane is more your teen’s kind of thing, then book a session at Quad World near Cullompton, or the karting track at Greendale, RaceWorld.  Skirmish Devon, near Exeter have a choice of 10 exciting activities, including paintball, airsoft, laser and archery tag.

Sometimes a simple trip to the beach can be just what a teenager needs to forget their troubles. They can relax in the sun, take a dip in the sea or try out a new water sport. Read about our favourite beaches, or perhaps encourage them to try the latest trend in water-based activities: paddleboarding.

Kite Surfers at Exmouth Beach Image: Maria Thorne

Have you discovered geochaching yet?  A high tech treasure hunt, you can find out more on this website.

If all else fails, animals are usually a winning addition to any day and you can find out about all our nearest zoos and wildlife attractions in our earlier blog.