With small children, you just buckle them in and go. With teenagers, it’s a different story. If you leave them to it, they’ll stay home glued to their screens or hang out with friends. Bringing them along on a motorhome trip requires a bit more strategy.
Outdoor journalist Sylvie van Nieuwerburgh has been travelling by motorhome since 2018, and for the past two years with her beloved teenagers. Based on her experience, she shares 5 tips to get your teens excited about a motorhome trip.
1. Plan wisely – start with the “hardest” part
Parents usually enjoy hiking in nature. Teenagers? Not so much. Still, we know it’s good for them.
What works surprisingly well is scheduling it first thing in the day or even at the start of the trip. After that, you can motivate them with fun activities to come. We tried this in the German Eifel with the Keltenpfad in Gerolstein: a 9 km forest hike with a lookout tower. Beautiful and doable. Afterwards: a high ropes course and karting at Nürburgring. A perfect combo!
2. Choose campsites with something extra
A quiet nature campsite with nothing going on? Great… but not for teens. They want action and atmosphere. Choose campsites with extras: a pool, beach, sports facilities… or even a hot tub and campfire.
We found this at Camp Mangoeste in Aartrijke, near the Belgian coast. It’s a relaxed, rule-free campsite with a laid-back vibe, animals roaming freely and a fantastic hot tub.
Once my teens discovered it, they were sold. And best of all: it creates space for real conversations without distractions.
3. Book smart: activities first, campsite second
Sometimes it’s better to choose an activity first and then find a campsite nearby. We did this at Camping Jamboree in Blankenberge. Not a place for a full week, but perfect for a night because we booked a surf lesson.
No big waves that day… but we’ll try again. Biarritz, here we come!
4. Always bring bikes
Moving every day is fun, but not always ideal for teenagers. They also want to sleep in and relax. Staying longer in one place works better, especially if you bring bikes. They’re perfect for short trips or even just getting around the campsite.
In North Brabant, we stayed at Rucphense Weide near Breda. With bikes, we visited Oudenbosch, had dinner near the airport and went to water park Splesj.
5. Keep your cupboards stocked
Food equals happiness… especially for teens. Shopping together and filling the motorhome with snacks works wonders. Snacks within reach = instant enthusiasm.
And don’t forget the aperitif moment. A simple time to sit together, talk about the day and enjoy some snacks. Nothing fancy, just real connection.
Follow Sylvie on Instagram for more tips, stories and teen-proof travel inspiration.
