One of the best vacations to go on with teenagers is to the beach. You can do a wide range of fun activities together as a family, including going to a water park, sunbathing, swimming, surfing, snorkeling, kayaking, beach games, and sports such as obstacle course, volleyball, bonfire, football, etc.
The key to the best family vacation with teenagers is proper planning. Decide on a suitable vacation destination, book one of the best resorts for teens and families, and make the necessary travel arrangements in time. Another crucial aspect of a successful trip is packing. This article will provide a packing list for the best family vacation with teenagers.
But first, here are a few tips to make packing for your teens easier:
- Discuss the upcoming family trip with your teen. Provide them with details about the destination you will be going to and your itinerary. It will get them excited about the trip and enthusiastic about packing.
- Discuss with your teen the items they will require. Then help them to come up with a packing list – refer to the packing list provided below for guidance. Keep in mind that teens are not like younger kids. They have developed their own preferences, and it is best to give them a say on the items to pack.
- Let them pack for themselves. You do not have to feel overwhelmed with doing all the packing by yourself. Let your teen use the packing list you created together to pack for themselves.
- Once done, confirm that they have packed everything on the list. You might need to help them organize the luggage for all the items to fit.
Packing List for the Best Family Vacation With Teenagers
Clothes
Pack comfortable and casual clothes for your trip. You should check the forecast for your destination to determine the type of clothes to bring. Pack enough clothes for outdoor activities you will be engaging in beyond the beach, e.g., going to restaurants, shopping malls, art galleries, museums, etc.
Here are some clothes to bring for each person on a seven-day beach vacation with teens:
Male Teens and Adults
- 3-5 bottoms, e.g., shorts, jeans, joggers, etc.
- 3-5 vests
- 3-5 shirts or t-shirts
- 1-2 light sweaters or jackets for the evenings (more if the weather is rainy or chilly).
- 1-3 pajama sets
- Undies pack at least 1 for each day
- 1-2 pairs of socks if you are bringing sneakers
- 2-3 pairs of shoes – 2 pairs of sandals or open shoes and a pair of sneakers
Female Teens and Adults
- 3-5 bottoms, e.g., shorts, jeans, sweatpants, jeggings, etc.
- 5-7 tank tops and tops
- 3-5 shirts or t-shirts
- 1-2 light sweaters or jackets for the evenings (more if the weather is rainy or chilly).
- 1-3 pajama sets for adults
- Undies pack at least 1 for each day
- 1-2 pairs of socks if you are bringing sneakers
- 2-3 pairs of shoes – 2 pairs of sandals or open shoes and a pair of sneakers
Beach and Swimwear
You will need your beach wear throughout your vacation. Therefore, they are a must-pack. Here are the types of swimwear to pack for a family trip with teens.
Male Teens and Adults
- 2-3 Swimwear. There are different types of swimwear for male teens and adults, including watershorts, aquashorts, boardshorts jammers, briefs, and long swimming trunks. Also, consider you will be engaging in activities such as snorkeling, board sports, kayaking, surfing, and paddle boarding. If so, bring at least a pair of wetsuits and dry suits for snorkeling, scuba diving, and board sports. They have close knitting to retain body heat during prolonged immersion. On the other hand, bring at least a pair of rash guards for surfing, kayaking, and paddle boarding. They are looser than wetsuits and offer enhanced UV protection. You may also want to pack swim shirts for sun protection on your upper body if you wear swimming shorts. The Kanu Surf Men’s Swim shirts are a great option. They are UPF 50+ rated.
- 1-3 pairs of beach footwear. Some people prefer to walk barefoot on the beach. However, it is advisable to bring some footwear for the beach as the sand may be too hot or there might be sharp objects on the ground. Some beach vacation footwear options for men and teens include rubber flip-flops and water shoes. Rubber flip-flops are great for walking on the shoreline, while closed-toe water shoes are suitable for walking in the water or for sports such as kayaking. You may also need a pair of light sneakers for beach games and sports such as beach football and volleyball.
- 1-2 Beach towels. If you are staying at a hotel or VRBO vacation rental on your beach trip, the property may provide beach towels as part of your accommodation package. However, most rentals may require you to bring your own towels. Therefore, pack a light and easy-to-dry beach towel for each person. The towel should be sand-resistant and water-absorbent yet light and easily portable.
- 1 Drawstring bag to carry your swimwear.
- 1 wet bag or Ziploc bag to carry wet clothes after your activities at the beach.
- Beach chairs/ beach blanket. If you are driving to your destination, bring beach chairs. If flying or you have limited luggage capacity, pack a beach spread.
Female Teens and Adults
- 2-3 swimsuits. You can pack bikinis, one-piece swimsuits, or trunks per your preference. Pack the appropriate swimwear if you engage in watersports, such as kayaking, surfing, and snorkeling.
- 1-2 Swimsuit cover-ups. A light and airy cover-up is an excellent option for female teens and adults to wear over their swimwear when not in the water. If you do not have a cover-up, you can wear a dress or a romper over your swimsuit.
- 1-3 pairs of beach footwear, e.g., flip flops, closed-toe water shoes, or light sporting shoes.
- 1-2 Beach towels. You will need it to dry yourself up after swimming and spread out on the lounge chair.
- Wet bag or Ziploc bag.
- Beach tote bag for carrying the items you will be using at the beach.
- Beach spread. For laying or sitting on as your hang out on the beach.
Additional Items to Bring to the Beach
- Reusable water bottle
- Snorkeling set if you will be snorkeling.
- Swimming goggles
- Inflatable floaters or life vests
- Portable cooler.
- Snacks and food. Pack healthy snacks such as granola bars, fruits, fresh juice, and other preferred beverages to keep you fueled throughout the day.
- Napkins
- Bottle opener
- Plastic bags for trash
Sun Protection Items
- Sunglasses with strong sun protection and anti-glare feature.
- Sun hats. Large straw hats are both functional and fashionable for female adults and teens, while baseball caps will do for male adults and teens.
- Lip balm with SPF to protect your lips from the sun and prevent dryness.
- Sunscreen. You can use the same sunscreen for adults and teens. Ensure that your preferred sunscreen has SPF 30 and above. It should be formulated with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, or both. It should protect both UVA and UVB rays. Apply the sunscreen throughout your body and reapply every 2 hours when outdoors.
- Beach umbrella or tent
- Optional: UV shirts or UV suits, rash guards, and swim vests
Personal Hygiene
- Hairbrush and combs
- Lotion
- Deodorant and/or perfume
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Soap
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Hairdryer
- Hair cream
- Nail clipper
- Feminine products
- Makeup bag
- Hair ties
- Accessories such as earrings, bracelets, and necklaces
Documents
- Government I.D such as driver’s license and passport
- Travel insurance
- Travel documents
- Cash
- Credit cards
- Birth certificate for teens under 16 years
Medication and Hygiene
- Prescription medicine
- Disinfecting wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Painkillers for adults and teens
- Vitamins for adults and teens
- First-aid kit, e.g., band-aids, antibacterial ointment, sunburn treatment such as aloe vera gel, bandages
- Bug spray
- Sea sickness medicine if you will be taking boat rides
- Drying ear drops to get water out of the ears
Entertainment and Technology
- Cellphones
- Waterproof pouches for cellphones
- Waterproof camera, e.g., GpPro
- Selfie stick
- Power banks to keep your devices charged up at the beach
- Device cords and chargers
- Books or e-reader
- Headphones
- Portable waterproof speakers to listen to music at the beach or in your rental.
- Teen’s tablets and iPads
- Board games
- Deck of cards
Conclusion
When preparing for a family beach vacation with teens, you must pack all the essentials to ensure you have a relaxing and enjoyable time. A few must-haves include comfortable and casual clothes, swimwear, beach footwear, beach towels, sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats. You can also pack books, portable electronic devices for entertainment, camera, games, etc. Also, ensure to pack a beach first aid kit, your prescription medicine, and some painkillers.
The above is a general packing list for a family beach vacation with teens. Depending on what you think you need, you may pack fewer or more things. It is advisable to read other travelers’ reviews of your destination to get a clear sense of what to expect. The reviews will also help you fine-tune your itinerary and accurately decide on the items to bring. Also, check the weather forecast for your destination and pack accordingly.
Packing for teens is different from packing for younger kids. Allow them a say in what to pack, create a packing list together, and let them pack for themselves. Once they are done, confirm that everything is packed and, if necessary, help them organize the items to fit better in the luggage.