Keeping Teenagers Entertained
Keeping your teenager entertained on holidays
Teenage years can be tense territory to navigate as a parent. But taking your blossoming youth on holiday in Kiama is the perfect opportunity to reconnect, grow together and encourage an active and fulfilling lifestyle. Here’s how to keep your teen entertained, engaged and happy during your break – without their smartphone in tow.
Move it
Our beach and abundant natural backdrops are perfect for getting a good dose of Mother Nature during the school break. Recent research by University of East Anglia shows spending time outside has significant health benefits including reducing the risk of type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stress and high blood pressure. Sign up alongside your teen for a surf or stand-up paddleboarding lesson, head off a picturesque hike, set up a game of beach cricket or hire a kayak and explore the enriching area from a fresh angle.
Expert advice
Lure your teenager away from their digital addictions by encouraging them to learn a new skill or try a new experience. The challenge will be set, and your teen will have the whole holiday to master it. Getting young ones involved in a group activity is key, so suggest setting up a team or competition where a number of participants can take part. They might start a camp cook-off, learn an instrument or train together to last the distance around a section of the Kiama Coast Walk. If all other ideas fails, a good old-fashioned water fight is always a hit.
Break bond
Propose a coffee date to allow for some fulfilling one-on-one time with your growing teen. We’d suggest The Hungry Monkey or Milk and Honey for an exceptional caffeine hit. A relaxed setting is a great way to encourage them to open up and keep talking – something that often goes awry during the teenage years. This is a space to limit lectures and have balanced, meaningful conversations where you instead get the chance to find out more about your young adult’s current interests, passions and future dreams.
Light up
Celebrate your teen’s successes from the past year, and create precious memories together as you ring in the new year at our fantastic fireworks display. Pack a picnic rug and take the whole family along for a truly spectacular event, with daylight entertainment kicking off at 4pm. Treat your tastebuds with the array of delicious dishes at Eat Street, listen to live music in the Kiama Business Chamber Park and let the rides spark adrenaline at Laurie’s Carnival on Black Beach. Make sure you’ve secured a good spot to settle in and watch the skies explode with a kaleidoscope of colour and lights in the Kiama Coast Holiday Parks Laser Show.