Most parents of teenagers know that they can be hard to handle and definitely hard to understand. It can be hard to find things to do with in Cairns with your teenager, because it seems they don’t even know themselves.
Although teens can be frustrating, they also have a lot of nice qualities far below the grumpy girl who shouts at you when you wake her up too early. Here are some fun things to do with teens that neither of you will be able to resist.
1. Food, food and more food
No teenager can resist the thought of eating any kind of food. Whether this be eating lunch with the family at the marina or a mother and daughter ice cream date on the esplanade, it is always great fun.
2. A trip to a waterfall
This is a great idea, whether you’re into swimming or sightseeing. There are a number of waterfalls to discover on the Atherton Tablelands. Some are easily accessible by car while others require a bit of a hike; plenty to suit all kinds of abilities and fitness levels.
3. The movies
Want to get out of the house, but don’t know where to go? The movies is always a great go-to. Check your local cinema’s website to see what’s currently showing, pick out a movie and get going. Who doesn’t love debating their opinions on a movie they have just watched?
4. Visit an island
In Cairns, we’re lucky that we have several islands nearby that are perfect to explore for a day trip, such as Fitzroy Island, Green Island and the Frankland Islands. They all have a large selection of things to do to suit anyone, such as swimming, snorkelling, hiking and relaxing. Though teenagers might not admit it, they do enjoy a fun family getaway.
5. Hike a mountain
Although this may not be comparable to the average stroll in the park, it will be a fun, active way to spend time together. There are loads of great hikes around FNQ, some with awesome swimming holes as a reward too.
6. Game night
A good competitive game night is a great way to have a whole family activity without the hassle of travelling out of home. A friendly yet competitive game is always a lot of fun, even if you do end up losing.
7. Play a video game
When we think family video game day, we don’t exactly mean Fortnite or Call of Duty. No matter how old you are, you can always enjoy a fun game of Mario Kart. Why not have a game day and break out Wii Sports and Just Dance for a competitive day of family fun? Shouting at the TV may be a normal response. The stakes are high!
8. Cooking
Whether you bake a cake or a five-course meal, cooking with family is always a whole lot of fun (As long as the house doesn’t burn down).
9. Let them choose
Though they can be indecisive, it’s always a good idea to see what your teen wants to do. Asking what they would prefer may get them excited about spending time together, and you may even end up doing something more interesting than you had expected.
