It has been a long-standing tradition for many teenagers to do something fun and memorable on their spring break. For a lot of teens, it can be the opportunity to go on a vacation without their parents for the first time. If you’re a teenage student who has been studying hard throughout the whole school year, then you surely deserve an exciting spring break!
There are many destinations and activities to choose from to design a special spring holiday. To inspire you and help you sort through your options, we've listed some of the best spring break ideas for teenagers you may want to consider.
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1. Hit the Beaches
Spending spring break at the beach is, of course, the most common and popular activity among teens and college students at that time of the year. However, if you want to skip traditional locations like Mexico and Florida to escape overcrowded destinations and spend more quality time with your friends, there are other getaways you may want to consider.
Instead, spend your spring break in surfing spots like Santa Monica and Santa Cruz in California. Alternatively, you can go to the Midwest and take a trip to a cabin along the shores of Lake Michigan. Actually, because it is the off-season, there are great discounts to be found. Over on the East Coast, you can also find warm weather in attractive beach towns like Myrtle Beach in South Carolina or Virginia Beach in Virginia.
2. Go On a Relaxation Retreat
If you want to spend your spring break in a more relaxing manner, a great option is to go on a relaxation retreat. Who wouldn’t want to have some quality time to recharge after months of stressful school work? Consider this break as your well-earned R&R.
You will find a lot of opportunities to relax and take a deep breath. Many yoga groups organize multi-day yoga trips and retreats at this time of the year. Otherwise, you can set up your own retreat getaway, either with your family or friends! Another spring break idea for teenagers is a spa stay. Two of our favorite locations for some fun pampering are The Spa at Hotel Hershey in Pennsylvania, which even offers a variety of chocolate treatments, and Canyon Ranch in Tucson, Arizona.
3. Volunteer Somewhere
Are you looking to do something that is not only unique and fun, but will also be helpful and make a positive impact on the world? This is one of the spring break ideas for teenagers that many people overlook.
If you're keen to give back, it is not hard to find a cool volunteer opportunity suitable for you! Helping a community is a chance to learn new skills, make new friends, and build your resume all at once. But above all, you can take this time to reflect on your interests and discover your real passions.
Do something meaningful in your volunteer field of interest, such as handing out custom pins to animal protection organizations. GSJJ is a good place that provides exquisite custom pins at low prices.
4. Go On a Road Trip
There are many spring break ideas for teenagers, and going on a road trip is another common choice for teens. It is fun and doesn't really require a big budget. Ask your best friends to join, set up a good playlist, and plan out your route! You can stop at the best attractions and events along the way.
5. Be a Local Tourist
If you don’t have gas money to fund your road trip, an even cheaper alternative is to explore your own town and be a tourist in your local area! It may not sound as exciting as some of the other options on this list, but we often take our hometowns for granted and stop making the most of what they have to offer after a few years.
Wherever you're from, we're sure that there are a lot of cool things that you’ve never experienced even though you have lived there most of your life. Browse through your local visitor center online for activities you can do, and places you can discover.
6. Explore Cities
Another solid spring break option for teens is to visit a major metropolis and have a week-long urban adventure. Use your spring break time to explore cities like New York City, New Orleans, Chicago, Los Angeles, or San Francisco. There is a lot to see and discover in these bustling cities. Tour the city's famous attractions or go to restaurants and try some of the local specialties.
We all know big cities can be pricey, but thankfully, there are ways around that! For cheap lodging check prices on cozycozy. The platform is a great place to find affordable accommodation on your city break.
7. Attend Music Festivals
There are a lot of annual music festivals taking place in spring. So if you still don’t have an idea of what to do on your spring break, planning to catch one of them could be a great option.
In March, you can attend the legendary South by Southwest or SXSW in Austin, Texas. The event is a hybrid of a music festival and a tech conference, which makes it a perfect event for the geeky-cool teens. Another very famous festival is Coachella, an indie music festival set in a little vale in Southern California.
In The Big Easy, the New Orleans Jazz Festival features a diverse set of modern pop stars together with jazz artists. On top of that, it is held in one of the country’s best vacation destinations and one of our favorite cities in the US.
8. Have Fun at Amusement Parks
Going to an amusement park during spring break is perfect for teens who want to spend quality time with their family. While Disneyland and Disney World are some of the more common choices, do not overlook smaller amusement parks. Aside from the fact that they are normally cheaper, they are also less crowded.
9. Take an Epic Adventure Trip
How about taking this opportunity to head off on a big adventure abroad? Whether you've always dreamed of hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, following the Silk Road in Central Asia, riding the Trans-Siberian, or hiking the Kilimanjaro, now could be the time to fulfill one of your travel dreams!
A great way to do this and make friends along the way is to join a group adventure tour. While most organizers only open their adventure trips to young people over 18, Intrepid Travel, one of our favorite providers of small-group, off-the-beaten-path adventure tours for young people, welcomes teenagers aged 15+ on most tours as long as they're accompanied by an adult.
The good news is, this doesn't have to be your parents, so start convincing your cool older sibling or cousin to join you on this expedition! Intrepid Travel has incredible deals on last-minute tours, so check out these exciting options to save up to 25%!
These are only nine of countless spring break ideas for teenagers you can consider. But aside from thinking about the best spring break ideas for teens, safety should also be a priority. We want to encourage you to think about safety first and to make healthy choices throughout your spring break. The great majority of teens will have harmless fun on their spring break and come home in one piece. That said, sadly, it is not uncommon for students to fall victim to robbery, date rape, alcohol poisoning, assault, and even murder.
Research shows that most of these cases involve alcohol or drug abuse. To help you avoid these incidents, here are some tips you should always keep in mind.
Tip #1: Don't Leave the Country Without Travel Insurance
We know, that's kind of a boring topic! But even if you're in perfect health, all sorts of mishaps can happen on your trip - and they can be very costly. You don't want to find yourself stranded in a foreign country with a situation that you're not sure how to handle, and even more worryingly, end up with a large medical bill you're unable to pay.
Having a reliable travel medical insurance will not only give you (and your parents!) peace of mind, it can also help make your life a lot easier if something goes wrong. For teenagers, we recommend SafetyWing for its flexibility and affordable price. Starting at just $1.32 per day, there is simply no reason to skimp on it!
Tip #2: Have a Buddy System
This just means having a good circle of friends. It is also a good idea to always have friends with you when going to a place you are not familiar with. Spring breakers are often targets for local scammers and criminals to take advantage of, especially when they're alone, particularly because most college students feel invulnerable. So, as much as possible, make sure never to be alone.
Tip #3: Avoid Drinking at All Costs
If possible, try not to drink. In the US, the legal age for drinking is 21, so if you're American don’t even try! Keep in mind that you can have fun without alcohol or drugs. As mentioned earlier, most crime-related incidents that happen during spring break involve alcohol and drugs, so do your parents and yourself a favor and be a mature and responsible teenager.
Tip #4: Watch your Drinks
Unfortunately, ladies should be more vigilant when at a party or in a crowded place with strangers. No matter what you're drinking, do not leave it out of your sight. There are cases in which men put "date rape drug" into ladies’ drinks until they lose consciousness and then take advantage of them.
Tip #5: Protect Yourself from the Sun
Having your skin burnt by the sun can cause lasting skin damage, and can also ruin a fun getaway. It may seem minor, but it is important for you to have your sunscreen with you at all times to protect your skin from strong sun rays. It is also wise to keep drinking plenty of water to make sure you stay hydrated.
Note: If your spring break explorations are going to include reef areas or fragile ecosystems, make sure to invest in reef-friendly, mineral sunscreen to protect our planet!
Tip #6: Pick a Hotel with a Safe Box
It's important to choose a hotel that offers a safe box to its guests. Luckily, most hotels have them these days. And if not, you can request one when you book your room. You can leave all your important travel documents and valuables in the safe, including your passport, credit cards, jewelry, money, etc.
Tip #7: Know Some Basic Self-Defense
Knowing how to defend yourself in the event of an unforeseen attack can be very useful. There are short self-defense classes you can attend to learn the basics. You could also consider mixed martial arts classes. If you don’t have time for this, then make sure to have a pepper spray with you at all times.
The ritual of celebrating spring break has been relished by many adventurous teenagers for generation. This happens only once a year, so it's important to choose an activity that will make your spring break memorable. Hopefully, this list of spring break ideas for teenagers and our tips on how to keep yourself safe will help you design an unforgettable trip.
Do you know any other spring break ideas for teenagers that we should have added to this list? Any destinations or events that are worth checking out at this time of the year? Let us know in a comment below!