Days out with teens

Planning a fun-filled day out with teenagers can be both exciting and challenging (with an audience that’s not always the easiest to please!). So why not let loose and find some exciting activities that will capture their interests and bring you closer together?

Whether you're looking for thrilling outdoor adventures or engaging indoor experiences, there are many options to choose from.  For heart-pumping adventures, check out theme parks like Alton Towers or Thorpe Park. These parks have rides and attractions that are perfect for teenagers who love to test their limits. If you're looking for more of a splash, head to a water park like Liquid Leisure or Waterworld. These parks have water slides, wave pools, and other water-based activities that are sure to keep your teenagers cool in the hot weather and entertained. 

If your teenagers prefer indoor activities, there are plenty of options to choose from. Escape rooms are a great way to challenge their problem-solving skills and work together as a team. While museums and exhibitions can be fun, educational and surprisingly engaging, particularly if they focus on topics that your teenagers are interested in.

Whatever the teen in your life’s interests, there’s a whole host of activities indoor or outdoors to keep them entertained. Plus, you can Save up to 57% on admission tickets to theme parks, attractions, zoos, aquariums and destination days out through Boundless membership. Click here to find out more.

Outdoor activities

From heart-pounding rides at theme parks designed specifically to cater to their age group, to the exhilarating splashes and slides of water parks, the options for outdoor activities with teens are endless. If you're looking for a more immersive and nature-filled experience, hiking trips through scenic landscapes offer the chance to explore breathtaking trails and soak in stunning vistas. 

Theme parks for teenagers

For an exhilarating day out with teenagers, theme parks offer a whole host of thrilling adventures. Alton Towers boasts heart-pounding roller coasters like The Smiler, an intense ride not for the faint of heart, along with other attractions like the Forbidden Journey and the Alton Towers Dungeon. Thorpe Park is another enticing choice, featuring towering and fast-paced rides like The Swarm and Saw the Ride specifically aimed at teenagers. Drayton Manor and Legoland Windsor are ideal for families with younger teens, with highlights including the Black Hole water ride, The Dragon and Lego Ninjago, The Ride. Chessington World of Adventures offers a mix of thrilling rides, water attractions ideal for mixed age group visitors. Plus, as a Boundless member you can save on entry to a choice of theme parks and many more through our exclusive deals and discounts on days out. 

Water parks for teens

Embark on a splashing adventure with your teenage companions at some of the finest water parks in the UK. Located in Blackpool, the sprawling Sandcastle Waterpark reigns supreme as the largest indoor waterpark in the country. Prepare for an adrenaline rush as you conquer over 18 exhilarating slides and attractions, including the awe-inspiring record-holder, The Storm, the tallest indoor waterslide in the world. In Stoke-on-Trent, Waterworld awaits, an indoor/outdoor waterpark offering more than 20 slides and attractions (plus Boundless members can save £6 on entry through Kids Pass). Then there’s Liquid Leisure, a pair of two excellent water parks located on natural lakes in Windsor and Shepperton, each location promises a fun-filled selection of inflatable slides and attractions. 

Canoe Safari with teens

While a wetland bird reserve might not sound like a teenage dream at first, WWT Slimbridge comes with a few exciting extras that might just make a birdwatcher of your teen yet. Instead of walking around the beautiful site, why not grab a paddle and spy some unique wildlife from an entirely new perspective on a fun, kilometre long, Canoe Safari trail. Sit back and relax as you see creatures including dragonflies, warblers, ducks and even water voles on this jungly excursion around Slimbridge’s winding waterways. Plus Boundless members get free unlimited access to all 10 WWT sites around the UK (canoes are priced at £10 per boat and can seat up to three people).

Hiking trips for teens

When broaching the topic of hiking with the teens in your life, you might notice a distinct change in their demeanour—grumpy faces, rolled eyes—as if you've just shattered their Wi-Fi dreams. And even if you're fortunate enough to have teenaged adventurers in your midst, discovering suitable hikes and walks can still prove challenging. Striking the right balance is key: avoiding excessive fatigue (and the constant complaints that come with it) while ensuring the challenge is enough to elevate your experience above just a leisurely stroll. That’s why Boundless has curated a comprehensive guide to getting into hiking for the first time (and involving your teens, too). Plus, there are a variety of excellent hikes curated specifically for families with teenagers which should take the hassle out of planning your next outdoor excursion.

Coasteering for teens

If your teen is keen on something a bit more extreme than a simple hike, you could try some invigorating coasteering, an adventure sport that blends hiking, rock climbing, swimming, and cliff jumping. Unleash the inner adventurer in your teenager as they embrace the physical and mental challenges that coasteering offers. Essentially, coasteering is a fancy name for clambering along the rugged, untamed coastline of the UK and doing some cliff jumping while you're there. Click here to find out more about this adrenaline-inducing passtime.

Indoor activities

If the weather isn’t playing ball, there are also lots of exciting indoor adventures ideal for teenagers whatever their interests. Why not engage their problem-solving skills and teamwork in a thrilling escape room or unleash their curiosity with fascinating museums, offering interactive exhibits that could even inspire a future career. Read on for our picks…

Escape rooms for teens

Themed escape rooms offer a genuinely exciting and engaging activity for teens when you’re keen to stay indoors. Filled with immersive challenges, teamwork opportunities, and thrilling storylines, these interactive adventures provide a memorable and adrenaline-fueled experience. Teens can put their problem-solving skills to the test to solve puzzles, think laterally and meet challenges head on against the clock, all while creating lasting memories with family in the process. Plus, you could save up to 20% on an experience when you book through Kids Pass as a Boundless member. If you’re keen to find an escape room near you, click here to find a rundown of some of the UK’s best. 

Go thrift shopping with teens

Teenage years are the ideal time for young adults to start exploring their personal style, and there’s no better way to celebrate this than by diving into some of the UK's coolest vintage markets to shop for stylish clothing. Portobello Street Market in London is a must-visit in the capital while COW vintage shops can be found around the country, (although these can be pricier than some independent offerings). It’s also worth checking Facebook for 'Vintage Kilo Sales' events where you can fill a bag of clothes and pay by weight. Local charity shops also offer affordable alternatives, often hiding designer gems among their donated items, the perfect way to enjoy some retail therapy without breaking the bank!

Best museums and exhibitions for teens

The UK is home to some of the world’s finest museums offering captivating experiences for all ages, here we’ve taken a look at just a few that are sure to engage even the sulkiest of teens. One must-visit is the Horniman Museum in London, where families can explore global cultures and the natural environment while enjoying the beautiful gardens, aquarium, Butterfly House, and the famously overstuffed walrus. In Sheffield, the National Emergency Services Museum offers interactive galleries, climbing walls, and driving simulators that provide hands-on experiences for teens. Leeds City Museum in Yorkshire showcases the story of Leeds and its communities, including a 3,000-year-old mummy. In Derby, the Museum of Making inspires the next generation with hands-on activities and family workshops. Finally, the London Transport Museum takes teens on an interactive journey through the history of London's transport system. 

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London with teens

Hopefully the teen in your life isn’t yet too cool to embark on a captivating journey into the enchanting world of Harry Potter at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. Located just a short train ride away from the heart of London, this mesmerising attraction is the perfect day out for teenagers seeking a magical adventure. Step behind the curtain and delve into the captivating universe of the eight Harry Potter films, where extraordinary sets, captivating props, and interactive exhibits await. From the iconic Great Hall and Forbidden Forest to the mystical Gringotts and bustling Diagon Alley, every corner unveils a piece of cinematic magic. Immerse yourself in the whimsical journey with a trip aboard the legendary Hogwarts Express. Plus, Boundless members can enjoy the added delight of a remarkable 20% discount on your booking through Virgin Experience Days. 

Whether it’s football, motoring, steam trains or space, there’s a museum or day out to suit whatever the teenager in your life is interested in.

Do more with Boundless

Working or retired from the public sector or civil service? Get free entry to top attractions, discounts on restaurants and savings on high-street brands. Plus, dozens of other deals on holidays, experiences and more! To find out more, visit Boundless membership.