| Teens are usually the toughest group to please while | | | | reviewing these events and destinations, you will find |
| on family vacation, but New York City is a virtual | | | | that there are several that will appeal to your |
| treasure chest of enjoyable, safe activities for | | | | teenagers. |
| teenagers. While they are at an age where they don't | | | | Teenage girls often want to go shopping and New |
| want to do many of the activities designed for kids, | | | | York City has some of the trendiest, and expensive, |
| this gives you the opportunity to share with them more | | | | boutiques in the world. A great alternative is to visit a |
| 'grown up' entertainment. If your kids are like most, they | | | | few of the consignment or secondhand shops that |
| won't want to let on that there are having a good time, | | | | abound in New York. While you may not get a good |
| but there is so much to do they will soon forget their | | | | reaction at first, you should persist in offering this |
| cool front and start really enjoying themselves. It is | | | | alternative. Many times you can find awesome deals |
| almost like New York was created with teenagers in | | | | on 'vintage clothing' items that have hardly been worn |
| mind with activities that range from amusement parks | | | | at all. Once your teen realizes she can pick up several |
| to cyber cafes, from bookstores to malls and video | | | | nice additions to her wardrobe for a tiny fraction of the |
| arcades, to sporting events and sporting complexes. | | | | price of new, you will have won her over. There are |
| The real trick to making sure that your teen has a | | | | also fantastic outlet malls in New York that offer |
| good time is to compromise with them. You might | | | | discounts on new items you can't get anywhere else. |
| want to agree to go watch the skateboarding in the | | | | Teenage boys can have a great time at places like |
| park in exchange for them suffering through a visit to | | | | Game Time Nation where they can play video games |
| a museum with you. You and your teen may both | | | | for endless hours. You can even try your hand at a |
| discover some thing to appreciate about the other's | | | | few of them, or play a few games with your teen if |
| activities. Compromise is something you should do on | | | | you are feeling brave. This is a great activity to share |
| all your vacations with your teen. It not only exposes | | | | with your teen, but don't expect any mercy in the |
| both of you to new experiences, it gets them involved | | | | latest battle game. You may want to find out what |
| in the planning of the activities during the vacation. | | | | their current favorites are and have them familiarize |
| They learn to weigh the options of the things they | | | | you with them before you leave for New York. Even |
| would like to do and pick the ones that matter most to | | | | if you can't stand playing these games, your boy will |
| them. This is an excellent skill for them to learn as early | | | | really look forward to spending time with you at the |
| as possible in life. You might try this same technique | | | | arcade. |
| with younger children and allow them a voice in what's | | | | Always remember that you want your teen to have |
| going on the vacation. If you offer age appropriate | | | | some fond memories of the family vacation. This |
| choices to them and allow them to select the one they | | | | makes it necessary to do what they want to do for at |
| want, they will feel included. | | | | least part of the time, but involving them in the planned |
| There are more interesting things to do in New York | | | | activities pays many dividends the overall success of |
| than you will ever have time to do and the great thing | | | | the vacation. The vacation can be a great time to |
| is you don't have to spend a lot of cash to have fun. If | | | | have your teen learn more about making choices and |
| you do a little research before leaving on vacation, you | | | | compromising with others. Who knows, they may |
| will find many events that are free of charge or cost | | | | even discover some things they enjoy doing while |
| very little. You can also buy passes that permit free | | | | going with other members of the family on their |
| entrance to several attractions for a single low fee. By | | | | selected activities. |