Tips for traveling with teens

NEW YORK (AP) - Family travel falls into three distinct phases. First, there's the exhausting period of travel with crying babies who need diapers, bottles, strollers, car seats and naps. Then come the golden years, when kids can handle long rides and long walks, and when they bask in their family's love and attention.

But that's followed by the teenage years, which can be nearly as challenging as the toddler years - because to a teenager, any place a parent wants to go is by definition uncool.

It's tempting to fantasize about leaving them home (surely they can take care of themselves!), but they might throw wild parties in your absence, so you'll have to bring them along. Here are several strategies to help you survive.

Find appealing activities: Teenage brains crave danger. Parental brains crave security. Fortunately, many activities are both thrilling and basically safe, like zip-lining, whitewater rafting and roller coasters.

Teens also like trying new things. Let them try surfing, stand-up paddleboards or snorkeling.

Send them off: Let teens explore on their own as much as possible, whether the setting is a theme park, mall, beach, festival or neighborhood. If everyone has cellphones, it's easy to keep track of their whereabouts, but you can also plan the old-fashioned way: "See you at 4 p.m. at the fountain (or the car or the hotel room)."

Wiggle room: Being flexible about itineraries and letting kids help plan is critical to family travel happiness. There's also no harm in letting them sleep in or hang out at the pool while you visit an art show or antiques store.