When children are small they come with their own challenges on holiday (keeping them safe from dangers as they toddle off behind an unknown corner!). With teenagers and young adults the challenge is definitely more about keeping them occupied.
No one wants to hear the words "I'm bored" when on holiday (especially if you're actually having a nice time relaxing, reading the paper and having a cup of coffee). This list of the five best things to plan with teens (or any active age really) is our tried-and-tested list of great activities from your North Devon glamping holiday at Berridon Farm.
LEARN SURFING IN BUDE
Perfect for great weather, or not so good - you're going to get wet anyway so this could be a great wet weather activity. Learning to surf is the ideal activity for sporty teens or for those that you want to be a little more active. Plan a lesson with a surf school who will supply all the equipment you need (surfboard and wetsuit) and give you a lesson on the beach before heading into the small waves to try catching a wave.
Those not in the surf lesson can stand on the beach and watch and be ready with a camera to catch that important moment when the surfer catches a wave - perfect Instagram moment for both proud parents and nonchalent teens.
DO have a team hot chocolate after the surf lesson at Life's A Beach overlooking the beach so the new surfers can relive their experience
DON'T let them give up if they don't catch a wave in first five minutes, when they do (and most people manage to catch a wave on their first lesson) they'll thank you being there with the camera
TO BOOK Big Blue Surf School
2. TIME-TRIAL AT NORTH DEVON AQUA PARK
This is for all kids big and small (you just need to be able to swim and be over 6 (do check with the aqua park for latest regulations). Situated in a lake just off the A39 the Aqua Park has a hot of slides, obstacles, trampolines and more to test even the most sure-footed teen.
Take a stopwatch and time how long it takes to complete a circuit - the Aqua Park has a rank of the fastest times so you may even get on the wall of fame.
After your Aqua Park session if you really want to tire everyone out you can book a Ringo ride in one of the other lakes at the site too.
DO book ahead as the Aqua Park gets very busy during school holidays
DON'T miss the briefing before heading onto the park as the highly trained team want to make sure everyone has a great time
TO BOOK North Devon Aqua Park
3. SEA AND LAKE SWIMMING
When your teen has learned to swim in indoor and hotel pools they'll find something intrinsically adventurous about swimming in the wild.
Close to your Berridon Farm Cabin you'll find a host of the most thrilling swimming spots in the south west. From the lakes and rivers of Dartmoor where you'll find clear, bracing, pools which will make you feel like you're on a film set as you enjoy the water, to the north coast Atlantic sea.
Bude is famous across the world for its sea-pool (and rightly so) but the image above is the lesser-known tidal pool in Bude. Tommy's Pit opened in 1859 and was built as a men's bathing pool. Men paid 2d to swim and a penalty of a penny if they were caught naked! Today there are no charges for either of Bude's tidal sea pools.
DO ask us for Dartmoor swimming spots to head to for the day
DON'T forget a picnic, the best outdoor swimming spots tend to be away from shops and cafes (though Bude luckily has lots of spots)
4. MOUNTAIN BIKING
There are a host of cycle paths and trails in north Devon (Camel Valley and Tamar Trail are two favourites) but for high adrenaline rides to keep active teens happy we'd recommend heading slightly further afield to Haldon Forest where you'll find trails to suit every ability.
Haldon Forest is 3,500 of Forestry England woodland and if you want to let the bikers off to explore at their own pace there are plenty of walks and hikes for those who prefer two feet rather than two wheels. There is also a cafe which opens daily.
DO choose a trail to suit the right cycling ability
DON'T forget ID in order to hire bikes
TO BOOK Forest Cycle Hire
5. LEARN TO WAKEBOARD
Another water activity (well when you're in this part of the world we recommend taking part!) is wakeboarding. Berridon Farm is lucky to be just a short drive from the best wakeboarding lake in the south west where dedicated instructors will be on hand to give person lessons depending on people's skill level.
Whether you're a complete beginner, have maybe waterskied or snowboarding before, or have tried wakeboarding behind a boat, the team at the Wake Park will you advice and tips to get up on a wakeboard and maybe even try some of the jumps.
DO Try a pizza from the Wake Park's pizza oven - delicious and a great reward after a tiring wakeboarding session
DON'T forget to try paddle boarding if the wakeboarding looks too energetic
TO BOOK - North Devon Wake Park