Traveling With Tweens: The "Toughest Age to Please"
When we were kids in the 1980's, I don't think the word 'tween' or 'tweenager' was yet invented, or even a particularly relevant concept. You were a kid who played outside or with toys, and then eventually you became a teenager who just wanted to hang out with friends, rather than actively play with them. I distinctly remember one day around 7th grade when I went to my best friend's house, knocked on her backdoor as I had a million other times, and asked the mom if my friend could 'play'. As the word 'play' came out of my mouth, it suddenly sounded so stale, irrelevant, and childish. I guess you could say that is the day I went from being a kid to a teenager, but a tween phase between those two distinct timeframes wasn't particularly identifiable.
But times change, and as the mother of an 8.5-year-old in 2018, with nonstop technology, media, and connectedness, I can 100% verify that the tween phase is now a thing. We are just on the cusp of it at my house, and while we can still get away with toys and playing in the traditional sense, that is likely only because of the charming almost-three-year-old who also lives here and enjoys having a playmate.
The tween phase, which is generally thought to be from around 9 to 13 years-old, is unique because these kids aren't yet old or mature enough to have the relative freedom given to teenagers, but increasingly care what others think, and certainly don't want to be lumped in with "little kid" activities. On the flip side, they may actually enjoy some traditional kid activities, but only if it is framed as being something unique to their age range. If a kid's club serves children 3 - 12 years old together...forget about anyone 9 years old and up really wanting to go there.
So, how do you keep these still young, but looking to be 'cool' tweens happy on a vacation? Well first, I say mix in volunteer efforts to open their eyes and keep them grounded in reality, but besides that, hotels are starting to serve this tween market. In fact, they are being referred to as the "Hardest Hotel Guests to Please".
How hotels are keeping tweens happy
The Wall Street Journal hits on this topic today, and shares some great examples of what hotels are doing to keep tweens smiling. For example, the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando has a "Future Rock Star Suite" complete with a stage and you can even borrow a Fender guitar! My 'Voice' watching tween would be all over this. It doesn't hurt that this hotel is also one of the Universal Orlando properties that convey included Express Passes to all registered guests. This will help tremendously when you visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which is essentially tween-heaven.
I've also heard of some of the larger resorts or cruise ships beginning to offer 'clubs' just for tweens. As an example, the Disney Cruise Line has a club called Edge that is just for guests ages 11 to 14. Edge is open from 10AM - 1AM, and features big TVs, computers, video games, daily activities, and more. This way, the older tweens have a place just for them, protected from the too-littles and the too-bigs.
In the Bahamas, Atlantis has a similar Club Rush, which is an evening club for 9 to 13-year-olds where no parents are allowed. They have video games, iPads, widescreen movies, karaoke, and dancing. Personally, I think that Atlantis nailed the correct age-range for tweens, and Disney might need to shift their tween age range down just a bit since 10-year-olds would probably prefer to not be in the same club as 3-year-olds.
The Mohonk Mountain House isn't a well-known destination in the miles and points world, but if you are looking for an award-winning children's program, this place is worth a look. This "house" is a Victorian castle resort in the Hudson Valley, about 90 miles north of New York City. For overnight guests, they have complimentary individualized kid programs that divide children into Tykes (ages 2 – 3), Explorers (ages 4 – 6), Adventurers (ages 7 – 12), and Teens (13 - 17) and adjust for interests and abilities.
Keys to successfully entertain tweens on vacation
To me, there are two true hallmarks to a successful tween vacation. First, keep the tweens active with activities unique to that destination. This may be snow skiing, jet-skiing, horseback riding, snorkeling, or learning about marine life, but get them outside and busy. They may clutch their iPads tightly as you push them out the door, but peel them a little out of their comfort zone and watch them adjust.
The second hallmark of a successful tween program is getting them around others in their specific age range. This could be as young as 7 or 8 years and will top out around 12 or 13 years. If you group them in with kids before or beyond that tween sweet spot, you will likely end up with a tween that is either bored and disinterested or trying to act older than they need to in order to try and fit in with the teens.
While we are just entering this tween phase, I think it is also going to also be important as she creeps towards double-digits to have her own downtime and stay somewhat connected to her friends while we travel. For now, that means on "Animal Jam Rare Item Mondays", I try and let her get on my computer to the Animal Jam site long enough for her to get that item. That whole world of online games means nothing to me, but it is something important to her that she does with her friends.
What are your thoughts about the trend of hotels catering more to the tween demographic, and what first-hand experience do you have for successfully navigating travel with tweens?
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.