Fun Things to Do with Teenagers in Devon

Days Out with Teenagers in Devon: Fun Activities for Families

Planning a family day out when you have teenagers can be tricky. Gone are the days when a simple playground or National Trust trail would keep everyone happy, suddenly they’re looking for something a bit more exciting.

Luckily, Devon is packed with activities that are perfect for older kids – from adrenaline-fuelled adventures on the coast to free outdoor challenges on Dartmoor.

Whether your teenager loves water sports, climbing, cycling or just exploring somewhere new, here are some ideas for great days out with teenagers in Devon.

Fabulous Water Based Fun for Teens in Devon

Paddleboarding SUP and Kayaking in Devon

Devon’s estuaries and sheltered bays are perfect for stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and kayaking, and teenagers often enjoy the independence of being out on the water.

If you’re visiting East Devon and need to hire board or have lessons there are some great options including:

SUP and kayak hire in Exeter with Saddles and Paddles

Kayaking tours on the Exe Estuary with Sea Kayak Exmouth

Lessons and equipment hire with Edge Watersports in Exmouth

Companies all around the coast offer both lessons and simple hire, so beginners can try it safely while more confident paddlers can explore further afield.

Many people now have their own SUP boards our you can borrow one. Popular paddling locations include:

The Exe Estuary, The River Dart, The Salcombe Estuary and the coastline around Sidmouth and Budleigh Salterton  – you can read all about great places to paddle here.

It might take a few attempts to stay upright on a paddleboard – but that’s half the fun.

Coasteering Along the Devon Coast

If your teenagers enjoy a real bit of adventure, coasteering is one of the most exciting ways to experience Devon’s coastline.

This activity involves scrambling across rocks, swimming through sea caves and jumping into the sea from safe cliff ledges, all with experienced guides.

One well-known provider is Rock Solid Coasteering near Torquay, which runs guided sessions exploring hidden caves and rock formations along the South Devon coast and there are 2 or 3 companies offering it in North Devon.

It’s a brilliant activity for teens because it combines climbing, swimming and exploring – and usually plenty of adrenaline and laughter along the way. Parents can watch safely from the shore!

RIB Rides and Boat Trips

If your teenager enjoys speed, a RIB ride along the coast can be a brilliant experience.

These high-speed inflatable boats take you along the coastline for an exhilarating ride.  A number of places offer these trips such as Ilfracombe, Torquay, Salcombe and Exmouth.

Some more relaxed options include traditional boat trips from coastal towns such as Stuart Line Cruises or Plymouth Boat Trips  – often with the chance to see wildlife such as seals, dolphins or seabirds.

One particularly lovely option is a trip with Beer Boats, small self drive fishing boats offering short trips around Lyme Bay from the beach at Beer with fishing rods included.

Seeing the cliffs from the sea really gives you a different perspective on the coastline with the Jurassic Coast being particularly interesting.

Inflatable Aqua Parks

For pure fun (and a lot of falling into the water), inflatable aqua parks are hard to beat.

These giant floating obstacle courses include slides, climbing walls, balance beams and trampolines on the water.

There are several around Devon such as the North Devon Aqua Park and Adrenalin Quarry near Plymouth, they’re especially popular with teenagers visiting with friends.

For a more traditional waterpark head to Splashdown Quaywest in Paignton. Expect plenty of laughter – and possibly a few spectacular wipe-outs.

Fun Things for Teenagers to do in Devon on Dry Land

Treetop Adventures and High Ropes

For teenagers who enjoy climbing and zip wires, treetop adventure courses are always a hit.

One of the best known in Devon is Go Ape at Haldon Forest, where you’ll find rope bridges, Tarzan swings and long zip lines through the trees.

These courses are designed to challenge balance and confidence while still being great fun. There is a smaller but similar course near Axminster in East Devon The Tunnel Tree Tops.

Adventure activity centres across Devon also offer climbing and outdoor challenges. For example, Reach Outdoors and the Ultimate Adventure Centre which run a range of outdoor adventures.

Segway Adventures

If you’re looking for something a bit different, Segway tours can be surprisingly entertaining.

Many woodland parks and activity centres offer guided sessions where you learn how to control the Segway before heading out along forest trails. Examples are Go Segways in   Cann Woods near Plymouth and Exeter Segway Safari Centre at Escot Park in East Devon.

Teenagers usually pick it up very quickly – sometimes a bit quicker than the adults!

Cycling the Devon Trails

Devon has some fantastic cycling routes, many of which follow old railway lines and are traffic-free, making them ideal for family days out.

A few favourites include:

The Tarka Trail (North Devon)
One of the most famous cycling routes in Devon, passing through beautiful countryside and coastal scenery.

The Granite Way (Okehampton)
A scenic route along the edge of Dartmoor with incredible views across the moor.

Drake’s Trail (Plymouth to Tavistock)
A great mix of woodland, viaducts and historic railway tunnels.

Exeter and the Exe Estuary
From Topsham hire bikes at Darts Farm or head into Exeter for Saddles and Paddles,  include the Star Cross Ferry in your choice of circular rides up to 25 miles exploring the area either side of the Estuary.

For good off road mountain bile adventures, head to Haldon Forest near Exeter (bike hire here), Woodbury Common in East Devon, Dartmoor or Exmoor.

Bike hire is available along many of these routes, so you don’t need to bring your own.

Walking with a Purpose

Not every day out needs to be expensive. Sometimes adding a bit of a challenge to a walk can make it far more appealing to teenagers.

Geocaching

Geocaching is essentially a real-world treasure hunt. Using a smartphone app, you search for hidden containers placed in parks, woods and towns.

There are thousands hidden across Devon, and it’s a great way to encourage teenagers to explore somewhere new. The better you get, the harder the caches are to find.

Dartmoor Letterboxing

Another classic Devon activity is letterboxing on Dartmoor which pre-dates GPS and the internet!.

Using clues and maps, you search for hidden boxes that contain stamps and logbooks. This does require map reading skills and plan ahead to be posted the catalogue. It’s surprisingly addictive and a great way to explore the quieter corners of Dartmoor.

Other low cost walking options include Treasure Trails which you can print or download and Mystery Guides (there is one set in Exeter) , which can be walking challenges or Treasure trails has driving ones as well.

Sometimes the simplest adventures – an ice cream (lots of suggestions here!), a walk along the coast and a bit of exploring – are the ones that teenagers remember most.

For walking trails or exploring Dartmoor, a comfortable pair of walking shoes makes a big difference. Brands like Nortiv 8 offer supportive outdoor footwear without the high price tag of some big-name hiking brands.

Free Fun for Teens

More ideas that are free or very cheap include

Rockpooling – who can find the most variety or creatures hiding in the pools as the tides are out  –  suggestions on where to search here

Crabbing on harbour walls along the coast or Fossil Hunting in West Dorset (Lyme Regis and Charmouth)

Clambering the Tors and searching for wild swimming spots on Dartmoor.

Rainy day Fun for Teenagers

Not keen on the rain then why not look for Indoor climbing and bouldering centres Exeter and Plymouth. There are also lots of Escape Rooms, ideal for  for rainy days

In Exeter the Underground Tunnels are really fascinating.

Flip Flops or Wellies?

For most of these adventures you’ll want trainers or water shoes, although if you’re heading out onto Dartmoor for letterboxing or exploring the moors, walking boots or wellies might still be the best option. 

Final Thoughts

Devon is one of those places where adventure is never far away. From kayaking along peaceful estuaries to jumping into the sea during a coasteering session, there are plenty of ways to keep teenagers entertained.

The key is finding activities that feel like an adventure rather than an organised day out – and fortunately Devon has plenty of those.

This is a collaborative post with Nortiv8.  Images are my own and also from Canva Pro.