How do I take DS on a surprise holiday?

[Bunnybigears]

For DS1s 13th birthday we have booked to fly to Barcelona, stay for 5 nights and include either watching a match at the Nou Camp (or taking the tour if there are no games on whilst we are there). We want it to be a surprise but can you actually surprise someone with a holiday that involves getting on a plane? Or do you just surprise them when they get to the airport? Because as far as I can see the game is pretty much going to be up at check in when he sees all the screens with 'Barcelona' written on them.

I think you surprise him the day before. That way he can make sure he's packed his favourite T-shirts or whatever.

Surely part of the fun of a holiday is the anticipation? Why not tell him about the holiday but save the Nou Camp thing as a surprise?

I took my three to London under the guise of "collecting Daddy from the airport"

he'd already taken the luggage with him in the car the previous weekend

and then suggested we go look at the planes.....and have a look on one,!

TBH they were 6, 8 and 11 so maybe a bit less wise than your 13 year old.

We got our DC (16, 14 and 10) to the airport, drove telling them we were driving to a surprise UK destination. Stopped for 'breakfast' at the airport and took the cases out the car as we didn't want them to get stolen! Told them once we were inside the airport and checking in.. ☺️

I’m with Teen . The anticipation of a firework exploding, watching its thin white line wavering into space, is as big as the bang itself.

I would tell him a few days before that you are going away partly because he is of an age he may be making plans of his own, the surprise is where, he finds out at the gate

Ok so sounds like the best idea is to tell him we are going away a few days before hand. I think we can still keep the Nou Camp bit a secret and maybe just happen to end up at it on the metro then see if we can have a look inside wink wink.